Mother, Son Accused of Strangling Grandmother to Death at Virginia Nursing Home
Heather Cummings (left) and Clifton Cummings (right) charged with the murder of Heather's mother while visiting her in her nursing home, officials said.
July 19 2024, Published 10:02 a.m. ET
A woman and her son have been arrested in Virginia after they allegedly strangled her mother to death while visiting her in a nursing home, according to authorities.
Officers were called recently to Commonwealth Senior Living in Norfolk regarding an unresponsive patient, according to the Norfolk Police Department.
Paramedics arrived at the scene and pronounced 81-year-old Cleo Loizides deceased.
Authorities initially classified the death as undetermined, but it is now being investigated as a homicide.
Investigators stated there appeared to be strangulation marks on Loizides’ neck, according to court documents obtained by WAVY-TV.
Heather Cummings, who traveled from Indiana to Virginia, reportedly confessed to police that her son, 24-year-old Clifton Cummings, strangled his grandmother with one of his bag’s straps while she held Loizides down, officials said.
She allegedly told Loizides, “Just let go, It’s for the best.”
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On July 9, 53-year-old Heather Cummings and her son were arrested and charged with second-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder, officials said.
Clifton Cummings will reportedly undergo a competency exam.
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