Man arrested after his missing mother’s body was found dismembered, stored in trash bags
WEST HAVEN, Conn. (WFSB/Gray News) - Investigators have made an arrest after a dismembered body was found in Connecticut.
West Haven police responded to a home on Nashawena Avenue on March 24 for a report for a missing person.
The call came from the victim’s older son. He told police he had not seen his mother, 70-year-old Tina Lloyd, in months.
When officers arrived at the home, they noticed a smell and eventually found Tina Lloyd deceased and dismembered.
Police say there were 14 to 16 trash bags containing dismembered body parts in an upstairs bedroom.
“There were several cutting utensils. There was an electric saw, things of that nature,” said Det. Jeff Gabianelli, with the West Haven Police Department.
Officials believe Tina Lloyd may have been dead for two months before she was discovered. Her body parts were so badly decomposed, police needed to use DNA to identify her.
“I have never seen anything like this in my 22 years in this police department,” West Haven Police Sergeant Scott Allard said.
Investigators also found that someone had tried to burn the home down.
“Throughout the house, there was paper-type stuff, lighter fluid found, indicative of a set up to catch on fire,” said Allard.
Police arrested Tina Lloyd’s younger son, 27-year-old Theodore Lloyd. He was initially charged with attempted arson and an act to conceal criminal activity.
Police say Theodore Lloyd acted alone and more charges will be filed as the investigation continues.
Investigators also added that there were additional plastic bags with plenty of evidence, as well as receipts and surveillance from a local Walmart and Home Depot, that show Theodore Lloyd leaving with the items they recovered.
“Such a pleasant woman. It’s awful, just awful,” said Michael Lopenzo, of West Haven.
Tina Lloyd’s neighbor, Denny Steeves, said after seeing her last in January, he knew something was wrong when police showed up at her door in March.
“She would go up and down the street with her walker, and if she came home with a lot of groceries, I’d ask her, ‘Tina, do you want me to help you with your groceries?’ And she’d go, ‘No, this is how I get my exercise,’” Steeves remembered. “Very, very nice lady. Tragic, tragic.”
Theodore Lloyd is currently being held on a $1 million bond on the attempted arson charge and is due back in court next month.
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