A violent abduction and assault investigation in Augusta County has ended with the victim dead and a...

A violent abduction and assault investigation in Augusta County has ended with the victim dead and a 41-year-old Waynesboro man behind bars.

The Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation Salem Field Office and the Augusta County Sheriff's Office have arrested Nicholas F. Huczko, 41, of Waynesboro, in the Town of Clifton Forge.

Huczko is charged by the Augusta County Sheriff's Office with abduction by force and malicious wounding. Virginia State Police charges are currently pending.

According to investigators, the incident began around 1:11 p.m. Wednesday, November 4, when the Augusta County Sheriff's Office received a report of a possible abduction near Swisher Truck Lane and Lee Jackson Highway in the Staunton area.

A 911 caller reported witnessing an assault and seeing an individual forcibly placed into a vehicle before it fled the scene.

Deputies arrived around 1:20 p.m. and quickly determined that a violent assault and abduction had taken place.

Investigators followed leads to the Clifton Forge area of Alleghany County, prompting a coordinated response involving the Augusta County Sheriff's Office, Alleghany County Sheriff's Office, Clifton Forge Police Department and Virginia State Police.

Authorities located the victim, identified as Dylan Cowgill, 21, of Waynesboro, at a residence in Clifton Forge. Cowgill was suffering from life-threatening injuries and was transported for medical treatment.

He later died at the hospital.

The investigation remains active and ongoing. Authorities say no additional information will be released at this time due to the sensitive nature of the case.

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Source note: Star News TV · Nov 6, 2026 2:02 PM.