In the quiet community of Mathews, Virginia, a tragic and violent series of events unfolded, culminating in the death of 56-year-old Audrey Elaine Hudgins Mowrar, a white female. The incident, which also claimed the life of 54-year-old Chad Wayne Ashford, began inside a residence on the 17000 block of John Clayton Memorial Highway.
On the evening of July 10, 2025, an argument within the home escalated with deadly consequences.
According to statements later given to investigators, Carol Paul Cormier Jr., 33, became embroiled in a dispute with Ashford. In a sudden turn of events, Cormier allegedly shot Ashford multiple times. When Hudgins Mowrar attempted to call for help, she too was fatally shot by Cormier. The initial violence left both victims deceased inside the house.
The following night, on July 11, emergency services responded to a call reporting a structure fire at the same address. Fire and rescue crews battled the blaze and upon entering the home, discovered the bodies of Hudgins Mowrar and Ashford. An initial investigation at the scene revealed that both individuals had sustained multiple gunshot wounds, shifting the focus of the investigation from a fire to a double homicide and arson.
A combination of public tips, digital evidence, and license plate reader technology quickly led investigators to pursue leads in Newport News. There, law enforcement located a suspect vehicle. When Newport News police attempted to conduct a traffic stop, the two occupants, Carol Paul Cormier Jr. of Mathews County and 18-year-old Lacey Ann Horsley of Gloucester County, fled on foot. They were quickly apprehended.
During interviews with authorities, details of the crime came to light. Horsley reportedly admitted to being present during the shootings and to driving Cormier away from the scene. She also told investigators that they returned to the house the next day with the intention of setting it on fire to destroy evidence. Cormier allegedly admitted to 'losing his temper' and claimed that Horsley helped conceive the plan to burn the residence. Authorities later recovered additional evidence, including ammunition, in Gloucester Point with the assistance of a K9 unit.
Carol Paul Cormier Jr. was charged with two counts of second-degree murder, two counts of use of a firearm in the commission of murder, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and burning or destroying a residential structure. Lacey Ann Horsley faced charges of being an accessory after the fact to both murders and conspiracy to burn or destroy a residence. Both suspects were held without bond at the Middle Peninsula Regional Security Center.
