NORFOLK, Va. (AP) - An Indiana woman held down her 81-year-old mother while her son used the strap of his bag to strangle his grandmother at a Virginia senior living facility, investigators allege in court documents.
The documents state that Cleo Loizides was found unresponsive in her room at Commonwealth Senior Living at Leigh Hall in Norfolk and pronounced dead when first responders arrived, news outlets report. Marks on her neck were consistent with strangulation, the documents said.
Police said Tuesday that Loizides’ death, which was initially classified as undetermined, was now being investigated as a homicide and that they arrested her daughter and grandson on charges of second-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder.
Police said they obtained confessions from both Heather Cummings, 53, of Hobart, Indiana, and Clifton Cummings, 24, of Norfolk, according to their criminal complaints, but no alleged motive was provided in the documents.
“Just let go, it’s for the best,” Heather Cummings is alleged to have told her mother while holding her down by her hands, according to the complaints, which were filed with the Norfolk court.
In court Friday, Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Victoria Kapper said that Loizides was last seen alive around 5 p.m. on June 30 when employees saw her walking the halls and getting something to eat. An employee making rounds around 11:55 p.m. that night noticed she was pale and cold to the touch and medics were called.
A judge denied bond for Heather Cummings and granted a request from Clifton Cummings’ court-appointed attorney, J.D. Garrett, to order competency and sanity evaluations for his client.
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