On Friday, July 11, 2025, at approximately 10:00 p.m., the Mathews County Sheriff’s Office 911 Center received a call regarding a structure fire in the 17000 block of John Clayton Memorial Highway. The Mathews County Sheriff’s Office, along with Mathews County Fire and Rescue, responded to the scene and observed flames coming from the front of a residential structure.
Fire and Rescue personnel battled the blaze and made emergency entry into the home. Two individuals were located and pulled from the fire. Both were pronounced deceased at the scene. The male victim was identified as 54-year-old Chad Wayne Ashford, and the female victim was identified as 56-year-old Audrey Elaine Hudgins Mowrar.
The Mathews County Sheriff’s Office contacted the Virginia State Police Criminal Investigations Division, who assisted with processing the scene. Investigators observed multiple suspected gunshot wounds on both victims.
Public assistance, digital evidence, and Flock license plate readers ultimately led investigators to Newport News, where leads and a suspect vehicle were pursued. Two suspects were located, and the Newport News Police Department initiated a traffic stop. The suspects fled on foot but were ultimately detained. They were identified as 18-year-old Lacey Ann Horsley of Gloucester County and 33-year-old Carol Paul Cormier Jr. of Mathews County.
The investigation revealed that both victims were shot and killed on Thursday, July 10, 2025. The suspects fled the scene and returned the following day with the intention of burning the residence to destroy evidence. Investigators, with the assistance of Newport News Police, were able to recover the vehicle used in the commission of the crime. Additional evidence was later recovered in Gloucester Point with the help of K9 Lycan from the Gloucester County Sheriff’s Office.
Arrests Made:
Lacey Ann Horsley
- § 18.2-19: Accessory after the fact in the murder of Chad Ashford
- § 18.2-19: Accessory after the fact in the murder of Audrey Hudgins Mowrar
- § 18.2-22 / § 18.2-77: Conspiracy to burn/destroy a residential structure
Carol Paul Cormier Jr.
- § 18.2-32: Second-degree murder of Chad Ashford
- § 18.2-32: Second-degree murder of Audrey Hudgins Mowrar
- § 18.2-53.1: Use of a firearm in the commission of each murder
- § 18.2-308.2: Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon
- § 18.2-77: Burning or destroying the residential structure
Both suspects are being held without bond at the Middle Peninsula Regional Security Center.
The Mathews County Sheriff’s Office extends sincere gratitude to our Mathews County 911 Dispatch Center for their expertise in handling tips and providing critical analytical support. Your professionalism and dedication were instrumental in advancing this case.
We are also grateful to our law enforcement partners: the Newport News Police Department, Gloucester County Sheriff’s Office, Virginia State Police CID and Fire Investigators, and Mathews County Commonwealth’s Attorney Marie Walls for her invaluable guidance.
A special thank you to the Mathews Volunteer Fire Department for preserving critical evidence and to the Ladies Auxiliary for on-scene hydration and support. We also thank the Mathews County Rescue Squad for their assistance and continued presence throughout the scene processing.
Lastly, to our community: thank you for your patience, tips, and continued support. We could not do what we do without you.
