Elderly Woman Was Allegedly Strangled to Death at Her Senior Facility by Her Daughter, Grandson: Police

Cleo Loizides was 81 when she was allegedly killed by her daughter and grandson, say police

A woman and her son have been accused of murdering the woman's 81-year-old mother at the victim's senior living center.

On Sunday, June 30, just before midnight, first responders were called to the Commonwealth Senior Living center in Norfolk, Va., after 81-year-old Cleo Loizides was reported unresponsive, Norfolk police wrote in a press release. She was pronounced dead at the scene, and investigators said the reason for her death was "undetermined."

However, less than two weeks later, police announced that Loizides' death was being investigated as a homicide, and on Tuesday, July 9, her daughter and grandson were charged in the case.

Loizides' 53-year-old daughter, Heather Cummings, of Hobart, Ind., and her grandson Clifton Cummings, 24, of Norfolk, were charged with second-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder, police said.

According to court documents obtained by local stations WTKR and 13News Now/WVEC, Heather allegedly confessed to the killing, telling police that she and her son killed Loizides via strangulation. The documents allege that Clifton strangled his grandmother with the strap from his bag, while Heather held the 81-year-old down. The two had planned to drive from Indiana to Virginia to murder Loizides, the documents allege.

The documents allege Heather told her mother: "Just let go, it's for the best."

Loizides also had injuries on her neck consistent with strangulation, the documents allege.

The senior living facility where Loizides resided shared a statement about her death with several outlets.

"Our staff first contacted authorities following protocols when the death occurred. We have cooperated with police throughout their investigation," Commonwealth Senior Living wrote in a statement to WAVY, WTKR and 13News Now. "This is now a police matter, and inquiries about the investigation should be directed to Norfolk City police. Commonwealth Senior Living will support prosecution and accountability to the full extent of the law."

"This has been a difficult time for our staff in the community, and we are offering them emotional workplace support as we continue to navigate this terrible tragedy," the company added.

According to the 81-year-old's obituary, the victim was originally from Baltimore and worked as a model in the 1960s. She also worked as a banker for a brief period of time before meeting her late husband, John, while volunteering at a theatre together.

One friend of Loizides', Judi Evans McArthur, reflected on her life to 13News Now, telling the outlet that she found out about her friend's death from a local paper's obituaries.

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"She was funny, she had a great sense of humor," McArthur said of Loizides. "[She was] very quiet, very gentle."

"It's very sad, just very sad," she continued. "I can't imagine what would cause a person to do that."

McArthur also said that the 81-year-old's late husband, a former employee of the local ABC affiliate station, took portfolio photos of Loizides years ago, and McArthur had kept them.

"I just know it would have been really sad for him to know their daughter did that," she said of John.

According to court records, Heather and Clifton are next due in court on Sept. 23, and they are both being held at the Norfolk City Jail without bond, police said.

It's not immediately clear if either suspect has entered a plea or retained an attorney.

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