Erie County Sheriffs Office detectives Captain Ron Kenyon says this is the worst case he's seen in 30-years of law enforcement.
"We've never seen anything quite as horrific as what we've seen with this investigation," said Capt. Kenyon.
Today 51-year old Eva Cummings was arraigned in North Collins Town Court on a second degree murder charge in connection with the death of her physically and mentally disabled daughter 23-year old Laura Cummings. Laura's brother 31-year old Luke Wright as also arraigned on felony assault charges in connection with the death.
On January 21, 23-year old Laura Cummings was found dead inside the family apartment on Sherman Avenue. The Erie County Medical Examiner ruled the death a homicide.
"The medical examiner ruled she was killed by three means: the final straw was suffocation, but she also had blunt force trauma and thermal burns to her face," said Capt. Kenyon at today's news conference.
Police say those "thermal burns" were caused by boiling hot water thrown in Laura's face allegedly by her brother Luke. Kenyon says their investigation further revealed a disturbing pattern of physical and mental abuse dating all the way back to the mid-nineties.
Kenyon also says he believe Laura's disabilities played a role in abuse.
Captain Kenyon says there was an eerie sense of déjà vu investigating this case. He says six-years ago there was a murder in the same apartment building just upstairs from where Laura's body was found.
The case was unrelated to Cummings murder.
Meantime, the Erie County prosecutor handling the case says Eva Cummings is due back in court next Thursday. He says he expects additional charges to be filed before the case is handed to a grand jury.
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