Man allegedly imprisoned 4 people in his basement over 10 years, resulting in death

LANCASTER, S.C. (WKRC) – A man was arrested for allegedly keeping four adults captive in his basement across a 10-year-long span, during which he controlled every aspect of their lives – eventually resulting in death.

Donnie Ray Birchfield Jr., 35, was arrested on August 1 and charged with over a dozen crimes including exploitation of a vulnerable adult, financial fraud, false imprisonment, and domestic violence. Warrants obtained by local outlet WSOC said that Birchfield kept the prisoners against their will and denied food, medical treatment, and communication.

Police began investigating Birchfield on July 25 after learning about a death that occurred in the home and was not reported, per Post and Courier. During the initial search of the home, police determined the woman died a day prior and found evidence of physical abuse, malnourishment, and lack of adequate medical treatment.

Even more shocking was the discovery that the victim wasn’t alone in Birchfield’s basement – a total of four adults had been held captive, the outlet reported.

The victim and her husband were reportedly both vulnerable adults, meaning they were above the age of 18 but were unable to take care of themselves independently, and Birchfield was their sole caregiver. Despite this, Birchfield allegedly kept them captive in his basement and denied necessary medical treatment to both.

The other two captives were romantically involved with Birchfield, Post and Courier reported. Although one of the women had only been in the house since September of 2024, the other had been there since 2015.

Warrants obtained by the outlets said that Birchfield only allowed the victims to leave the basement when he said so, including controlling when they could eat or use the restroom. He also allegedly controlled and supervised their phones so that they could not call for help.

In addition to the regular abuse Birchfield reportedly put his victims through, he also committed financial crimes against them by using their bank cards for purchases from Walmart and to pay off his loans. A police incident report obtained by Post and Courier said that 32 of the purchases from Walmart were “solely for [Birchfield’s] use and not for the victim.” In 2025 alone, Birchfield allegedly spent $11,800 from the vulnerable couple’s bank account to pay off other credit card loans.

“That’s a sick individual right there. He’s a sick person to do something like that,” neighbor Darryl Evans told WSOC.

LANCASTER, S.C. (WKRC) – A man was arrested for allegedly keeping four adults captive in his basement across a 10-year-long span, during which he controlled every aspect of their lives – eventually resulting in death.

Donnie Ray Birchfield Jr., 35, was arrested on August 1 and charged with over a dozen crimes including exploitation of a vulnerable adult, financial fraud, false imprisonment, and domestic violence. Warrants obtained by local outlet WSOC said that Birchfield kept the prisoners against their will and denied food, medical treatment, and communication.

Police began investigating Birchfield on July 25 after learning about a death that occurred in the home and was not reported, per Post and Courier. During the initial search of the home, police determined the woman died a day prior and found evidence of physical abuse, malnourishment, and lack of adequate medical treatment.

Even more shocking was the discovery that the victim wasn’t alone in Birchfield’s basement – a total of four adults had been held captive, the outlet reported.

The victim and her husband were reportedly both vulnerable adults, meaning they were above the age of 18 but were unable to take care of themselves independently, and Birchfield was their sole caregiver. Despite this, Birchfield allegedly kept them captive in his basement and denied necessary medical treatment to both.

The other two captives were romantically involved with Birchfield, Post and Courier reported. Although one of the women had only been in the house since September of 2024, the other had been there since 2015.

Warrants obtained by the outlets said that Birchfield only allowed the victims to leave the basement when he said so, including controlling when they could eat or use the restroom. He also allegedly controlled and supervised their phones so that they could not call for help.

In addition to the regular abuse Birchfield reportedly put his victims through, he also committed financial crimes against them by using their bank cards for purchases from Walmart and to pay off his loans. A police incident report obtained by Post and Courier said that 32 of the purchases from Walmart were “solely for [Birchfield’s] use and not for the victim.” In 2025 alone, Birchfield allegedly spent $11,800 from the vulnerable couple’s bank account to pay off other credit card loans.

“That’s a sick individual right there. He’s a sick person to do something like that,” neighbor Darryl Evans told WSOC.