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Veteran LAPD Officer Finds His Mother Shot To Death In Her Home

LOS ANGELES (CBS) — Officials say the mother of a veteran Los Angeles Police Department officer was found shot to death in her South LA home.

Cleo Hughes, 79, died Sunday morning from a gunshot to the torso.She was reportedly found in the bedroom of her home in the 1600 block of 66th Street just before noon, police said.

She was a fixture in the South LA community, owning Jack's Family Kitchen, 3965 S. Western Avenue, neighbors said.

The circumstances surrounding the woman and her death are unknown.

Hughes' body was discovered by her son after he was unable to contact his mother. He told authorities he last saw her Saturday.

Officers Mom Slain1
This veteran LAPD officer went to check on his mother Sunday and found she had been murdered. (credit: CBS)

Hughes' son works at the LAPD's police academy training recruits.

Family friend Allyson Smith said the mother and son talked daily. "They were very close. He checks on her every day. They did the phone thing," she says, "and when he couldn't get her on the phone he got concerned and came over."

A vigil was held outside the slain woman's house Sunday.

Police said they had no suspects in custody and no motive.

Neighbor Arlene Washington said, "They got bars and stuff on the windows to protect them. So I'm quite sure if it was a stranger she wouldn't open the door. So it's gotta be someone she knew."

Police collected fingerprints from the home Sunday and had completed their initial investigation of the scene as of Monday morning.

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