Janet Cowart, 64, died in her Newark, New Jersey home on November 29, 2018. The incident happened at about 5:21 p.m.; she was pronounced dead at the scene less than half an hour later. An autopsy was pending to determine the official cause of death.

Authorities described the case as a domestic violence incident and arrested her 38-year-old son, Al Andre Cowart. He was taken into custody by the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force, which includes Newark Police detectives, and charged with murder plus multiple weapons offenses. He was being held at the Essex County Correctional Facility; reports note a prior arrest in April 2017 for weapons offenses, resisting arrest, and eluding police.

If anyone knew Janet or has information about what happened that evening, please come forward to assist the investigation.