NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — Avery Jones is devastated about what happened across the street from his home on Wheeler Drive.
"It's really hard to believe that something like this would happen so close to home," he said.
The Newport News Police Department said officers found a woman who appeared to be beaten before she died in Denbigh Wednesday afternoon.
The incident happened in the 900 block of Wheeler Dr., which is less than a mile from Denbigh Park. Police went there around 1:45 p.m. after they received a report of a suspicious death.
The police department said officers found 53-year-old Yolanda Moton dead, and that she looked to have been assaulted physically. Police said they were investigating the incident as a homicide.
A woman, who identified herself as the Moton's daughter, did not want to speak on camera, but said her mother and two relatives lived inside the home.
She described Moton as "hardworking" and said she always took care of her kids.
"She was just a bundle of joy," said Jones. "Most fantastic thing about her. She would buy milk, laundry detergent, eggs, and it will just be sitting on my porch."
Jones said he can't believe someone would do this to a woman who treated his family with such kindness. Jones said she loved her kids and often looked after his children, including inviting his son to join vacations with her and her sons.
Newport News police are not sharing any other details about the case, saying it's an ongoing investigation.
No details about possible suspects or what led to this incident were shared.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call 911 or the Crime Line at 1–888-LOCK-U-UP (1–888–562–5887). You can also submit a tip online at p3tips.com.