Music Teacher Accused Of Sexually Abusing Students Found Dead

ANNANDALE, VA—An Annandale music teacher accused of sexually abusing former students has been found dead, according to Fairfax County Police. The body of Jeffery Cummins, 56, was found near Warsaw, Virginia on Wednesday, June 19.

In April, police charged Cummins with eight felony counts of indecent liberties by a custodian when two victims reported they were inappropriately touched. After four more victims reported sexual abuse, police obtained eight warrants on June 13 for indecent liberties by a custodian and one for aggravated sexual battery.

There were arrangements for Cummins to turn himself in at Fairfax County Adult Detention Center on Tuesday, June 18. He never arrived.

Virginia State Police are conducting an investigation into his death. A medical examiner in Richmond is performing an autopsy. Police do not suspect foul play.

Cummins was a private music teacher and gives lessons in his Annandale home. He also founded Virginia Music Adventures, a traveling music group for children, and owned Huntington Learning Centers in Tysons and West Springfield. The centers have been shut down.

He also taught at Langley School in McLean, Green Hedges School in Vienna and Washington Episcopal School in Bethesda, Maryland.

A letter sent to Langley School families in May noted that one of the victims was a former student. "After researching the circumstances and speaking with this former student, it is our understanding that the school promptly took steps to address the situation at the time of the report," stated the letter from Head of School Elinor Scully. "Our hearts go out to this former student and anyone who may have had similar experiences."

Detectives began investigating the victims' claims last May. Police say the sexual abuse incidents happened between 1987 and 2017.