Case #95 - Sacoya Cooper alias Devin Cooper
- Date of Incident (Last Seen) – August 31st 2021 at 11:30pm
- Location – Columbus, Ohio
- Date of Birth: 08/09/1988
- Case Entry Made: 03/05/2026
- Last Updated: 03/05/2026
Columbus Division of Police: (614) 645-4545
Detective: Charles Radich
Agency Case Number: 210 659 143
Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation
Jennifer Dillion, Criminal Intelligence Analyst
Agency Case Number: 2021-2640
Central Ohio Crime Stoppers Tip Line: 614-461-8477(TIPS)
NamUs #MP85096
Social Media Links:
Facebook Group: Sacoya’s Post
Ohio Attorney General: Sacoya’s Page
Wikipedia Wiki for Sacoya
NamUs: Sacoya’s Page
Charley Project: Sacoya’s Page
FBI: Poster and Information for Sacoya
NBC News: Disappearance of Ohio Woman
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Aug 31, 2021 | Sacoya Cooper leaves her Columbus home around 11:30 p.m. to go to a nearby convenience store. She never returns. |
| Sept 1, 2021 | Cooper is officially reported missing to the Columbus Division of Police. |
| Oct 2021 | Her black 2009 Ford Fusion is located on the west side of Columbus with different license plates. |
| Late 2021 – 2022 | Investigators indicate that foul play may be involved and continue to seek public tips. |
| 2022 onward | The FBI becomes involved and offers a reward for information about Cooper’s disappearance. |
| 2024–2025 | The case remains unsolved; advocates and family members continue awareness efforts and request new leads. |
The Disappearance of Sacoya Cooper: A Missing Person Case Still Under Investigation
The disappearance of Sacoya Cooper, a 33-year-old transgender woman from Columbus, Ohio, remains an unsolved missing person case years after she vanished in 2021. Investigators believe her disappearance may involve foul play, and federal authorities continue to seek information that could help locate her.
Despite community searches, media coverage, and law enforcement involvement, Cooper has never been found. The case has drawn attention to missing persons investigations involving LGBTQ+ individuals and people of color, groups that advocates say are often underreported in national media.
Background
Sacoya Cooper—whose legal name is Devin M. Cooper—was born on August 9, 1988. She lived in the North Linden area of Columbus, Ohio, where she worked in the food service industry and maintained close relationships with friends and family.
Friends described her as outgoing and communicative, someone who spoke with loved ones frequently. Because of that, her sudden disappearance raised immediate concern among those close to her.
At the time she went missing, Cooper was described as:
– Height: 5’5″
– Weight: approximately 145 pounds
– Hair: black, styled in “lemonade braids”
– Eyes: brown
– Distinguishing tattoos: “Sacoya” on her left thigh and “Go Get the $” on her right thigh.
The Night Sacoya Cooper Disappeared
On August 31, 2021, Cooper left her residence around 11:30 p.m. to make a quick trip to a nearby convenience store. She reportedly told her partner she was going to buy bottled water and would return shortly.
She drove away in a black 2009 Ford Fusion, but she never returned home. Calls to her phone later went unanswered, and her device appeared to be turned off.
Concerned about her safety, loved ones contacted authorities the following day. The Columbus Division of Police officially listed her as a missing person on September 1, 2021.
Discovery of Cooper’s Vehicle
Weeks after the disappearance, investigators located Cooper’s car on the west side of Columbus. Authorities discovered that the vehicle had different license plates attached, suggesting it had been tampered with after she vanished.
The recovery of the car raised additional concerns among investigators, and police indicated that the circumstances suggested possible foul play.
However, Cooper herself was not located, and no arrests have been made in connection with the case.
Investigation and Law Enforcement Response
The investigation has involved multiple agencies, including the Columbus Division of Police and the FBI. Authorities have offered a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to Cooper’s location or the resolution of the case.
Investigators continue to request tips from the public, emphasizing that even small pieces of information may help determine what happened to her.
Community members and advocacy groups have also organized searches and awareness campaigns, distributing flyers and canvassing neighborhoods in hopes of finding new leads.
Latest Investigation Information
As of the most recent available updates:
– The case remains open and active.
– Law enforcement officials believe Cooper may have been the victim of foul play, although no suspect has been publicly identified.
– The FBI continues to list Sacoya Cooper on its missing persons and kidnapping cases page with a reward for information.
– Authorities are still asking anyone with information to contact Central Ohio Crime Stoppers or the FBI tip line.
Family members and supporters continue to advocate for renewed attention and answers regarding Cooper’s disappearance.
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Facebook Post:
On August 31, 2021, 33-year-old Sacoya Cooper, a transgender woman from Columbus, Ohio, disappeared after leaving her home. Her family and friends are still searching for answers—and new details uncovered in this episode shed light on what may have happened.
Listen to the podcast on any podcast App or watch on Youtube.
Every share, every listen, helps keep Sacoya’s name alive.
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