Va. man gets 3 life sentences for sexually assaulting, violently killing neighbor with Down syndrome

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (TCD) -- A judge sentenced a man to three life sentences in prison for sexually assaulting and strangling his neighbor with Down syndrome to death soon after she moved into her own apartment.

NBC Washington reports David Cunningham was handed the sentence Thursday, June 1, for killing 23-year-old Melia “MJ” Jones. Jones was found dead in her apartment on Van Dorn Street in Alexandria on Dec. 7, 2021, and the medical examiner ruled her death a homicide the next day.

Alexandria Police arrested Cunningham on Jan. 11, 2022, on a charge of second-degree murder.

Prosecutors called the incident an "extremely violent murder."

According to NBC Washington, Jones' father went to her apartment to check on her and found her dead with her "Hannah Montana" blanket around her body and a plastic bag on her head. She also reportedly had a T-shirt tied around her neck.

Investigators reportedly found several traces of Cunningham’s DNA around Jones' apartment, including under her fingernails and on an aerosol can. Jones’ blood was even on the bottom of Cunningham’s sandals.

NBC Washington reports Cunningham admitted he had sexual contact with Jones the day she was killed but claimed it was consensual. The two reportedly lived in the same apartment building. WFTV-TV reports Jones got her own apartment and was living alone not long before her death.

According to her obituary, Jones previously worked at Crystal City Marriott Hotel and won Employee of the Month twice. Then, when she was at Ronald Reagan Airport as a customer service representative, she was given the Perfect Attendance Award and Employee of the Month for Accomplishments and Exceeding Expectation, as well as the Perfect Attendance Award again when she was a kiosk stocker.

Cunningham reportedly plans to appeal.

MORE:

• 3 Life Terms in Brutal Sex Assault, Murder of Woman With Down Syndrome - NBC Washington
• Neighbor Charged in 'Extremely Violent Murder' of Alexandria Woman With Down Syndrome, 1/19/2022 - NBC Washington
• APD Makes Arrest in Homicide, 1/12/2022 - Alexandria Police Department
• Virginia woman with Down syndrome slain by neighbor after moving into own apartment, 1/25/2022 - WFTV