The tragic death of George Cox Jr., a 32-year-old Cleveland man, has led to a shocking indictment as a Cuyahoga County grand jury has charged his girlfriend, Dy’mond Vaden, in connection with his murder. Vaden, also 32, faces a slew of serious charges, including murder, felonious assault, tampering with evidence, gross abuse of a corpse, and having weapons under disability, following an extensive investigation into Cox’s disappearance and death.
Cox was reported missing on November 8, 2024, after last being seen on October 18 in the area of Bosworth Avenue and Peony Avenue in Cleveland. During a wellness check at the apartment he shared with Vaden, Cleveland police discovered a nearly vacant unit with minimal furniture and what appeared to be blood on the floor. Subsequent testing confirmed the blood belonged to Cox, raising immediate suspicions.
As the investigation deepened, authorities learned that Vaden had vacated the shared residence. On May 16, 2025, a recreational kayaker made a grim discovery in the Huron River, approximately 1,000 feet south of State Route 2 in Erie County. A badly decomposed body, wrapped in a fitted bedsheet and bound with marine-style rope, was found in a shallow, marshy section of the river. On July 2, 2025, the Erie County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office and DNA profile comparison, confirmed the remains as those of George Cox Jr.
Investigators uncovered compelling evidence linking Vaden to the crime. Blood found on clothing at Vaden’s new residence, along with a bedsheet matching the one in which Cox’s body was wrapped, pointed to her involvement. DNA evidence and phone records further solidified the case against her, according to prosecutors.
On July 21, 2025, Cleveland police arrested Vaden and Emmanuel McQueen Jr., 41, at a new residence they shared. During the arrest, authorities recovered a firearm, despite both individuals being legally prohibited from possessing weapons due to prior disabilities. Vaden was arraigned on July 23, 2025, in Cleveland Municipal Court, with her bond set at $1 million. Her preliminary hearing is scheduled for August 2, 2025. McQueen faces charges of having weapons under disability and is also awaiting arraignment at the Cuyahoga County Justice Center.
George Cox Jr.’s father expressed gratitude for the diligent efforts of Cleveland’s missing persons and homicide detectives, particularly Detective Kevin Caluhan, in seeking answers. “So many people go missing, and you don’t realize how many until you’re affected by it,” he said in a statement. “I personally thought that we would never recover George, but we did, and it appears that justice will prevail.”
Cox is remembered by his family and friends as a kind-hearted individual whose life was tragically cut short. His death has left a profound impact on the Cleveland community, and his loved ones continue to mourn as the legal process moves forward. The case remains ongoing, with authorities committed to ensuring justice for George Cox Jr.