A 46-year-old Flagler County man was denied bond by a judge Tuesday after being charged with murdering his wife.

Michael Cummings is charged with the killing of his 44-year-old wife, Faith Cummings.

Deputies responded to Point Pleasant Drive Thursday in Palm Coast, where Faith Cummings was allegedly found dead by her husband, who called 911 just before 8 a.m. According to the Flagler County Sheriff's Office, Cummings told authorities that Faith possibly fell after taking a shower.

Investigators said evidence at the scene did not match his story.

While being taken into custody Monday night, Michael Cummings responded to questions about his wife's death.

"I love my family," Cummings said. "I always have. I'm protective of my family...I didn't kill her." 

Cummings called 911 Thursday saying he had been performing CPR  on his wife for hours. But when first responders arrived at the home, they said it appeared the woman had been dead for some hours.

During the investigation, Cummings was asked several times to leave the residence but refused.

Investigators say Cummings tried to clean the crime scene before first responders arrived. But the sheriff says blood splatter experts, along with the extensive injuries to the victim, proved this was no accident.

"We believe an argument started in the garage over infidelity," said Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly. "We believe that Faith Cummings fled into the bathroom to protect herself but the ex-husband followed and brutally attacked her. 

"The attack continued in the guest bedroom."

Investigators said every rib in Faith Cumming’s body was broken, plus her right eye was black and blue. The sheriff doesn’t believe this was pre-meditated. That's why Cummings is facing second degree murder charges.

Neighbor speaks out

Jonathan Ibanez, who was the Cummings’ neighbor, said nothing ever seemed out of the ordinary. He never heard about any problems when he hung out with Michael Cummings.

Ibanez lived near the Cummings for about a year. He said he golfed with Michael often and that his ex-wife Faith was always sweet to his family.

"She knitted a sweater for my dog. She was just a nice person never had any problems with her. She was always working — a hardworking woman," Ibanez said.

But last Wednesday, he said Michael texted him that he wanted to commit suicide.

"He texted me saying that she’s cheated on me. I’m like, how do you know? Are you assuming? I was like, don’t do nothing stupid. Calm down," Ibanez said.

Instead, Flagler County deputies say Michael took Faith's life by allegedly beating her to death in their home.

As Michael was arrested, he told reporters about his family.

"I love my family. I always have. I'm protective of my family ... I didn't kill her," Cummings said.

"I’m sorry that I didn’t call 911 when I got his text that he was going to kill himself. But I never thought twice that he would actually do something like that," Ibanez said.

Ibanez said Cummings sent him a series of texts once he had fallen asleep. When he awoke the next morning and took his kids to school, once he came back, the house was surrounded by law enforcement.

He said he thought Cummings had decided to take his own life.

"But now I know. I hope everybody else, whoever gets that from a friend or neighbor, to just call something … I didn’t think twice of it," Ibanez said. "I didn’t want to get involved. I’m thinking 'great, he killed himself,' but apparently it was the other way around."

Ibanez said he didn't think Cummings would ever hurt her, but added if he is guilty, he needs to pay.

"I hope he doesn’t come out, because he deserves to be in there forever if he did do it," Ibanez said.