GLENDALE, AZ – A celebration planned for a recent graduate turned into heartbreak after two individuals were discovered deceased in an apartment in Glendale on Tuesday in what authorities describe as a murder-suicide.
Police responded to a call in an apartment near Union Hills Drive and the Loop 101 freeway, where they found the bodies of 24-year-old Monet Newton and 22-year-old Chase Cooper, both having suffered fatal gunshot wounds. Newton’s family, who traveled to Arizona to celebrate her academic milestone, grew concerned when she did not arrive to pick them up from the airport.
Upon visiting Newton’s apartment, her family made the tragic discovery. Officer Jose Santiago of Glendale Police remarked on the devastating sequence of events, noting the family’s anticipated celebration turned sorrowful.
According to initial investigations, authorities suspect Cooper shot Newton before taking his own life. The two were reportedly involved in a brief romantic relationship that concluded days prior to the incident.
Newton, a student at Grand Canyon University, had completed a bachelor’s degree in 2022 and was diligently working toward her master’s degree. Her commencement was scheduled for Thursday, adding to the sense of loss surrounding the tragedy.
The incident underscores the often-overlooked threats within personal relationships, prompting Glendale authorities to encourage those in unsafe situations to reach out for support.