In a disturbing turn of events that has shocked a Florida community, authorities have arrested a 46-year-old man accused of brutally murdering his girlfriend and creating a web of lies to mislead police.
Andrew Ridgeway was apprehended in Georgia on February 7, just days after his girlfriend, 49-year-old Stacy Powell, vanished without a trace. What began as a routine missing person report quickly escalated into a gruesome homicide case—one that police say revealed both shocking violence and calculated deception.
A Vanishing That Set Off Alarms
The first sign of trouble appeared when Powell failed to log into work on February 4. She had always been punctual, which made her sudden absence alarming. When she remained out of contact for two full days, her employer notified police.
Officers visited Powell’s Auburndale home on February 6, expecting to find her there. Instead, they found a handyman performing cabinet repairs. He told officers the house was empty and gave no indication that anything was wrong.
But something was very wrong.
Security Cameras and a Phone Call That Raised Eyebrows
While police were still at the scene, Ridgeway unexpectedly called the handyman. Investigators later revealed that he had installed surveillance cameras inside the house—allowing him to monitor the visit in real-time.
Ridgeway, sounding rattled, called to ask why police were present. When officers spoke with him directly, he spun an elaborate story. He claimed he was in North Carolina visiting Powell’s grandmother and that she had flown to Jamaica on February 5 to see her ailing father. According to him, she didn’t know when she would return.
But none of that was true.
A Web of Lies Quickly Falls Apart
Detectives quickly began fact-checking Ridgeway’s claims. Powell’s father was not in Jamaica—he was in North Carolina and hadn’t seen or heard from his daughter. Her grandmother also lived in Florida, not North Carolina.
Meanwhile, Powell’s father, alarmed after two days without contact, had already reached out to authorities.
With Ridgeway’s story unraveling and Powell still missing, investigators returned to the home. What they found confirmed their worst fears.
A House of Horrors
Inside Powell’s home, officers discovered clear evidence of a savage struggle. Blood evidence and signs of violent trauma left no doubt: she had been murdered there.
The scene was so disturbing that, according to Auburndale Police Chief Terry Storie, authorities couldn’t confirm Powell’s identity until the next day. Forensic evidence ultimately verified that she had died on February 4—the same day she missed work.
A Cross-State Arrest
Less than 24 hours after discovering the crime scene, law enforcement tracked Ridgeway to Augusta, Georgia. He was driving Powell’s car when officers pulled him over. The arrest was made without resistance.
Now in custody, Ridgeway faces multiple charges, including homicide and providing false information during a criminal investigation. While he had minor past offenses, nothing in his record suggested he was capable of such a brutal act.
“A Savage Attack”—Police React to the Crime
At a press conference, Chief Storie did not mince words. “This was a savage attack,” he stated, describing the killing as one of the most brutal he’d seen.
Investigators continue working to understand exactly what happened in Powell’s final hours. They’re reviewing surveillance footage, digital evidence, and Ridgeway’s movements in the days surrounding the murder.
A Community in Mourning
Friends, family, and colleagues now mourn the loss of Stacy Powell—a woman known for her kindness and reliability. Her sudden and violent death has left the community reeling.
“She was the kind of person who showed up for everyone,” one friend shared. “She didn’t deserve to be taken like this.”
FAQs
Who is Andrew Ridgeway?
He is a 46-year-old man now charged with murdering his girlfriend, Stacy Powell, in her Florida home.
What evidence led to his arrest?
Police discovered a violent crime scene at Powell’s home and caught Ridgeway driving her vehicle in Georgia.
What false claims did Ridgeway make?
He told police that Powell had flown to Jamaica to visit her father and that he was traveling with her grandmother—both of which were false.
Where was Ridgeway found?
Authorities located him in Augusta, Georgia, on February 7 and arrested him without incident.
Did Ridgeway have a violent criminal history?
He had minor prior offenses, but nothing that predicted the extreme violence of this crime.
What happens next in the case?
Ridgeway remains in custody awaiting extradition to Florida. Prosecutors will soon begin building the homicide case against him.