Angela Cohan James was 53 and from Oxford, Mississippi. Known also as Angela Angie Regina Cohran or Angela Cohran James, she grew up and attended school in Oxford, earned an associate’s degree in social work, sang in a gospel group, and worked later as a caretaker.

Shortly before 6:30 to 6:48 a.m. on November 12, 2024, police were dispatched to the 200 block of Herman Drive. Responders found Angela inside 209 Herman Drive with a gunshot wound; she was pronounced dead at the scene and the Lafayette County coroner later ruled the death a homicide by gunfire. The man she was caring for, 89-year-old Herman Slack, who lived at that address, was taken into custody that morning and was later arrested and charged with first-degree murder. Reports noted Slack had been described as having dementia.

Angela’s family held funeral services celebrating her faith and community ties. A Lafayette County grand jury indicted Slack on first-degree murder in February; he pleaded not guilty and was released on bond while the criminal case remained pending. Angela’s daughter, Lydia Holland, filed a wrongful death suit in January. Does anyone have information about Angela’s work as a caretaker or about the neighborhood around Herman Drive on the morning of November 12, 2024?