Kidnapped woman who was chained by the neck and feet watched her captor murder her boyfriend - before being held in a crate at 100-acre farm where at least one body has already been found

  • Woman missing since August 30 has been found chained up 'like a dog' in a large metal container 
  • Kala Brown, 30, was discovered by police in the metal box on a South Carolina, property on Thursday
  • Brown had been missing with her boyfriend who she says she saw murdered by the property owner 
  • She told police Todd Kohlhepp, 45, who owns the land, killed her boyfriend, 32-year-old Charlie Carver   
  • A body was found on the 100-acre property on Friday afternoon, and fears are growing it could be Carver
  • The 32-year-old's family released a statement earlier on Friday thanking people for their ongoing support 
  • Kohlhepp was revealed to be a registered sex offender shortly after the police discovery on Thursday  
  • The Woodruff Solicitor's Office said Brown was found with chains around her neck and legs by deputies  
  • The 30-year-old woman's friends said she started working for Kohlhepp cleaning houses before vanishing
  • Court records have also been uncovered detailing a sexual assault in 1986 that saw Kohlhepp jailed
  • Documents state Kohlhepp forced a 14-year-old girl to have sex with him by holding a gun to her head

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The woman who was found chained up like a dog in a metal container after vanishing two months ago with her boyfriend has revealed she witnessed her captor murder her partner, just hours after police found a body on the 100-acre property.

Kala Brown told police that she had watched Todd Kohlhepp, 45, the man on whose 100-acre property she was found, murder boyfriend Charlie Carver, 32.

Spartenburg coroner Rusty Clavenger confirmed a corpse had been unearthed by police, less than 24 hours into the investigation of the sprawling property in Woodruff, South Carolina.

The sex of the discovered body was not revealed, and police said they are still searching for three more.  Fears are growing one of the bodies they are searching for could be Carver.

Brown was discovered on Thursday by deputies acting on a tip-off they received. She and Carver had last been seen on August 30. The 32-year-old's car was found on the property on Thursday night. 

It also emerged Friday that Kohlhepp had been convicted of raping a 14-year-old at gunpoint when he was 15.

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Kala Brown, 30, was found chained up in a metal container on a South Carolina property after being missing since August
After Brown was discovered on Thursday, police began a massive search of the 100-acre South Carolina property

Kala Brown, 30, was found chained up in a metal container on a South Carolina property after being missing since August. She had been hired by the property's owner to help clean the homes he was selling

The man who owns the property, Todd Kohlhepp (pictured), is a registered sex offender
Brown went missing with her boyfriend, Charlie Carver, 32, on August 30 this year

The man who owns the property, Todd Kohlhepp (left), is a registered sex offender. Brown went missing with her 32-year-old boyfriend Charlie Carver (right) on August 30, and says she saw Kohlhepp murder him. Carver is still missing

Todd Kohlhepp (pictured in blue shirt) appeared at a bond hearing at the Spartanburg County Detention Center Friday. He is likely to face at least one murder charge, and is being held without bond. His first court appearance is set for January 19

Solicitor Barry Barnette said Kohlhepp was 'a very, very dangerous individual' who kept chains in his bedroom, along with silenced handguns, assault weapons and an 'unbelievable' amount of ammunition

Solicitor Barry Barnette said Kohlhepp was 'a very, very dangerous individual' who kept chains in his bedroom, along with silenced handguns, assault weapons and an 'unbelievable' amount of ammunition

Late Friday evening, Brown's family released a statement saying the brave survivor needed privacy to cope with what had happened.

'While Kala is doing well physically, emotionally she's having good moments and bad moments,' the family said.

'She's requesting privacy at this time and will make an official statement as soon as the authorities give her permission to do so. Right now Kala needs time to process and begin to cope with the events that have occurred. 

'She thanks everyone for their love and support.'

Earlier, on Friday afternoon, Kohlhepp appeared before court for a bond hearing in the Spartanburg County Detention Center.

There, lawyers for the Woodruff Solicitor's Office said that Brown told deputies she saw the 45-year-old murder her boyfriend.

Solicitor Barry Barnette said Brown saw her captor shoot her boyfriend dead, and described him as 'a very, very dangerous individual.' She added: 'She told us this individual did kill him in her presence.'

