THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, December 5, 1995 TAG: 9512050362
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B10 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: METRO BRIEFS
DATELINE: CHESAPEAKE LENGTH: Short : 33 lines
Detectives are investigating the death of a 69-year-old man who was found slain in his apartment by a maintenance man Monday, police said.
Police identified the victim as Royzell Cowart, of the 2600 block of Harvard Drive, near the Portlock area of the city.
Police spokeswoman Elizabeth Jones said there were no signs of forced entry to the apartment where Cowart was found dead around 1 p.m. She said the body showed signs of trauma but she declined to be more specific.
Jones said police found what could be a murder weapon. However, she wouldn't say what it was because the case is still under investigation.
Cowart, who was retired from the Navy, lived alone in the apartment, police said. Neighbors told police they didn't see or hear anything suspicious before his death.
His body has been sent to the Norfolk crime lab for an autopsy.
Cowart was last seen alive either late Saturday or early Sunday, Jones said.
Police have not released a motive for the slaying and there were no suspects in custody as of late Monday. Police ask anyone with information to call 487-1234.
KEYWORDS: MURDER by CNB