Pa. man charged in death of mother found in home

CHESTER, Pa. (AP) — A southeastern Pennsylvania man is charged with murder a day after his mother’s decomposing body was found in the apartment where neighbors say they both lived.

The Delaware County district attorney’s office today said 28-year-old Patrick Michael Smith of Chester is facing first- and third-degree murder charges.

The charges were filed after the county coroner ruled that 52-year-old Joleen Marie Smith was strangled. Her body was found Thursday by police who were called to the scene after another relative couldn’t reach her for several days.

Police say Patrick Smith was at the apartment when they arrived. He was initially taken into custody on parole violations.