Melia Jones: Woman, 23, with Down syndrome raped and 'violently' murdered by neighbor
David Cunningham, 40, has been charged by the Alexandria police in the gruesome murder of his neighbor Melia Jones, 23, with Down syndrome who was living on her own for the first time. Three days after the murder, the young woman's body was found wrapped in blankets on December, 4 by her dad and stepmom, prosecutors said.
Prior to the murder, Jones worked in customer service at Reagan National Airport, where she had been recognized as employee of the month twice. The apartment where she was killed was the first home she had lived in alone.
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When Jones' parents found her body, she had been sexually assaulted, strangled and had a bag over her head. The prosecution described the incident as an “extremely violent murder,” saying Jones was found “in bed wrapped in a blanket … with a bag over her head.”
The police authorities who first arrived at the apartment reported that there were signs that someone had attempted to clean the crime scene. The medical examiner said the cause of death was strangulation.
The police found Cunningham’s DNA all over the apartment and even under Jones’ nails. After investigations, he has been charged with a single count of second-degree murder and is being held without bond. His attorney Damon Colbert says Cunningham was in Jones' apartment because the two of them were involved in romantic relationship.
The attorney Colbert said, “This is a genuine whodunit." He added, "Because he was in her unit, they’ve now pinned this on him. This man should be allowed to go back to the community to fight for his life."
The defense attorney says his client gave consistent testimony during a 5 1/2 hour-long interrogation. Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney, Maana Parcham, says Cunningham’s statements were inconsistent, particularly when asked about the nature of his relationship with the victim.
Cunningham admitted the two had some sexual contact but maintains it was consensual with no intercourse. He further blamed the variations in his statement on drug and alcohol. His next court appearance was scheduled for March 18.