**Mathews County, VA** — The Mathews County Sheriff’s Office has announced the arrest of two individuals in connection with a devastating double homicide and arson case that unfolded last week. Through a collaborative effort involving multiple law enforcement agencies, advanced technology, and critical community support, authorities apprehended Lacey Ann Horsley and Carol Paul Cormier Jr., marking a significant milestone in this ongoing investigation.
**Incident Overview
On Friday, July 11, 2025, at approximately 10:00 p.m., the Mathews County 911 Center received a report of a structure fire in the 17000 block of John Clayton Memorial Highway. Deputies from the Mathews County Sheriff’s Office, alongside Mathews County Fire and Rescue, responded promptly to the scene. Upon arrival, firefighters observed flames engulfing the front of a residential property. After battling the blaze, they entered the home and discovered two unresponsive individuals. Despite attempts at life-saving measures, both victims were pronounced dead at the scene.
The victims were identified as:
– **Chad Wayne Ashford**, 54 years old
– **Audrey Elaine Hudgins Mowrar**, 56 years old
Investigators from the Virginia State Police Criminal Investigations Division assisted at the scene and observed that both victims had sustained multiple gunshot wounds, indicating a violent crime prior to the fire.
**Investigation and Apprehension
Through a combination of public tips, digital evidence, and data from Flock License Plate Readers, investigators traced the suspects to Newport News. The Newport News Police Department located a vehicle linked to the suspects and attempted a traffic stop. The suspects, identified as **Lacey Ann Horsley**, 18, of Gloucester County, and **Carol Paul Cormier Jr.**, 33, of Mathews County, fled on foot but were swiftly apprehended on Sunday, July 13, 2025.
Further investigation revealed that the victims were shot and killed on Thursday, July 10, 2025. The suspects returned to the scene the following day, Friday, July 11, with the intent to set the residence on fire to destroy evidence of their crime. Key evidence was recovered from the suspects’ vehicle with assistance from the Newport News Police Department. Additionally, the Gloucester County Sheriff’s Office, with the help of K9 Lycan, located further evidence in Gloucester Point, strengthening the case against the suspects.
**Charges Filed
The following charges have been filed against the suspects:
**Lacey Ann Horsley
– Accessory after the fact in the murders of Chad Ashford and Audrey Hudgins Mowrar (§ 18.2-19)
– Conspiracy to burn or destroy a residential structure (§ 18.2-22 / § 18.2-77)
**Carol Paul Cormier Jr.
– Second Degree Murder of Chad Ashford and Audrey Hudgins Mowrar (§ 18.2-32)
– Use of a firearm in the commission of both murders (§ 18.2-53.1)
– Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon (§ 18.2-308.2)
– Burning or destroying a residential structure (§ 18.2-77)
Both Horsley and Cormier are being held without bond at the Middle Peninsula Regional Security Center in Saluda.
**Gratitude and Community Support
The Mathews County Sheriff’s Office expressed deep gratitude to the community and partner agencies for their invaluable assistance in resolving this case. Special thanks were extended to the Newport News Police Department, the Gloucester County Sheriff’s Office, and K9 Lycan for their critical roles in the investigation. The Sheriff’s Office also acknowledged the public’s tips and support, which played a pivotal role in identifying and apprehending the suspects.
The Sheriff’s Office continues to seek information from the public to further assist in the investigation. Anyone with relevant details is urged to contact Investigator Rice at the Mathews County Sheriff’s Office at 804-725-7177.
“We ask our community to pray for the victims’ families during this difficult time,” the Mathews County Sheriff’s Office stated, emphasizing the profound impact of this tragedy on the close-knit community.
