Husband arrested in Hurst woman’s death

A woman found dead in an apartment Friday morning may have been a victim of domestic violence, police reported.

The woman was identified as Laura Cummings, 43, according to the Tarrant County medical examiner’s office.

Officers arrested her husband, Randy Allen Cummings, 42, at his residence in the 1300 block of Clarence Street in Haltom City at about 5:20 p.m. Friday, and accused him of killing her, according to a police news release. Cummings is being held on a $250,000 bond, according to Hurst Assistant Police Chief Richard Winstanley.

Laura Cummings had an appointment with a domestic violence help center with plans to obtain a permanent protective order, police said in the news release. When she did not arrive for her appointment, center personnel contacted police and asked that an officer check on her.

Officers arrived at the apartment in the 700 block of East Pecan Street in Hurst shortly before 10:30 a.m. and could tell that someone had forced their way inside, the release said. They found the woman’s body with a cut on her neck, the release said.

Her cause of death was ruled as strangulation, according to the medical examiner.

While investigating, police called for a lockdown of nearby Natha Howell Elementary School, 1324 Kings Highway, but that was soon lifted.

The investigation is ongoing.

Mitch Mitchell, 817-390-7752

This story was originally published April 17, 2015 at 9:09 PM with the headline "Husband arrested in Hurst woman’s death."