Nathaniel McCowan Charged with Murdering Wife

Nathaniel McCowan, 49, has been charged with the murder of his wife, Laketha McCowan, who was found dead from a gunshot wound on the shoulder of Interstate 580 in Oakland on February 26, 2023. After an extensive investigation lasting nearly two years, authorities identified McCowan as the shooter and arrested him on January 2, 2025, at the Sky River Casino. He faces multiple charges including murder, corporal injury to a relationship partner, and possession of a firearm by a felon, with the murder charge carrying a special allegation of intentional discharge of a firearm. If convicted, he could face 56 years to life in prison. McCowan has a prior history involving a murder charge from 1998, which ended in a plea deal. The motive for the shooting has not been disclosed by prosecutors.