Kohlhepp had a public defender during his appearance. He was not handcuffed, but sat with his hands behind his back.

Barnette then went on to tell the hearing Brown was found with chains around her neck and ankles, and that addition chains were found in Kohlhepp's bedroom, along with an 'unbelievable' amount of ammunition.

Investigators also found silenced 9mm handguns and assault weapons, he said.

He is to remain in jail without bond until his first court hearing on January 19, the judge ruled. 

A county sherriff helicopter lands at a property owned by Todd Kohlhepp, where a body was found on Friday afternoon

A county sherriff helicopter lands at a property owned by Todd Kohlhepp, where a body was found on Friday afternoon

Police are seen standing around a hole in the ground that had been dug as part of the search for bodies on the property Friday

Police are seen standing around a hole in the ground that had been dug as part of the search for bodies on the property on Friday

A look at Kohlhepp's Facebook page suggests that the man became considerably more active online after Carver and Brown's disappearance on August 30.

Chilling: In a chilling Facebook post 16 days after Brown and Carver went missing, Kohlhepp posted about how most people who vanish turn up again

Chilling: In a chilling Facebook post 16 days after Brown and Carver went missing, Kohlhepp posted about how most people who vanish turn up again

Between the start of July and the end of August, he only posted nine times, mostly showing properties that Kohlhepp - a realtor - was selling.

But in September he posted more than 40 times - sometimes multiple times a day, and more frequently about his feelings and thoughts on life.

The first post in this more active phase is on August 31, the day after the couple disappeared, in which he appears to have been focusing on the news.

'Its wednesday, the trash people picked up my trash at 5:30 this morning,' he wrote. 'this post is still way more interesting than whats on the news.. carry on.'

A more chilling post came on September 15, when he wrote: 'Reading the news.. this person missing, that person missing, another person missing.. oh wait.. that person just went to beach with friend, other person found with her parole violation boyfriend...

'In the event I become missing, please note no one would take me. I eat too much and I am crabby, they would just bring me back or give me 20 bucks for a cab ride. 

Abuse: Kohlhepp also said that his family would hit him for as little as setting down a cup too hard at the table. His Facebook usage increased dramatically after the couple disappeared

'Most likely if I am missing, its because my dumb ass did something on that tractor again and I am too stubborn to go to the doctor... I got 9 lives.. I aint done yet..' 

And in a post from September 26, he talks about how he was beaten by several members of his family.

'In my family you got backhanded for talking back or being disrespectful... actually acting up ended up a spanking that was epic.. you do NOT want to make the same mistake in my family again,' he said, going on to complain about rioters he'd seen on the news.

'My family believed raising me was a group effort,' he added in the comments. 'That means when I messed up, mom beat my a**, step father beat my a** when he got home.. next time I went to grandparents I got my a** beat... they made a believer out of you..'

He continued: 'you stood up for anthem, you shut up with adults spoke.. you sure as hell never set that cup down hard on the table.. noooooooooooo... and cop an attitude over anything... well.. you lost tv, bike.. friends that month..

'After the spanking.. you just didnt act up... these kids ( and adults ) just dont know.... damn shame too.. they might learn to appreciate if they did.'

Carver's family have said that some of the Facebook posts that he apparently made after his disappearance were out of character, and they believe that his account was hacked by someone who made fake updates.

Police stand guard outside a building on the property owned by Kohlhepp, who was arrested after a woman was found chained up in a metal container

Police stand guard outside a building on the property owned by registered sex offender Todd Kohlhepp, who was arrested after a woman was found chained up in a metal container

Police use a backhoe on the massive property in South Carolina as part of the ongoing search for as many as four bodies investigators believe may be buried on the land

Police use a backhoe on the massive property in South Carolina as part of the ongoing search for as many as four bodies investigators believe may be buried on the land

Helicopters were seen at the property on Friday morning, along with a backhoe and police dogs that were being used in nearby woods as part of the search.

A Greenville News reporter who flew over the property noted on Twitter that there was what appeared to be a camouflaged metal storage shed on the land.

