Woman Escapes 4 Years Of Torture: Laura Cowan’s Story Becomes a Lifetime Movie

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In 1999, Laura Cowan’s life underwent a significant transformation as she successfully broke free from over three years of captivity and mistreatment. While waiting in line at a rural post office in Riverside County, California, Cowan took a bold step, putting everything on the line to hand a 12-page letter written by hand to a clerk.

Cowan explained to PEOPLE that he retrieved the letter from his pocket, showed it to her without saying a word, and she understood the message.

In an unexpected turn of events, my oppressor, Mansa Musa Muhammed, was hot on my heels. Just when things seemed bleakest, a kind stranger intervened, providing me with the priceless moment I needed to take action.

A few days had passed, on April 6, 1999, Riverside County Sheriff’s deputies visited Muhammed’s residence. In a quiet gesture for aid, Cowan intervened, bringing an end to the ordeal.

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Cowan relocated to California in 1985, seeking new opportunities. There, she encountered her future spouse at a local store and wed him in 1991. As a duo, they welcomed Ahmed and Maryam into their family and managed two businesses together.

The course of their life shifted dramatically when Muhammad’s wife’s husband was jailed for five years due to illegally dealing firearms. Initially trusting Muhammad, he stepped forward to aid her during this challenging period. However, she eventually uncovered his true personality as he was consistently volatile, making it feel like walking on eggshells around him, a sentiment she later recounted.

For the final six months of their ordeal, Cowan and her children were compelled to reside within a garage under harsh and inhumane circumstances. She recounted instances of physical abuse, starvation, and sexual violence. Escape efforts proved unsuccessful, as Muhammed consistently secured the windows and doors.

In my dire situation during my confinement, I endeavored multiple times to call for aid. On one occasion, I scribbled the word ‘help’ on a scrap of paper and tossed it over into a neighboring yard.

A social worker visited for a health assessment, yet couldn’t discern the reality behind the scenes. As it turned out, the kitchen cupboards were packed with empty cereal containers, but the social worker was skillfully deceived by the family’s persuasive talk.

Upon my discovery of Muhammed’s harrowing story, the full magnitude of his wrongdoings was revealed. Regrettably, many of his 13 offspring were found to be suffering from severe malnutrition and stunted physical growth due to his negligence.

A young man, aged 20, tipped the scales at merely 78 lbs and barely reached 4 feet and 1 inch in height. This individual, named Muhammed, faced trial for torturing a child, committing a felony, and imprisoning someone falsely, resulting in him being sentenced to seven life terms.

Despite being rescued, Cowan’s troubles didn’t cease. Upon reuniting with her husband, who had recently been freed from prison, she faced another tragedy: he passed away due to a heart attack only a month afterwards.

Alone with the responsibility of raising her kids, she opted to move from California to Cleveland, a city that would provide them with several years of therapeutic support as they worked towards healing from their past traumas.

Currently, Cowan channels her energy into educating people about domestic violence and encouraging others to restart their lives. In her own words, “I no longer refer to myself as a survivor; instead, I am a flourisher.

The Lifetime movie “Girl in the Garage: The Laura Cowan Story” was about her life, as it first aired on January 18.

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2025-01-19 14:52