PHOTO: NORFOLK POLICE DEPARTMENT
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, Virginia, after 81-year-old Cleo Loizides was reported unresponsive. She was pronounced dead at the scene, and investigators initially reported her cause of death as “undetermined.”
However, less than two weeks later, police announced that Loizides’ death was being investigated as a homicide. On Tuesday, July 9, her daughter and grandson were charged in the case. Heather Cummings, 53, of Hobart, Indiana, and her son Clifton Cummings, 24, of Norfolk, were charged with second-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder.
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. Heather reportedly told her mother, “Just let go, it’s for the best.”
Loizides had injuries on her neck consistent with strangulation, according to the documents. The senior living facility where Loizides resided shared a statement about her death, noting their cooperation with the police investigation.
“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 her obituary, Loizides was originally from Baltimore and worked as a model in the 1960s. She also worked briefly as a banker before meeting her late husband, John, while volunteering at a theatre together.
A friend of Loizides, Judi Evans McArthur, shared memories of her with 13News Now. McArthur learned of her friend’s death from a local paper’s obituary. “She was funny, she had a great sense of humor,” McArthur said. “[She was] very quiet, very gentle. It’s very sad, just very sad. I can’t imagine what would cause a person to do that.”
McArthur also mentioned that Loizides’ 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.
Heather and Clifton are scheduled to appear in court on September 23 and are both being held at the Norfolk City Jail without bond. It is not immediately clear if either suspect has entered a plea or retained an attorney.
