Bail denied for woman accused of death of her mother in Norfolk nursing home

Heather and Clifton Cummings (courtesy of Norfolk Police)

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) – The woman accused in the death of her mother at a Norfolk nursing home was denied bail Friday morning.

Norfolk police said 53-year-old Heather A. Cummings and 24-year-old Clifton L. Cummings were arrested on July 9 and charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder after they confessed to the murder of 81-year-old Cleo A. Loizides.

Loizides was pronounced dead shortly before midnight on June 30 after officers were called to Commonwealth Senior Living on Poplar Hall Drive.

According to court documents, Loizides was found dead in her apartment bedroom with marks on her neck that indicated strangulation.

During her confession, Heather stated that she helped her son by holding Loizides with her hands and telling her, “Just let go, that’s the best thing,” while her son strangled the victim with a strap from his pocket. The documents also reveal that the mother and son traveled from Indiana to Virginia to complete the murder.

During a bail hearing for Heather and Clifton on July 12, Heather, Loizide’s daughter, was denied bail and Clifton, Loizide’s grandson, was granted a mental health and psychological evaluation. Both remain in jail.

10 On Your Side’s Chris Horne was at the hearing and will provide updates throughout the day.