In northern Virginia, a harrowing crime has unfolded with a woman facing serious charges after allegedly committing a brutal act against her own mother. Helena Little, age 31, stands accused of second-degree murder following the tragic death of her 79-year-old mother, Norma Little. Currently, Helena is detained at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center, as confirmed by the local police department.

The unsettling events began to unravel on a Tuesday morning around 10 a.m. in McNair, Virginia, specifically on the 2300 block of Dulles Station Boulevard. A caregiver, arriving for her usual visit to check on Norma, stumbled upon a horrifying scene inside the apartment.

According to police reports, Norma Little was discovered with stab wounds to her upper body, particularly her neck. Her body lay beneath an overturned recliner, surrounded by a disheveled room. The caregiver promptly contacted authorities, who upon arrival, noted a pronounced odor of cleaning products permeating the air, a detail highlighted in court documents reviewed by a local news outlet.

The investigation swiftly commenced, with detectives delving into the chilling details. An autopsy later confirmed that Norma had succumbed to sharp force trauma to the neck. The focus then shifted to determining the perpetrator behind this heinous act.

In the course of their inquiry, investigators unearthed that Norma was not only reliant on her caregiver but also on the support of her two adult children due to her limited mobility. The investigative team scoured the vicinity for clues, ultimately piecing together the puzzle with the help of surveillance footage, key fob activity, and testimonies from witnesses, which collectively pointed towards the suspect.

Investigators learned that in addition to having a caregiver, Norma Little was assisted by her two adult children, especially because she had limited mobility. Officers scoured the area for evidence — and are said to have found the keys to their case through video footage, key fob activity, and witness statements.

Helena Little had allegedly left the apartment with a backpack and the family’s dog and did not return. Police identified her as the suspect in her mother’s death, and she was arrested about 5 miles away in Reston, Virginia.

The defendant is currently being held on no bond.

Fairfax County is located just west of Washington, D.C.