A 26-year-old Queens man has been arrested after allegedly stabbing his retired corrections officer mother to death inside the home they shared, authorities and family members said.
Armel Crawford was taken into custody Tuesday following the fatal stabbing of 61-year-old Joanne Crawford at their residence on Nameoke Avenue in Far Rockaway, according to the NYPD.
Police found Joanne inside the home around 10:40 a.m. suffering from multiple stab wounds. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Armel was arrested later that night and charged with murder and criminal possession of a weapon, police said.
Joanne’s first cousin, Barry Crawford, told reporters that the mother and son had a strained relationship that may have been tied in part to her years working as a corrections officer.
According to Barry, Armel felt his mother’s demanding job kept her away from home and prevented him from getting the time and attention he wanted from her while growing up.
“He never was a troubled kid outside; he just had problems with her,” Barry said. “I think his biggest problem with her is that she worked for corrections, she was a retired corrections officer, so she was never home. He felt that she never gave him the quality time that he desired.”
Barry also said tensions may have grown after Joanne stopped allowing Armel to care for his grandmother because she believed he did not treat the older woman with enough respect.
He said there had apparently been a disagreement between Joanne and her only son before the stabbing, although the exact circumstances remain unclear.
Police had not publicly confirmed the relationship between Armel and Joanne as of Tuesday night.
Barry said he broke down in tears after learning Joanne had been killed. He remembered her as a loving and generous woman who was deeply involved in her family and community.
“Her father and my mother are brothers and sisters,” he said. “We’ve been close since we were little kids. I’ll love her and miss her forever. I’ll never understand this tragedy or what has happened.”
He added that Joanne was known for helping everyone around her.
“This tragedy will never be understood by this family because of who she is,” Barry said. “She did everything for everyone who came in contact with her. Anyone who knew Joanne Crawford knew she was a loving person.”
