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Son Charged In Stangulation Death Of Chester Mother

CHESTER, Pa. (CBS/AP) - Officials have announced the manner of death of a woman found decomposing in her Delaware County apartment Thursday.

According to the Delaware County Medical Examiner's Office, the manner of death for 52-year-old Joleen Marie Smith was ruled as asphyxiation by strangulation.

Smith was found by officers in her Wallingford Estates Apartment around 9:16 a.m. Thursday after a relative called police for a well-being check (see related story).

Police believe she was dead for at least a day.

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

Police say the case is being investigated as a homicide.

(TM and © Copyright 2013 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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