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In August 2025, Donnie Ray Birchfield Jr., 35, of Lancaster, S.C., was accused of keeping four vulnerable adults in his basement

In July, one of the people he allegedly held captive, Shirley Arnsdorff, 49, of Lancaster, was found dead in his house

Birchfield is now charged with murder in connection with her death, authorities say

A South Carolina man accused of holding four vulnerable adults in his basement for years and spending their money is now charged with murder in connection with the death of one of his alleged captives, authorities say.

On Friday, Oct. 17, Lancaster Police Chief Don Roper announced at a news conference streamed on Facebook that Donnie Ray Birchfield Jr., 35, is charged with murder in connection with the death of Shirley Arnsdorff, 49, of Lancas

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