Statement from Police Chief Don Roper from the Lancaster Police Department regarding updates in the case on Donnie Birchfield Jr. Suspect Charged with Murder on Churchill DriveLancaster, S.C. (October 17, 2025) â This morning, The Lancaster Police Department charged Donnie Ray Birchfield, Jr. with the Murder of Shirley Arnsdorff, 49, of Lancaster, SC. In addition to the Murder charge, Donnie Ray Birchfield, Jr is also charged with 1st Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct. Birchfield is currently being held without bond at the Lancaster County Detention Center in Lancaster, SC.On July 25, 2025, around 11:45 a.m., Officers from the Lancaster Police Department were dispatched to 425 Churchill Drive located in Lancaster, SC for a death report. Upon arrival, they found a 49-year-old female lying on the floor unresponsive. The female was pronounced deceased. During the follow-up of the death investigation, our Special Operations Unit developed evidence of a crime and on August 1, 2025, charged Donnie Ray Birchfield, Jr., 35, of Lancaster, SC with Two Counts of Neglect of a Vulnerable Adult and Two Counts of False Imprisonment. On August 6, 2025, Investigators charged Donnie Ray Birchfield, Jr with Two Counts of DVHAN and Two Counts of False Imprisonment. On August 25, 2025, Investigators charged Donnie Ray Birchfield, Jr. with Two Count of Financial Transaction Card Theft, Three Counts of Exploitation of a vulnerable adult and Financial Identity Fraud. On September 3, 2025, Financial Identity Fraud and Exploitation of a Vulnerable Adult. During the ongoing investigation of the death report, our investigators discovered evidence that led to these new charges today.Chief Don Roper stated, âThis is a heartbreaking case that has profoundly impacted our community. The Lancaster Police Department is dedicated to achieving justice for the victim and her family. We extend our sincerest condolences to the victim's family and hope that we can bring them some peace through justice. We encourage anyone with further information to come forward and assist us in this ongoing investigation.âThis case is currently under investigation by the Lancaster Police Department with the assistance of the South Carolina Attorney Generalâs Office, Lancaster County Sheriffâs Office Crime Scene Unit and Lancaster County Coronerâs Office. We encourage anyone with information regarding this incident, or any related investigations to reach out to the Lancaster Police Department at (803) 283-3313.### | Lancaster PD | Zootzle
