WEST HAVEN, CT – Authorities made a grim discovery during a routine welfare check at a West Haven home last month, finding the dismembered body of a 70-year-old woman packed into more than a dozen trash bags within a locked closet. Now, her 27-year-old son, Theodore Lloyd, faces charges related to attempted arson and trespassing, with more serious accusations pending as investigators continue their work.
The investigation began when Tina Lloyd’s elder son, concerned for her wellbeing, requested a welfare check on March 24. Responding officers were immediately hit by the pungent smell of decomposition upon entering the Nashawen Avenue residence.
Inside, they uncovered a chilling scene: 14 to 16 trash bags containing dismembered body parts, along with evidence suggesting an attempt to set the house ablaze.
Chief Joe Perno of the West Haven police force confirmed that the identification of Tina Lloyd was delayed due to the condition of the body, with DNA testing eventually confirming her identity. Surveillance footage proved instrumental in pinpointing her son, Theodore, as the primary suspect. The footage purportedly shows him acquiring tools for the crime, such as an electric chainsaw, from local stores.
Detective Jeff Gavinelli noted that throughout the house, officers found cutting tools as well as lighter fluid and paper, which were seemingly intended for arson. Theodore Lloyd, who had previously lived with his mother but left after a domestic incident in 2018, was reportedly homeless around the time of her murder.
Although investigators have not released a motive, Theodore Lloyd was apprehended by Hartford police on April 14 and is currently being detained on a $1 million bond. As the case unfolds, the community is left grappling with the shock of losing a familiar face in such a gruesome manner.
Neighbors expressed disbelief and sorrow over Tina Lloyd’s tragic end. Denny Steeves, who lives nearby, fondly recalled how she frequently traversed the street with her walker, displaying steadfast independence. “We missed her, we hadn’t seen her in months. She was just a lovely person—this is such a tragedy,” he said.
The investigation continues as authorities piece together the events leading up to Tina Lloyd’s death, seeking to ensure justice is served in what remains a deeply unsettling case.