TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Sheriff: Estranged husband killed pair

ADVERTISEMENT

By JOSH POLTILOVE AND LISA DAVIS

jpoltilove@tampatrib.com ldavis@tampatrib.com

Published: October 24, 2009

NEW PORT RICHEY - Michael McAdams shot and killed his estranged wife and her boyfriend, then buried their bodies in a remote area of western Hernando County, Pasco County Sheriff Bob White announced Friday.

Lynda McAdams and William "Ryan" Andrews were shot to death Sunday at her Dade City home, White said. The couple were reported missing by family and friends who believed they wouldn't disappear without notifying loved ones.

Pasco deputies quickly honed in on Michael McAdams, 47, as a suspect. Lynda McAdams had been planning to get a divorce after 24 years of marriage, and he had moved from their home on Palomina Drive to Hernando County, authorities say.

Asked whether Michael McAdams killed the couple out of jealousy, White said, "I think that I could draw that conclusion at this time, perhaps."

Michael McAdams told deputies Friday that he had fatally shot his wife and Andrews after a confrontation at the home on Palomina Drive, White said.

McAdams then led detectives to where they were buried, White said.

White said McAdams has been cooperative. "I understand that he wanted to get it all off his chest," White said.

The sheriff described the area where the bodies were buried as remote, saying McAdams probably found it while pursuing his hobby of collecting snakes.

"That's how he knows where those remote areas are," White said.

McAdams was in custody, but it was not clear late Friday what charges had been filed.

White said Michael and Lynda McAdams had separated but were not divorced.

Investigators say they were unaware of any violent incidents involving the McAdamses.

And White said Michael McAdams' co-workers had indicated he appeared to be accepting of the divorce.

"There was certainly no indication Michael McAdams would react in the way he reacted," White said.

"Only he can tell us what went through his mind, and only he can tell us what transpired."

Investigators are combing four crime scenes: Michael McAdams' home, those of the victims and the burial site in western Hernando County.

"We'll wait until daylight to process the scene where the bodies are buried," White said. He said investigators don't want to disturb any evidence by working in the dark.

Lynda McAdams, 46, and Andrews, 37, of New Port Richey, worked together at Bic Graphics in St. Petersburg but had not shown up for work or called since last week. That was uncharacteristic, according to the company's human resources director.

Clayton Andrews of Largo said he learned of his brother's relationship with McAdams when the family gathered at their father's home in Ocala over the weekend.

"He told me he was hanging out with this girl and he knew her from work," he said.

The relationship appeared to be just weeks old, and Andrews seemed happy, his brother said.

Reporter Lisa A. Davis can be reached at (727) 815-1083. Reporter Josh Poltilove can be reached at (813) 259-7691.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT