Columbia man accused of hiding body after homicide pleads not guilty

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Columbia man accused of killing a woman and hiding her body in a trash bin that was found in a creek pleaded not guilty Monday.

Andrew Acton pleaded guilty during his arraignment before Judge Stephanie Morrell. Last week, a Boone County grand jury indicted Acton, who is accused of killing his romantic partner and disposing of her body in a trash bin that was found in a creek in May, moving the case to circuit court.

Andrew Acton is accused of strangling or smothering the 47-year-old woman sometime between Oct. 1, 2025, and May 10, 2026. The grand jury indictment gave the victim's initials as C.A.C., and describes the cause of death as "neck impression."

Acton was indicted on the same charges that were filed against him earlier in the investigation -- second-degree murder, abandoning a corpse and evidence tampering.

A fisherman initially recovered the trash can at the Providence boat access, who reported seeing a human leg wrapped in a blanket inside. Authorities have not publicly released other details about the case, including a motive.

Acton was arrested after investigators matched the truck he was driving with one spotted on surveillance video hauling the trash bin near Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area.