Cause of death revealed for pregnant model found dead in luxury Los Angeles apartment: 'It's a very monstrous act'

The cause of death has been revealed for a California woman who was found dead at her luxury Los Angeles last month. It was also discovered that the Los Angeles model was pregnant at the time of her sudden death.

On Sept. 12, Maleesa Mooney was found dead at her luxury apartment in Los Angeles.

This week, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office listed her cause of death as "homicidal violence."

The cause of death for the 31-year-old model and real estate agent had previously been listed as "deferred," pending an investigation. Mooney's sister said she believes that the cause of death was deferred because the model was beaten so brutally that it was difficult for officials to determine her exact cause of death.

Mooney’s sister, Jourdin Pauline, told KTLA, "I can’t imagine what my sister went through and it pains me to even think about it."

"The police haven't said anything to us yet because of the ongoing investigation, but from what we saw at the coroner and mortuary, my sister was in a struggle and it's devastating," Pauline told People magazine. "It's a very monstrous act. I wouldn't wish this on anyone."

"A lot of things just don't make sense to us. We're just really trying to get answers. It is horrible," the 24-year-old sister added. "We had to have a closed casket for her two days before her birthday."

Mooney's laptop, phone, dirty laundry, and favorite purse were reportedly missing.

Pauline said of Mooney's apartment, "It was honestly so chilling. I've never experienced anything like that before. Different parts of the carpet were ripped up and the refrigerator was gone. Whatever happened that night was very scary and traumatic. I know she was so scared. I just hate to think about it."

Mooney had just moved into the apartment a month earlier.

Pauline also revealed that her sister was two months pregnant when she died, and added that Maleesa always wanted to be a mother.

"She was super excited and I know she really wanted a kid, and it's something that she has always talked about," Pauline stated.

The sister said Maleesa's boyfriend is "devastated."

Pauline said her mother retrieved her daughter's phone call records and dialed the last number she called. Someone allegedly answered the phone and attempted to sell Mooney's phone for $100.

"Whoever had her phone was trying to sell her phone," Pauline explained. "And her last call was made to the person who was trying to buy her phone. So my mom calls the last number because she's like, 'Okay, we can't get in contact with her, so maybe this person knows.' And the person on the phone was like, oh no, someone was just trying to sell me this iPhone for a $100.'"

The distraught sister is frustrated at the lack of details about the potential suspect that the police have released in the near-month since Mooney's murder.

"This person is still out there and the police are not telling us anything," Pauline told KTLA. "What is the holdup? What did the guys see? Can you share it with us? Suspects? Surveillance video that you do have? Show us something, tell us something so we can look out for it."

Pauline said, "We can't let this rest. It could save the next woman's life. If you do it once, I'm sure to this caliber, you have it in you to do it again. So, whoever did it, they need to be prosecuted. We're going to get justice."

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