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Newport News Man Pleads Guilty to Second-Degree Murder

A serene yet haunting hunting trail where a tragic event occurred.

News Summary

Andarius T. McClelland has pleaded guilty to the second-degree murder of 18-year-old Aonesty Selby, found dead on a hunting trail after being reported missing. Following a plea agreement, he faces up to 43 years in prison. Selby, a senior at Warhill High School, was last seen two days before her body was discovered. The investigation revealed contact between McClelland and Selby prior to her disappearance, leading to his arrest and confession. Her family continues to seek justice for the tragic loss.

Newport News – Andarius T. McClelland, a 24-year-old resident of Newport News, has pleaded guilty to the second-degree murder of 18-year-old Aonesty Selby. Selby was found dead on a hunting trail in Isle of Wight County two days after her family reported her missing. Following a plea agreement on July 9, 2025, McClelland is now facing a maximum sentence of 40 years for the murder charge, along with an additional three years for a firearm-related offense.

Aonesty Selby, a senior at Warhill High School located in Williamsburg, was reported missing on January 13, 2023, when her family could not reach her for two days. A friend discovered her phone’s GPS signal near Blue Ridge Trail in Isle of Wight, which prompted her family to search the area. During their search, they found her motionless approximately two miles into the trail. Emergency services were called, but an autopsy later revealed she had succumbed to gunshot wounds to her head and neck, all while still dressed in the same outfit worn two days prior.

Investigation into Selby’s death revealed that she had been in contact with an individual identified as “Lucas Duke,” who sent her $30 via CashApp shortly before her disappearance. Police traced this contact to McClelland through his brother, Andricus McClelland, who was leasing an apartment where Selby was last seen. Initially, Andricus stated that Andarius had left the residence alone, but later changed his account, admitting his brother left with a woman resembling Aonesty Selby.

Surveillance footage showed McClelland’s vehicle, a 2021 Dodge Charger, in Isle of Wight around 10:47 p.m. on January 11, 2023, the night Selby went missing. Around the same timeframe, Andricus reported a 9 mm handgun missing, which he later admitted to confronting Andarius about. After the incident, McClelland attempted to dispose of the firearm by asking another individual to sell it on his behalf. Authorities were able to recover the gun, which matched ballistic evidence found at the crime scene.

McClelland was arrested on January 17, 2023, but initially provided police with false details concerning his whereabouts during Selby’s disappearance. He ultimately confessed to meeting with her, but his account varied numerous times. In a recorded confession, he stated that he accidentally shot Selby after being startled by her in the woods. Alarmingly, McClelland also factory reset his phone on the date of his arrest, a tactic known to erase data before it could be accessed by law enforcement.

Selby’s family has expressed their frustration regarding the plea deal, arguing that McClelland should have faced first-degree murder charges, which carry a life sentence. The heart-wrenching loss has profoundly affected Selby’s family. Her mother has conveyed the immense pain caused by the tragedy and voiced concerns that McClelland could pose a threat to others.

McClelland’s sentencing is scheduled for November 24, 2025, and it is anticipated that family and friends of Aonesty Selby will testify against him during the hearing, seeking justice for the young victim whose life was tragically cut short.