The body of a missing 30-year-old Virginia mother was found in a trash collection truck after she failed to pick up her child from daycare triggering her loved ones’ worries.
Taty’ana Cooks was immediately reported missing by relatives after the “very unusual behavior” on Thursday.
Police said that the family’s immediate response helped locate Cooks’ body in the trash truck that was stopped and searched Friday.
“That was very unusual behavior for her. She’d never done that before. That’s obviously very concerning for us,” Prince William County Police Department Lt. Jonathan Perok said.
“It’s not like a mother to not pick up their child.”
Perok added that a search of Cooks’ apartment revealed that she left behind all her belongings.
Undisclosed evidence led investigators to a dumpster near Cooks’ building but the trash collection had already occurred.
The trash truck was then tracked down and stopped, police said. Cooks’ body was discovered inside it.
28-year-old Brendon Devon White was arrested on murder charges over Cooks’ death. He was found driving her car in Newport News.
Perok encouraged people to call 911 right away and report missing loved ones because “minutes matter.”
“In Virginia, at least, there is no 24-hour wait. We actually would prefer you call us right away.”
