A 32-year-old woman has been indicted for murder and several other felony charges after the body of her missing boyfriend, George Cox Jr., was discovered bound with rope and wrapped in a bedsheet in the Huron River earlier this year.
On Friday, July 25, Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael C. O’Malley announced that a grand jury had returned an indictment against Dy’mond Vaden, who is now facing:
- Two counts of murder
- Two counts of felonious assault
- Tampering with evidence
- Gross abuse of a corpse
- Having weapons under disability
Vaden was arrested on July 21 and is currently awaiting arraignment.
A Missing Person Case Turns Into a Homicide Investigation
Cox Jr., also 32, had been reported missing in November 2024 by family members. He was last seen on October 18, 2024, near Bosworth Avenue and Peony Avenue in Cleveland, with his last known communication occurring a day later.
According to prosecutors, during the investigation into his disappearance, police performed a welfare check at the apartment shared by Cox Jr. and Vaden. Inside, investigators reportedly found what appeared to be blood on the floor, and noted the apartment had little to no furniture. Forensic testing later confirmed the blood belonged to Cox Jr., but by then, Vaden was no longer living there.
The investigation took a grim turn on May 15, 2025, when two kayakers discovered Cox Jr.’s body in the Huron River in Erie County, tied with marine-style rope and wrapped in bed sheets that authorities later matched to those from the apartment.
Forensic Evidence and Arrests
Prosecutors say that additional blood evidence was found on clothing recovered from Vaden’s current residence. DNA evidence and cellphone data also allegedly place her at the center of Cox Jr.’s killing.
Vaden was apprehended at the home she now shares with Emmanuel McQueen Jr., 41. During the arrest, police reportedly found a firearm at the residence, resulting in McQueen Jr. also being indicted on one count of having weapons under disability.
Prosecutor: “One Step Closer to Justice”
In a statement, Prosecutor O’Malley acknowledged the long wait for answers experienced by Cox Jr.’s family.
“George Cox Jr.’s family has waited for answers, and today they are one step closer to justice,” O’Malley said.
“Fortunately for his family and the State of Ohio, CDP Homicide detectives are well-trained and smarter than Dy’mond Vaden thinks.”
Both Vaden and McQueen are scheduled to be arraigned at the Cuyahoga County Justice Center on a future date.
