Affidavit: Florida man 'mad' woman wouldn't leave his room at nursing facility, then beat her to death

PALM COAST, Fla. - A Florida nursing home resident accused of choking and beating another resident to death allegedly told the staff he was "mad" that she wouldn't leave his room, according to a charging affidavit.

Cliff Mody Jr., 72, was booked into jail Wednesday on a charge of second-degree murder after he reportedly admitted to violently beating and killing a 77-year-old woman at Gold Choice Palm Coast Assisted Living & Memory Care in Palm Coast, Florida.

According to the affidavit, Mody said he was in his bed when the woman, identified as Nancy Barnard, came into his room and got in the bed with him. Nursing home staff told authorities that because of her "diminished mental capacity," Barnard would often go into rooms of other residents and try to lay in bed with them, the documents stated.

He allegedly asked her to leave, but when she didn't, he got "mad" and attacked her, before putting her in a chokehold. After the woman fell unconscious, Mody activated his "call bell" to get the attention of the nursing home staff, and admitted to attacking her.

The medical examiner said the woman died of strangulation. A judge denied Mody bond on Thursday.

Gold Choice Assisted Living received its license to operate in November 2020, and has not received any reported deficiencies from the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration. However, the Flagler County Sheriff's Office said it is looking at whether or not all property safety measures were followed that night.

"We do want to let the families know that the Sheriff and our members have them in our thoughts and prayers. It’s a horrible tragedy that’s occurred," said Chief Kim Burroughs.

FOX 35 has reached out to Gold Choice for comment.