Sandra Elaine Molen Coakley, a 63-year-old Black woman and nursing assistant, was found dead at her home on Parana Street in North Charleston on April 10, 2021. Police responded after reports of a shooting and determined Coakley had suffered fatal gunshot wounds, prompting a homicide investigation by the North Charleston Police Department.

Within days detectives developed leads. On April 22, 2021, 19-year-old Tyson Tyree Tucker was arrested with help from the U.S. Marshals Task Force and charged with murder; he was booked into the detention center. A second person with the surname Bowens later surrendered to authorities and faced related charges. Court activity and filings continued after the arrests as the case moved through the judicial system.

Coakley’s community remembered her as compassionate. If anyone in North Charleston has information about her death or knew Coakley, please share what you know with investigators.