Warehouse ordered secured after murder

10/29/2009

A Toledo Municipal Court judge ordered the city yesterday to immediately secure the building where the body of a 21-year-old woman with muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, and learning disabilities was found last month.

Police discovered the body of Cindy Sumner in the basement of an abandoned North Toledo warehouse at 1510 Elm St. while acting on a tip from a woman who said that someone named "Sissy" liked to congregate with her and others inside.

The Lucas County Coroner's Office ruled her death a homicide.

The city sought in court yesterday to have the owner of the building address problems with the property.

City Law Director Adam Loukx said the building is a public nuisance but that the owner could not be located.

Judge C. Allen McConnell ordered the city to secure the lower level of the building with metal bars since it is a safety hazard.

The Lucas County auditor lists Select Properties Group LLC, Sarasota, Fla., as the owner.

The Toledo Police Department is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest of the person or persons who killed Miss Sumner.

She had been riding her bicycle when she disappeared Aug. 6.

The bike is described as perhaps a blue and white Huffy with a teddy bear and red flower attached to the handlebars. Investigators have been looking for it.