Nationwide — Monet Newton, a 24-year-old African American woman from Glendale, Arizona, was tragically killed in what police have described as a murder-suicide. Newton, who had just completed her master’s program, was found dead alongside her ex-boyfriend, Chase Cooper, 22, in her apartment near Union Hills Drive and the Loop 101 freeway on Tuesday. Both died of gunshot wounds, and authorities believe Cooper shot Newton before taking his own life.According to 11 Alive, Newton’s family had flown to Arizona to celebrate her significant achievement—graduating from a master’s program at Grand Canyon University. When she didn’t show up to pick them up from the airport, her family and friends grew concerned. Upon arriving at her apartment, they made the horrifying discovery of Newton and Cooper’s bodies.
“This family was preparing to celebrate such a special milestone, something that Monet worked so hard for, but the celebration turned to tragedy immediately,” Glendale Police Public Information Officer Jose Santiago said, highlighting the sudden shift from joy to grief.
Newton had earned her bachelor’s degree in 2022 and was set to walk in her master’s commencement ceremony just days after her death. Investigators revealed that Newton and Cooper had recently ended a brief romantic relationship, and it is believed that this break-up led to the tragic event.
The loss of Newton has left her family devastated, especially as they had traveled to commemorate her academic accomplishments, only to be met with such an unthinkable tragedy. Grand Canyon University confirmed that Newton had been studying through their online campus, and her death has shocked and saddened those who knew her.