Sacoya Cooper, 33: Trans Woman Left For Trip To The Store & Vanished
A five-month-old missing person case out of Ohio continues to cause concern as the loved ones of Sacoya Cooper seek answers. The 33-year-old transgender woman mysteriously disappeared from Columbus on August 31, 2021, after she was last seen traveling in a black Ford Fusion at approximately 11:30 p.m. According to reports, Sacoya was going to the store but never returned.
Additionally, it has also been stated that Sacoya Cooper didn’t make it to the store, either. When her loved ones attempted to contact her, they learned that Sacoya’s phone was turned off. They reportedly claimed that it was unlike Sacoya to vanish without a trace. Her vehicle also remains missing.
Richard Harris, Sacoya’s partner, spoke with The Columbus Dispatch back in September 2021 about the circumstances leading up to the disappearance.
“She left here to go get some bottled water and she never showed up,” said an emotional Richard. “I know she had a text message right before she left, and that’s all I know. And she left and never came back… This is something that she never does. This is unreal.”
At the onset of the case, many people in the community helped pass out flyers and go door-to-door, wanting to help in the investigation.
“I mean, you see this every day on the TV and on the milk cartons … but you never really realize the depths of this,” he said. “Because there ain’t never no closure until you find something. This is some of the worst sh*t you can possibly go through. This is bad. Look, I got people in my driveway trying to help. This is bad.”
Increasing violence against trans women, especially Black trans women, has plagued the LGBTQIA+ community. Richard said he received information about a possible Sacoya Cooper sighting at a gas station, but when investigated, surveillance cameras weren’t helpful. Then, there were ransom texts demanding $7,000 to get Sacoya back or $500 to speak with her. That information was given to police.
“It’s unfortunate that there were a lot of missteps taken, but that seems to be a repeated song for our community,” said Charlie Stewart, an organizer with the Black Queer & Intersectional Collective, (BQIC). “Black trans women are subjected to so much violence… Every second that she’s away from her home is being away from safety.”
Stewart added that the BQIC has also been looking into this mystery and mentioned how LGBTQIA+ cases don’t receive as much attention or visibility.
“You can’t do nothing but hope,” said Richard. “I mean, I’m not going to give up hope. …She’s a loving person. I love her, I want her home. No matter whatever she’s going through, we can work through it.”
A GoFundMe has been set up by Sacoya’s family and you can visit that page here and read a message from Sacoya’s brother:
Hello I am Devin’s (Sacoya’s) Biological Brother James Carswell. I currently reside in Ga but I am now in Columbus Ohio searching for my missing sibling. Devin (Sacoya) is Transgendered and has been missing since 8/31/21. Last seen leaving home in North Columbus (Howey Rd) to go to the corner store for Water around 11:30pm any Help with my search to find Devin (Sacoya) outside of the Columbus Police Dept is greatly appreciated. Unfortunately our family has to prepare for the worst but is still keeping faith for a safe return home to Her two Dogs her home her Jobs and her family!!!! Sacoya works as A GM for Popeyes also in North Columbus this is definitely not a runaway situation Sacoya is in Dire need and we are asking for your help. any help will be for Her rent utilities dog food for her two loving Pitt bulls and anything else to continue this search God Bless And Thank you
The Columbus Police Department reportedly told Sacoya’s family that “they are investigating two individuals but they could not give us any further information.”
At the time of her disappearance, Sacoya Cooper stood 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighed 145 pounds. She had black/dark brown hair (styled in lemonade braids, swept to one side) and brown eyes. Sacoya was last seen wearing a black and white summer dress and black and white Baby Phat sandals.
Anyone with information about this case is urged to contact the Columbus Division of Police at (614) 645-4545, the Columbus Police Missing Persons Unit at 614-645-2358, or their local authorities. The agency case number is 210 659 143.
Please share this story about Sacoya Cooper to help bring more visibility to her case. She is our sister and her life matters.
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