Fairfax County music teacher accused of sexually abusing former students found dead, police say

ANNANDALE, Va. (FOX 5 DC) -- A music teacher from Fairfax County who was accused of sexually abusing former students was found dead Wednesday, the Virginia State Police confirmed Friday.

In April, Jeffery Cummins, 56, was arrested and charged with eight felony counts of indecent liberties by a custodian for sexually abusing two former students, police say.

An investigation began in May 2018 when detectives say a juvenile came forward and said they were inappropriately touched by Cummins over a period of several years. Another victim came forward in January of this year alleging they had been abused by Cummins for several years.

Four additional victims came forward and disclosed to detectives that they had also been sexually abused by Cummins between 1987 and 2017, according to police.

On Tuesday, police say they had obtained nine additional felony warrants for Cummins. The charges included eight counts of indecent liberties by a custodian and one count of aggravated sexual battery.

Police say Cummins was expected to turn himself in to authorities on Tuesday afternoon, but he did not show up.

On Wednesday, Cummins body was found near Warsaw. Police are now investigating his death.

Virginia State Police say, at this time, no foul play is suspected in Cummins death, but the Office of the Medical Examiner in Richmond will conduct a complete autopsy.

Police say Cummins was a private music teacher who gave lessons in his Annadale home. Cummins was also the founder and artistic director of Virginia Music Adventures -- a traveling music group for school-age children, according to police. He was also the owner of two Huntington Learning Centers, one located in Tysons and one in Springfield. Police say he also taught at Langely School in McLean, Green Hedges School in Vienna and Washington Episcopal School in Bethesda, Maryland.

Detectives found that the investigation showed that the sexual abuse occurred both during music lessons and at other times when the juveniles were at Cummins' home.