Watch CBS News

Police: Man Stabbed Mother To Death With Screwdriver In Fight Over Pet Cats

NESHANNOCK (KDKA) -- A man is facing charges for allegedly stabbing his mother to death inside her Lawrence County home.

It happened Sunday in the 300 block of Lanewood Drive in Neshannock Township.

Neshannock Township police received a call just before noon for a domestic violence incident and requested help from Pennsylvania State Police.

Police say Lauri Craven, 57, was stabbed multiple times after she got into an argument with her 27-year-old son, Dean.

According to a criminal complaint, Dean believed his mother had killed two pet cats. He went to her home with a stun gun, a screwdriver and an extension cord.

He reportedly struck his mother with the stun gun several times, but this was ineffective.

After a physical struggle, he used the screwdriver to stab the woman in her head, neck and body. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Dean Craven attempted to kill himself by plugging a toaster into an electrical outlet and throwing it into a bathtub filled with water and cutting his wrists, but neither attempt worked.

He then called his sister, admitted to killing his mother and asked her to bring a gun for him to kill himself.

Dean Craven then stayed at the scene and was arrested without incident.

He is facing charges including criminal homicide and aggravated assault.

"There are cases where people suffer from mental illness," said defense attorney David Shrager. "That may be a factor in this case, I'll have to examine the evidence."

He has been placed in the Lawrence County Jail without bond.

Join The Conversation On The KDKA Facebook Page
Stay Up To Date, Follow KDKA On Twitter

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.