A North Carolina man stands accused of the unthinkable—taking his mother’s life after a heated dispute erupted in front of law enforcement officers. The tragic incident has unfolded with disturbing details, shedding light on the alleged matricide.

Alexander James Glenn Jr., aged 38, is facing charges of first-degree murder in connection with the death of his 64-year-old mother, Stephanie McCoy. This devastating case traces back to the previous spring, leaving a community in shock and mourning.

It all commenced on the morning of May 15, 2025, when deputies from the Durham County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to McCoy’s residence on Red Mill Road, situated just outside of Durham. Upon arrival, officers were met with a tumultuous scene: McCoy engaged in a verbal altercation with her son, Glenn. She reportedly informed the deputies that Glenn was preventing her from leaving her home, withholding her cellphone, and refusing to hand over the car keys to a vehicle owned by McCoy’s boyfriend, as reported by local NBC affiliate WRAL.

The deputies on the scene advised Glenn against taking the car keys or driving the vehicle, as his driver’s license was expired at the time. However, in a brazen act, Glenn allegedly disregarded their counsel and left the premises while the officers were still present, according to statements from the sheriff’s office.

The law enforcement officers arrived to find McCoy arguing with her son, Glenn, with the mother telling them he would not let her leave her home or give her her cellphone or the car keys of a vehicle belonging to McCoy’s boyfriend, according to area NBC affiliate WRAL.

Deputies reportedly told the son he should not take the keys nor drive the vehicle as his driver’s license was expired. But, the sheriff’s office claims, “he left the home while deputies were present.”

Later that day, the law enforcement agency was “again called to the residence.” When deputies arrived, they found McCoy “unresponsive due to an apparent homicide,” according to the affidavit.

The victim reportedly had a deep puncture wound in her neck. Additionally, the vehicle in the driveway was missing.

“Evidence gathered points to Mr. Glenn as the primary suspect in this death investigation,” the sheriff’s office said as part of its announcement released days after the incident. The defedant was later arrested.

An autopsy was released this week identifying McCoy’s cause of death, the local outlet reported. In addition to the wound to her neck, she was also choked and suffered injuries to her face and head, authorities said.

Prior to the May 2025 incident, Glenn had “a history of violent behavior,” having been convicted of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill “and other equal or greater charges,” the sheriff’s office said.

The defendant is due in court for a status hearing on April 16.