Kohlhepp, who owns the 100-acre property, was also arrested for the kidnapping and sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl in 1986, when he was 15. He was jailed from 1987 to 2001 over the incident.

Court documents, obtained by WFXG, detail how Kohlhepp pointed a 'small blue steel handgun at (the victim's) head' and led her into his house. Inside, he 'placed gray duct tape over her mouth' and 'tied her hands together with a rope', before removing her clothes and 'forcing the victim to have sexual intercourse with him'. 

The judge who ruled on the case described Kohlhepp as 'impulsive, explosive, and preoccupied with sexual content' from the age of nine. 

'He has not changed. He has been unabatedly aggressive to others and destructive of property since nursery school. 

'He destroys his own clothing, personal possessions and pets apparently on whim,' court papers state. The documents also cite a psychiatrist's report that says the 45-year-old has 'emotional difficulties and poor impulse control'. 

Kohlhepp got his realtor's license in 2006, before background checks for applicants were made compulsory. 

A mugshot of Kohlhepp after his arrest shows him with a cruel smirk. 

TODD KOHLHEPP'S SHOCKING PAST AS A 'MONSTER' WHO WAS JAILED FOR RAPING A 14-YEAR-OLD GIRL

Court documents from an incident in 1986 that saw Todd Kohlhepp jailed for 14 years have shed light on his shocking past. 

Kohlhepp, who owns the property where Kala Brown was found chained up like a dog in a metal container on Thursday, kidnapping and sexual assault of a girl when he was 15 years old.

A sentencing report, obtained by WFXG, claims Kohlhepp lured the girl outside by telling her an ex-boyfriend wanted to talk to her.

Kohlhepp raped a 14-year-old girl at gunpoint in 1986, when he was 15, and openly admitted to the crime when police arrived to question him. This mugshot from that arrest shows him with a cruel smirk. He was jailed from 1987-2001

Kohlhepp raped a 14-year-old girl at gunpoint in 1986, when he was 15, and openly admitted to the crime when police arrived to question him. This mugshot from that arrest shows him with a cruel smirk. He was jailed from 1987-2001

When the two were outside, he then pointed a 'small blue steel handgun at her head' and 'told her to walk down the alley towards his house.' 

Once they got into Kohlhepp's bedroom, according to the documents, he duct taped her mouth, tied her hands together, and, 'removed her clothes, then his clothes and forced the victim to have sexual intercourse with him.'

The victim allegedly told police Kohlhepp had threatened to kill her and her siblings if she told anyone about the incident, however she still called police when she got home.

The document continues: 'When contacted by police, the defendant was holding a .22 caliber rifle which was pointed at the ceiling. When questioned regarding this incident, the defendant fully admitted his guilty and indicated he used the victim’s ex-boyfriend as a ploy.'

The judge who ruled on the case described Kohlhepp as 'impulsive, explosive, and preoccupied with sexual content' from the age of nine.

'He has not changed. He has been unabatedly aggressive to others and destructive of property since nursery school. He destroys his own clothing, personal possessions and pets apparently on whim,' court papers state. 

The documents also cite a psychiatrist's report that says the 45-year-old has 'emotional difficulties and poor impulse control'.

It described him 'destroying his bedroom with a hammer; destroying other children’s projects; hitting other children; cloroxing a goldfish; shooting a dog with a BB gun; being dismissed from the Boy Scouts because he was too disruptive; shredding his own clothes'.

The judge's report said: 'He is extremely self-centered with high levels of anti-social personality functioning, and likely continuing aggressive behaviors toward others in the future.'  

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Brown was found on a property in Woodruff, South Carolina, police announced on Thursday evening

Brown was found on a property in Woodruff, South Carolina, police announced on Thursday evening

Carver's family released a statement on Friday afternoon, shortly before Kohlhepp's bond hearing got underway.

'We, Charlie David Carver's family, would like to begin by saying how wonderful it is Kala has been found and that she is receiving care and is back with family and friends,' it read.

'The outpouring of concern and affection from the community has been overwhelming and we are very thankful. 

'At this time we know that no more than what has been reported within the media or statements made by law enforcement.

'We ask that you continue to pray for Kala's healing and for David's safe return as well. In the meantime, we ask for some time to ourselves as we process events as they unfold.

