Woman, 64, suspected of murder in death of her 92-year-old mother in Huntington Beach

The daughter of a 92-year-old Huntington Beach woman was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of killing her, according to police.

The arrest of Cynthia Strange, 64, of Irvine came after weeks of investigation, police said. Strange’s mother, Ruth, was found dead at her home in the 6800 block of Vista del Sol Drive on Sept. 4.

Officers went to Ruth Strange’s home just before 11 a.m. that day after getting a call from someone saying she could not be reached, police said. The caller had tried to pick her up for a doctor’s appointment, officials said.

When Ruth’s body was found, detectives began a homicide investigation because of suspicious circumstances surrounding her death, police said.

The investigation led to evidence linking Cynthia Strange to the case, according to police. She was arrested on suspicion of murder and booked into Huntington Beach Jail. She was being held without bail.

Her arraignment is scheduled for Thursday, according to the Orange County district attorney’s office.

Police did not release other details, as the investigation is continuing.

Neighbors said Wednesday that Ruth’s body was found in the pool, though police would not confirm that or discuss other circumstances of her death.

Residents said authorities have been to Ruth’s home repeatedly since Sept. 4, talking to neighbors and inspecting the scene.

Neighbors said Ruth used to sell Mary Kay cosmetics but in recent years wasn’t very mobile and wasn’t often seen leaving the house. Her husband, Bob, who died a few years ago, was much more active and would walk the neighborhood and put birdseed on the lawn to attract ducks, neighbors said.

Since her husband’s death, neighbors said, a car belonging to a daughter of Ruth’s was seen in the driveway nearly every day.

Some neighbors who had seen the daughter come and go said they didn’t recognize the police mugshot of Cynthia. It was unclear how many daughters Ruth had. Family members could not immediately be reached Wednesday, and police had no comment.

UPDATES:

1:50 p.m. Oct. 3: This article was updated with additional details from neighbors and authorities.

This article was originally published at 8:45 p.m. Oct. 2.