Laura Cowan Biography: Laura Cowan, a mother of three, has faced tough challenges, including surviving abuse in a polygamist relationship and turning her painful experiences into a mission to help others.
Marriages and Children
Laura Cowan’s family has always been at the center of her journey. She was first married to Muhammad Shabazz Cowan, with whom she had three children but he went to prison for trafficking illegal firearms.

In 1995, Laura’s life took a very dark turn. She was manipulated into marrying Mansa Musa Muhummed, a man who already had another wife and 12 children. This marriage led to years of abuse and suffering for Laura and her children.
After her rescue in 1999, Laura reconnected with her first husband, Muhammad Shabazz Cowan. Sadly, he passed away shortly after from a heart attack, leaving Laura to raise her children on her own.
Abuse and Rescue

Laura Cowan’s marriage to Mansa Musa Muhummed was a nightmare that lasted for years. Muhummed was a polygamist who manipulated Laura into marrying him in 1995. At the time, he already had another wife and 12 children. Muhummed appeared to be a religious and caring man, but once Laura was in his control, he revealed his true nature.
From the beginning, Laura and her children were subjected to horrific abuse. Muhummed forced them to live inside a garage. They were deprived of basic necessities like food, sunlight, and proper facilities for urination.
During her captivity, Laura found an old legal pad and a pen. She carefully wrote down everything she and her children were going through—26 pages of details about the abuse they suffered. She kept these pages hidden, hoping they could one day lead to their rescue.
One day, Laura got an unexpected chance to leave the house when Muhummed took her to a post office. Seeing an opportunity, she slipped a note to the clerk, asking for help.
Two days later, on April 6, 1999, Riverside County Sheriff’s deputies came to Muhummed’s home. Laura bravely signaled for help with her eyes, and the deputies quickly realized something was wrong. They called for backup and rescued Laura and her children, finally putting an end to their years of abuse.
Muhummed was arrested and later convicted in 2008 of crimes like false imprisonment, torture, and child endangerment. In 2009, he was sentenced to seven life terms in prison.
Education and Advocacy
She later graduated from Bryant & Stratton College and worked as a Resident Services Liaison with the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA). She also became a Domestic Violence Advocate, using her own experiences to support and guide other survivors.
Her Legacy
Instead of letting her past define her, Laura used it to create change. In 2016, she founded The Laura Cowan Foundation, a nonprofit organization that helps women escape and recover from domestic violence.
Since starting the foundation, Laura has helped more than 350 women. Her organization provides safe places to live, counseling, and education to help survivors start over.
Laura’s story has been shared widely. She has appeared on shows like Anderson Cooper Live, The Meredith Vieira Show, and Investigation Discovery’s “House of Horrors.” Her life story was also turned into a Lifetime movie called “Girl in the Garage: The Laura Cowan Story.”
Laura Cowan Biography: FAQs
What was Mansa Musa Muhummed’s punishment?
In 2008, Mansa Musa Muhummed was convicted on multiple charges, including false imprisonment, torture, corporal injury on a spouse, and child endangerment. In 2009, he was sentenced to seven life terms in prison, ensuring he would never harm another family.
What is Laura Cowan’s movie about?
Laura Cowan’s story was adapted into the Lifetime movie “Girl in the Garage: The Laura Cowan Story.” The movie depicts her harrowing experiences of abuse and captivity, her courageous fight for freedom, and the eventual rescue of her and her children.
Laura Cowan biography will be updated here as new details emerge.
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