Cathedral City woman killed 4 days after asking judge to evict her roommate

(Cathedral City PD via KMIR)
(Cathedral City PD via KMIR)
(Cathedral City PD via KMIR)

A woman who was found dead in her Cathedral City home two weeks ago had sought an eviction for her roommate just four days prior, according to a new report. That roommate is accused of killing her.

Mimie Anita Cowen, 65, had asked for a restraining order and eviction on June 9, reports the Desert Sun. In her request, she told the court that Scott Pettigrew was showing alarming behavior, refused to pay his rent, stole food, and poured water on her computer. She also said that he had cut the batteries out of phones in the house and kept two dogs in his room without ever letting them out leading to feces in the house.

“I am being terrorized daily in my own home,” Cowen said to the court. “Escalating each day. I need help. I need a restraining order.”

The judge in the case, James Cox, evicted only the dogs but allowed Pettigrew to remain in the home – so long as he stayed 5 yards away from Cowen while still residing in the home. Cox rule the parties would then need to come back in two weeks for to determine a permanent solution.

Cowan was found dead four days later.

Pettigrew was arrested and charged with murder, elder abuse and violating a court order.