Michigan Family Demands Answers After 53-Year-Old Woman Found Dead Behind Mt. Clemens Building in Freezing Cold

MICHIGAN — A grieving family in Macomb County is demanding answers after 53-year-old Moneque Cook was found dead behind a commercial building in Mt. Clemens during subfreezing temperatures, with relatives saying the circumstances surrounding her death do not make sense.

Cook’s body was discovered last week behind a building after a Priority Waste driver noticed her and contacted authorities. At the time, temperatures were well below freezing, immediately raising concerns about cold exposure and whether she had been left outside for an extended period.

Family Says Final Hours Remain Unclear

According to her family, Moneque Cook left her sister’s home late Monday night, telling relatives she was going to visit a friend. What happened after that remains unknown. Her daughters say no one has been able to explain how or why she ended up behind the building, nor why she was found in such a vulnerable state during extreme cold.

Scene Raises Serious Red Flags for Loved Ones

Cook’s family says the scene where her body was found does not support claims that she simply died from the cold. She was found lying on her back, and relatives say she was not wearing shoes or a coat, despite freezing conditions. Her daughter, Antonia Cook, said her mother would never intentionally lie down outside in such weather.

“She would never lay down and die in the freezing cold,” Antonia said. “That is not my mother. That is not her character.”

Visible Injuries Add to Family’s Concerns

Family members say Cook’s face appeared swollen and that her lip was split when she was found, injuries they believe suggest something happened before her death. These details have led relatives to question whether foul play may have been involved, rather than a simple case of exposure.

Questions Surround Person Cook Went to Visit

The family is also raising concerns about the person Cook reportedly went to visit the night she disappeared. According to her daughter, that individual has not contacted the family or reached out in any way since Cook’s death.

“I believe they were maybe having a drink or something, and something happened in between that time,” Antonia Cook said.

Family Disputes Claims That Cook Was Homeless

Relatives are strongly pushing back against reports suggesting Cook was homeless. They say she was staying with family members and had a place to sleep. “She was not homeless,” Antonia said. “They’re putting her off as a homeless woman who died behind a dumpster, and that is not Moneque’s story.”

Investigation Ongoing as Autopsy Results Pending

Cook’s death remains under active investigation. The Macomb County Medical Examiner’s Office has confirmed that an autopsy has been completed, but officials say results are still pending, including toxicology testing.

Until those findings are released, Cook’s family says they will continue to seek answers and accountability, insisting that her death deserves a thorough and transparent investigation. What do you think happened in this case? Share your thoughts and follow ongoing coverage at NapervilleLocal.com.