Body found in burned van is young Detroit woman

20-year-old Rhonda Davis' body found in burned vehicle on city's west side

DETROIT – Police found the body of 20-year-old Rhonda Davis inside a burned van last Friday on Detroit's west side.

The remains were unidentifiable at the time. Davis' mother, Rashon Cooper, had to help identify her daughter using dental records from when Rhonda got her braces.

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It's difficult for Cooper to describe the state her daughter's body was in.

"Gunshots. Body parts missing. Three gunshots and arms and legs missing," she said.

Davis graduated from Cody High School in 2012. Cooper said her daughter was scarred from being falsely accused of an armed robbery. Time spent in the Oakland County Jail impacted her deeply. Since then, her family had difficulty finding Davis and the people she was with.

A boyfriend, who Davis never revealed to family, beat her before Christmas.

Police are working with video of Davis' van. However, her mother said it does not show Davis behind the wheel. It could be her killer.

"She was perfect. She was my rock. She was everything," said Cooper.

Family members are collecting money to offer as a reward for catching Davis' killer. The money also will go toward a memorial. They have set up this GoFundMe page.


About the Author

Local 4 Defender Shawn Ley is an Emmy award-winning journalist who has been with Local 4 News for more than a decade.

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