A family who traveled to Arizona to celebrate the graduation of a 24-year-old graduate student found her dead in her apartment along with her ex-boyfriend in an apparent murder-suicide.
Monet Newton’s family became concerned when she didn’t pick them up at the Phoenix airport on Tuesday and didn’t answer their calls. They had flown to celebrate her earning her master’s degree from Grand Canyon University.
When Newton’s family arrived at her apartment in Gilbert shortly after noon that day, they found the student and her ex-boyfriend, Chase Cooper, 22, in what police described as a murder-suicide, according to 12 news.
The couple, who had had a brief romantic relationship, died from gunshot wounds inside the apartment. Police believe Cooper shot Newton before killing himself.
“This family was getting ready to celebrate something so special, something they worked so hard for, and the celebration immediately turned into tragedy,” Glendale Police Public Information Officer Jose Santiago said, according to 12 News.
The graduate student, who was studying psychology, was due to attend her graduation on Thursday.
Monet Newton, 24, was found dead in her apartment with her ex-boyfriend, Chase Cooper, by her family after she failed to pick them up at the airport.
Police believe Cooper shot Newton before killing himself on Tuesday, just days after the couple ended their relationship.
Newton and Cooper had been in a relationship for less than a year before breaking up just days before the shooting, according to AZ Family. They didn’t live together.
Police believe it was a murder-suicide since there were no signs of a break-in at the apartment and the family had to force their way in, Santiago said, according to AZ Family.
‘I know that when the relatives arrived, they tried to use a key, but there was a secondary lock on the door, so they couldn’t get in. And at that moment, the family friend had to use force to get in,” he said.
Grand Canyon University confirmed Newton’s attendance and said he received his bachelor’s degree from the school in 2022 and had been studying toward his master’s degree through an online program.
Police believe it was a murder-suicide, as there were no signs of a robbery in the apartment and the family had to break in.
Both Newtown and Cooper died from gunshot wounds.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Monet and her family during this difficult time,” the school said in a statement. “We are making counseling or support services available to any member of the GCU family who knew Monet.”
The Phoenix Suns, for whom Newton worked as a coordinator, according to her LinkedIn page – also issued a statement, saying the team was “devastated by the tragic loss of our friend and colleague.”
‘She was a beloved member of our team, whose smile and joy touched us all. She will be deeply missed,’ the statement said. “Our thoughts are with his family and friends.”
A family friend launched a GoFundMe campaign to help raise money to support Newton’s family.
“Monet was a beautiful soul known for her infectious smile; a vibrant 24-year-old known for her commitment to education and her resilient spirit,” a note on the fundraising page read.
The graduate student, who was studying psychology, was due to attend her graduation on Thursday.
Yokhoui Mullins, a friend who organized the campaign, revealed that Newton and her mother were planning to ‘cook her favorite meals’ and had activities planned for the next few days.
“However, within hours, her mother discovered that Monet was the victim of a murder-suicide,” Mullins wrote. “In this incredibly difficult time, we want to honor Monet’s memory and support his family as they cope with their unimaginable loss.”
The Glendale Police Department is investigating.