Taty’ana Cooks, a 30-year-old mother from Woodbridge, Virginia, was tragically discovered dead in a garbage truck on Friday, March 22, 2024.
Her body, found by authorities searching for her belongings, was determined by the Virginia Medical Examiner’s Office to have died from strangulation.
Cooks had recently separated from her ex-partner, Brendon Devon White, 28, but had allowed him to remain in their home.
Concerns arose when she failed to pick up her 1-year-old son from daycare on March 21, prompting her family to contact the police and conduct a search of her residence.
Her family described Cooks as a loving mother and kind-hearted individual, remembered for her dedication to her son and her willingness to help others.
However, amidst the tragedy, reports have uncovered a history of domestic violence involving White, who had been previously charged with attempted strangulation in 2018.
White, now facing charges of murder, awaits a court hearing scheduled for June 14.
The disturbing circumstances surrounding Cooks’ death highlight the ongoing scourge of domestic violence, particularly affecting black women in the United States.
