For the best experienceDownload the Mobile App
App Store Play Store
New evidence, details emerge in 2022 no-body murder case in Albany
New evidence, details emerge in 2022 no-body murder case in Albany
New evidence, details emerge in 2022 no-body murder case in Albany

Published on: 06/13/2026

Description

ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) — A trial is scheduled to begin July 6 for the man accused of killing missing Albany woman Lacambria Toomer, who has been missing since August 2022.

New court filings reveal the evidence prosecutors plan to use in the no-body murder trial. Court records show prosecutors want to combine the murder case with a 2022 aggravated assault case involving Toomer.

Ryan Cooper, the father of Toomer’s child, currently faces several charges.

Toomer’s mother, Melassia Thornton, says that history is critical to understanding the relationship.

“Anytime you going through a domestic situation like this, I’m almost 100% positive that nothing good is going to come out of it.”

The filing outlines evidence prosecutors say links Cooper to Toomer’s death. Prosecutors said Cooper beat Toomer and pointed a gun at her during an incident inside his Audi convertible months before she disappeared.

Investigators later found a bullet hole and blood inside the car. DNA testing on blood from the car’s headliner was consistent with Toomer’s family line, reports show.

In August of 2022, Toomer was reported missing.
In August of 2022, Toomer was reported missing.(Melissa Thornton)

Prosecutors also claim that a witness told investigators Cooper admitted to shooting Toomer.

Cooper was indicted in March on charges of felony murder, malice murder, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, and concealing the death of another person.

Toomer’s mother, Melassia Thornton, said the details are difficult, but she wants everything exposed if it brings justice for her daughter.

“Her life did not deserve to be taken. I don’t care what the situation was. Nobody’s life deserved to be taken. Nobody.”

Thornton now cares for the child Toomer and Cooper share. She said the approaching trial and the reality that her daughter is still missing bring constant stress. But she’s still hoping Cooper does the right thing.

“Can’t you see how bad I’m hurting right now? You got a son out here. Give me some closure. The justice, it’s okay, but I still need my closure. I don’t see how even himself be able to sleep at night. I don’t understand it.”

A judge has not yet ruled on whether the two cases will be combined. Cooper’s murder trial is currently scheduled to begin July 6.

Have a news tip or see an error that needs correction? Let us know. Please include the article’s headline in your message.

To stay up to date on all the latest news as it develops, follow WALB on Facebook, Instagram and X. For more South Georgia news, download the WALB News app and add WALB as a preferred source on Google.

Copyright 2026 WALB. All rights reserved.

News Source : https://www.walb.com/2026/06/12/new-evidence-details-emerge-2022-no-body-murder-case-albany/

Other Related News

06/13/2026

ALBANY Ga WALB Republican US Senate candidate Derek Dooley who is accused of being involv...

06/13/2026

PERRY Ga WALB Perry police said a mail and check fraud ring targeting residents has led t...

06/13/2026

BLAKELY Ga WALB The city of Blakely is welcoming a new Chief of Police this summerGregory...

06/13/2026

ATLANTA Ga Atlanta News First A 12-year-old boy was shot near a playground at a park in s...

06/13/2026

LEESBURG Ga WALB 36-year-old Jeffrey Tyler Kinzer opened fire with an AR-15 rifle at a fa...

ShoutoutGive Shoutout
500/500