ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) —[UPDATE: Aug. 7 at 10:30 p.m.] A judge sentenced Ryan Cooper to life in prison without the possibility of parole Friday after he was convicted of killing LaCambria Toomer, the mother of his child.

“I’ve never sentenced anybody to life without the possibility of parole. But I am going to do it today,” said Judge Denise Marshall of Dougherty County Superior Court.

Cooper was found guilty last month of killing Toomer and hiding her body after she went missing in August of 2022.

Victim’s mother addresses Cooper in court

Before the sentence was handed down, Toomer’s mother, Melassia Thornton, addressed Cooper directly in the courtroom. Thornton, who now cares for the child Toomer and Cooper shared, said she deserves the chance to lay her daughter to rest.

“Before I leave here today, please give me that closure. Please tell me where my baby is. Please tell me where my baby is,” Thornton said.

“Jordan deserves his mama. I deserve the truth. You have an opportunity to give me that closure by telling me where my baby’s body is,” she said.

Assistant District Attorney Tracy Mullis told the court how the case has affected Thornton.

“He has sentenced her to life with no parole from the pain of this incident,” Mullis said.

Judge cites difficult trial evidence

Judge Marshall said the evidence presented during the trial was difficult to hear.

“Evidence in this case was just out and out, cringe-worthy. I don’t cringe over a lot of things, but it was just cringe-worthy,” Marshall said.

Search for Toomer’s body continues

Albany Police Department Investigator Kalandria Peterson said the search for Toomer’s remains will continue despite the conviction.

“Until we can bring her home, until we can get a proper barrier, until we can get Ms. Melassia the closure that she needs, yes, the search is going to continue,” Peterson said.

Thornton said she will continue to raise her grandson, who must now grow up without his mother or father.

“That’s what everybody keeps forgetting. It’s still a baby involved. Jordan don’t understand quite what’s going on, but he know enough to talk to say that’s his mom. He can walk up to his mom’s pictures and give his mom kisses and hugs. I mean, he constantly asks people, where is his mom? Can you help me find my mom? He know his mama. He knew his mama. He knew his mama,” Thornton said.

Defense expected to seek new trial

Judge Marshall said she expects Cooper’s defense team to request a new trial, as they continue to maintain his innocence. The defense has 120 days to file the paperwork.

[ORIGINAL ARTICLE] The man convicted of killing Dougherty County’s Lacambria Toomer in August 2022 was sentenced Friday, Aug. 7, at 2:30 p.m.

Ryan Cooper was found guilty on all counts, including malice and felony murder, on July 14.

WATCH the moment the verdict was read:

Cooper was the last person to see Toomer before she was reported missing in 2022. It wasn’t until March 2026 that prosecutors formally indicted Cooper in connection with Toomer’s disappearance and death.

Cooper, who is also the father of Toomer’s child, is set to be sentenced Friday for the following charges:

• Malice Murder
• Felony Murder
• Aggravated Assault
• Possession of a firearm in commission of a crime
• Concealing the death of another person

WALB’s Zoe Wells will be attending the sentencing hearing Friday. Stay with us for livestreamed coverage and the latest updates.

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