Couple died after their family friend’s son drove to their home with his 18-year-old girlfriend and shot them to death, then returned the next day and set the home on fire to destroy evidence
Virginia – In a harrowing case from Virginia, a 33-year-old man, identified as C. Cormier, and his 18-year-old girlfriend, identified as L. Horsley, have been arrested and charged for the brutal murder of a married couple, followed by a deliberate attempt to destroy evidence by setting the victims’ home on fire.
Authorities have charged Cormier with two counts of second-degree murder for the deaths of 54-year-old C. Ashford and 56-year-old A. Hudgins Mowrar. Cormier also faces charges for two counts of using a firearm in the commission of a murder, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and burning or destroying a residence. His girlfriend, Horsley, has been charged with two counts of acting as an accessory after the fact and one count of conspiracy to burn or destroy a home.
Investigators believe that on July 10, 2025, Cormier and Horsley arrived at the victims’ home. Cormier, who had been a family friend, reportedly got into a heated argument with Ashford. During the confrontation, Cormier pulled a gun and shot Ashford multiple times. When Hudgins Mowrar tried to call 911, Cormier allegedly shot her several times as well. According to a press release from the sheriff’s office, deputies and fire crews responded around 10 p.m. on July 11, 2025, to reports of a house fire. Upon arrival, they saw flames engulfing the residence. Firefighters forced entry and pulled two adults from the burning home, but tragically, both were pronounced dead at the scene.
As the Virginia State Police Criminal Investigations Division joined the probe, they quickly determined that both victims had been shot before the fire. Using surveillance footage, license plate reader data, and public tips, investigators traced the suspects. There, local police stopped the suspect vehicle, but Cormier and Horsley fled on foot. They were eventually detained and taken into custody. Once in custody, both suspects were questioned. According to court records, Horsley admitted she had driven Cormier to and from the home. She told investigators that after the shooting, they fled, only to return the following day to set the house on fire in an attempt to destroy evidence. Cormier, during his interview, reportedly admitted to losing his temper during the argument with Ashford but blamed Horsley for suggesting the arson.
In an emotional interview, Cormier’s mother, T. Kelley, shared that Hudgins Mowrar had been her close friend for over a decade and that the families had long been intertwined. She told reporters that her son confessed to shooting Ashford and Hudgins, allegedly because he did not want any witnesses. Darby Kelley also hinted at possible personal tensions, suggesting that past intimate ties between her son and Ashford could have played a role, although Cormier has not publicly detailed his motives.
Cormier and Horsley remain in custody at the regional security center without bond. They are scheduled for another court appearance on October 28. This tragic case has left a Virginia community stunned, as a couple known to friends and family were not only murdered by someone they trusted but also had their home destroyed in an apparent cover-up. Prosecutors are preparing for what will likely be a high-profile trial, as both suspects face severe charges that could result in life sentences.
