On the early morning of February 28, 2026, 26-year-old Malaysha Thomas was found inside her Akron apartment on the 400 block of South Maple Street with a fatal gunshot wound. First responders pronounced her dead at the scene after police arrived shortly after 12:30 a.m. The apartment was part of the I Promise housing complex, a community initiative in Akron backed by LeBron James.

Family describe Malaysha as a vibrant, loving mother of two — a 5-year-old son and a daughter approaching her seventh birthday — who had moved back to Akron six or seven months earlier and was working to build a stable home. As of early March 2026 the Akron Police Department was still investigating and had made no arrests; detectives said they do not believe there is an ongoing threat to the community and have not identified a suspect.

The family has asked anyone with information to contact police and set up a GoFundMe to help with funeral costs and the children’s support. If anyone knew Malaysha or was in that neighborhood the night of February 28, can you help investigators with what you remember?