Shivangi Sinha
Lifetime’s ‘Girl in the Garage: The Laura Cowan Story’ is inspired by the real-life experience of a woman named Laura Cowan who was held captive, along with her three children, in California in 1995. It all began when she turned to a man she knew casually for assistance after her husband’s incarceration due to legal issues. However, she soon found herself manipulated and forced to stay with him. Both she and her children suffered physical and emotional abuse for years. During her captivity, she even gave birth to a daughter. Ultimately, she realized that her only chance of escape was to find the strength within herself and seek help. She became her own hero, and though heartwrenching, Laura Cowan’s story is one of incredible resilience.
Laura Cowan’s Abuser Manipulated Her Into Living With His Family
Laura Carmella Cowan was born in 1957 in Cleveland, Ohio, and led a simple, ordinary life. A free-spirited individual, she always aspired to achieve more for herself. In 1990, she moved to Monrovia, California, after landing a job at an insurance company. It was here that she met and married Muhammad Shabazz. Together, they worked hard to build a successful life, both personally and professionally. They had two children: a daughter and a son named Maryam Shabazz and Muhammad Mahdi Shabazz, respectively. Her husband even opened a restaurant in San Bernardino, California. Everything seemed to be going well for the family until 1995, when he encountered legal troubles.
In 1995, Laura’s husband was arrested on charges of illegal arms trafficking, leaving her feeling helpless as she struggled to support her two young children. During this challenging time, a man from her mosque, Mansa Musa Muhummed, began offering assistance to the mother and her two kids. He helped with small tasks and eventually suggested that Laura stay with his wife and children until she could get back on her feet. He invited her to a motel in Riverside, California, where she met his wife and their 12 children. From the very beginning, Laura noticed something unsettling — the children were sitting on their knees, staring blankly at the walls like “robots.”
Laura later admitted that her instincts urged her to run, but she didn’t. Initially, she believed Musa was simply a man living a strictly religious life. He insisted that his wife and daughters wear veils and maintain a disciplined household. However, things quickly took a darker turn when he asked Laura to become his second wife and explained that she could not live with him unless they were married. The cycle of abuse began gradually but soon escalated. Her son became a frequent target of Musa’s wrath. Laura was isolated from her children and forced to live in a separate room. Physical punishment, abuse, and exploitation became routine in the household, trapping Laura in a terrifying and oppressive environment.
The Letter Laura Cowan Managed to Slip to a Post Office Clerk Saved Her Life
Laura described how those in the household were often starved, with her abuser using food deprivation as a form of punishment. Eventually, the entire group relocated to a house in the Inland Empire region, where their contact with the outside world was completely severed. The curtains were always drawn, and the family lived in a state of constant isolation. Laura recalled a particularly horrific incident in which Musa dug a hole in the backyard and buried one of his sons up to his chest. He then smeared the child with honey to attract ants, subjecting him to bites as a means of coercing information. The environment fostered a toxic cycle, with children and even his wives reportedly turning against one another to gain favor with their abuser.
Laura revealed that a vicious dynamic was created in which the targets, driven by fear and desperation, perpetuated problematic behaviors to survive. She eventually gave birth to a daughter, but her newborn was taken away and handed to her abuser’s eldest wife, a tactic meant to keep Laura imprisoned. Despite her circumstances, the latter was the one who managed the family’s bureaucratic tasks, including handling welfare benefits. The household received $4,000 in welfare money, all of which was spent on the patriarch. One day, seeing her son terrified and shivering, something inside Laura snapped. Determined to fight back, she began secretly recording audio tapes of the beatings and documenting the daily abuse in detail, compiling 26 pages of evidence.
By that time, the family had settled in a home in Aguanga, California. Laura and her son were kept in a dark garage which was nailed shut. While completing paperwork for their monthly benefits, she discovered a postage-paid envelope addressed to the county welfare department. Seizing the opportunity, she slipped her letter detailing the abuse into the envelope and sent it off, taking a brave first step toward freedom. The following day, when Laura was taken to the Aguanga Post Office, she discreetly handed the letter to a clerk. Just three days later, on April 6, 1999, the police arrived and rescued Musa’s three wives and all 16 children from the house. All of them were freed from the oppressive environment, and in 2009, Mansa was sentenced to seven consecutive life terms in prison for his crimes.
Laura Cowan Has Worked Tirelessly to Rebuild Her Life
Laura Cowan and her children were taken to a shelter in Palm Desert, California, where they began their recovery. She underwent intensive therapy and gradually regained control over their lives. After her husband’s release from prison, Laura was informed of his passing. She returned to her hometown of Cleveland, Ohio, and took a job with the local housing authority. True to a promise she had made during her captivity, Laura dedicated herself to helping others. She began training to become a domestic abuse counselor, fulfilling her commitment to support those in similar situations and turning her traumatic experience into a source of hope and empowerment for others.
Laura knew she had to share her story, but it was no easy task. At the same time, she needed to rebuild her life. She pursued her education and graduated from Bryant & Stratton College. Today, she works as a Resident Services Liaison with the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority and serves as a Domestic Violence Advocate within Resident Services. From conducting workshops to leading seminars, Laura is deeply involved in raising awareness and providing support. Over the years, she has collaborated with numerous organizations, including the Coalition for a Better Life, Peace in the Hood, Black on Black Crime Inc., Positive Plus Support Group, and the National Action Network (N.A.N.). Her work continues to make a meaningful impact on the lives of many.
Laura is also politically active and understands the importance of collaborating with diverse communities. She is a former member of the National Congress of Black Women, Greater Cleveland Chapter, and dedicated nine years of volunteer service to the Domestic Violence and Child Advocacy Center of Greater Cleveland. Her remarkable journey of resilience and rebuilding her life has been widely recognized. In 2014, she received Crain’s Women of Note award, and in 2015, she was honored with the Women of Color Foundation’s Stephanie Tubbs Jones Courage Award. These accolades highlight her enduring commitment to advocacy and positive change.
Laura Cowan is an Activist, Educator, and an Inspiration to Many Today
In 2016, Laura Cowan launched The Laura Cowan Foundation, an organization dedicated to supporting women who have experienced domestic abuse. With a mission to empower and uplift survivors, the foundation has already served over 350 women, providing them with resources, guidance, and hope for a brighter future. Laura’s unwavering commitment to advocacy is a testament to her resilience and dedication to making a difference. Her children have also moved forward with their lives. Reports suggest that her daughters do not recall much from their time in captivity. Her son, however, faced mental health challenges after their release but persevered, eventually attending Cabrillo College in Aptos, near Santa Cruz.
Laura has chosen to maintain a private life, staying away from the public spotlight. However, she continues her advocacy through her weekly radio program, Laura Cowan’s Empowerment Hour, on Voice It Radio. The show serves as a platform for education, empowerment, and awareness, reflecting her roles as an activist, educator, and champion for survivors of abuse. Laura Cowan’s journey from victim to advocate is nothing short of inspiring. Her tireless efforts to help others rebuild their lives underscore her strength and compassion, and her impact will undoubtedly continue to grow.
Read More: Where is Laura Cowan’s Family Now?
