AEW Fan Arrested After Victims Found Trapped in Basement

A deeply disturbing story out of South Carolina is making headlines—and it has an unexpected connection to pro wrestling.

Donnie Ray Birchfield Jr., the son of a pastor, has been arrested in Lancaster, SC after police uncovered a horrifying situation at his home. Authorities reportedly responded to an unattended death at the property, only to find three more individuals confined in the basement—some of whom were allegedly held there for nearly a decade.

The Law & Crime Network published a 23-minute video report detailing the allegations, including several photos of Birchfield at wrestling events. One image shows him at an AEW show during the pandemic, standing next to AEW President Tony Khan and Luchasaurus. In another photo, he’s seen at a convention posing with One Man Gang and another individual wearing an Undertaker t-shirt.

The thumbnail of the video, now circulating online, shows Birchfield wearing an AEW hoodie—an unfortunate visual that has drawn attention across wrestling social media.

He now faces 16 criminal charges, which include false imprisonment, domestic violence, financial fraud, and the exploitation of vulnerable adults.

This shocking case is still unfolding, but the visual ties to AEW have already sparked conversations among fans online—though there’s no known connection between Birchfield and the company beyond his attendance as a fan.