'Thank you for your understanding and expect updates as they become available.'

It was reported on Thursday Kohlhepp is a real estate agent, and Sheriff Wright said Brown worked for suspect. 

Brown's close friend, Leah Miller, confirmed the 30-year-old started working for Kohlhepp only weeks before she vanished.

She said Brown helped Kohlhepp clear and clean properties before he put them on the market, according to Greenville Online

'I was supposed to be helping Kala, but I recently had neck surgery,' Miller said.

A private property sign can be seen on a fence surrounding  Kohlhepp's 100-acre property in Woodruff, South Carolina

A private property sign on a fence surrounding registered sex offender Todd Kohlhepp's property, in Woodruff, South Carolina

A police staging area is seen being set up on the property where Brown was found in a metal container on Thursday

A police staging area is seen being set up on the property where Kala Brown was found in a metal container on Thursday

A county sherriff helicopter flies over the South Carolina property, where police are conducting a massive investigation after the discovery of Brown on Thursday

A county sherriff helicopter flies over the South Carolina property, where police are conducting a massive investigation after the discovery of a missing woman on Thursday

A shed for animals is seen surrounded by a wire fence on the property owned by Kohlhepp

A shed for animals is seen surrounded by a wire fence on the property owned by Todd Kohlhepp

'I'm just in shock, wondering if she tried to reach me to help her before she disappeared.'  

Another friend, Lindsey Mayson, told WSPA the suspected kidnapper did not seem like a bad person when she met him.

'We went by his house to get a key before we went by his house to clean. Didn’t seem like a person who would do anything to anybody. He seemed down to earth,' Mayson said.  

Earlier, Wright said Brown was 'chained inside the container like a dog' when police found her.

He said she told deputies she had been kept in the container - which measured 30 feet by 15 feet by 10 or 12 feet - for two months and had been fed regularly. 

'It's all by God's grace that we found that little girl alive,' Wright told NBC News.

A massive investigation is now underway on the 100-acre property owned by Kohlhepp. Authorities search a field on the property above

A massive investigation is now underway on the 100-acre property owned by Kohlhepp. Authorities search a field on the property above

A deputy is seen leaving out of Kohlhepp's home carrying a computer on Thursday

A deputy is seen leaving out of Kohlhepp's home carrying a computer on Thursday

A massive investigation is now underway on the 100-acre property, according to WYFF4.  

Brown has since been taken to local hospital for treatment and Wright said she was 'obviously traumatized' but 'alive and well,' according to The State

She reportedly told police as many as four bodies may have been buried on the property.

Wright also said deputies have found several weapons and ammunition.

'We're trying to make sure we don't have a serial killer on our hands,' Wright told WYFF. 

'(It) very possibly could be what we have.'

Another deputy is seen leaving the home carrying  a brown paper bag filled with evidence form Kohlhepp's home

Another deputy is seen leaving the home carrying  a brown paper bag filled with evidence form Kohlhepp's home

Authorities said Brown (picutred) had a chain around her neck when she was found on Thursday
Brown (pictured) told deputies she had been kept in the container for two months and had been fed regularly

Authorities said Brown (pictured left and right) had a chain around her neck when she was found on Thursday. She told deputies she had been kept in the container for two months and had been fed regularly

Brown has told investigators that there may be other victims.

Kohlhepp will be charged with kidnapping and there is a possibility more charges are to come, Wright said.

'We're trying to get all this sorted out and figure out what were going to charge him with,' Wright told WYFF.

'One of the charges will be kidnapping, it could be murder. It could be a number of things.'

Anderson Police Chief Jim Stewart said his department's investigation into the disappearance of Brown and Carver led authorities to the property near Woodruff, 80 miles northwest of the state capital of Columbia, where the woman was found.

Kohlhepp (pictured in a Facebook photo) was added to the sex offender registry in 1987
The 45-year-old (pictured) was convicted and sentenced to prison for kidnapping and dangerous crimes against children in Arizona

Kohlhepp, pictured in a Facebook photo right and in a mugshot in March, right, was added to the sex offender registry in 1987 when he was convicted and sentenced to prison for kidnapping and dangerous crimes against children in Arizona

Kohlhepp (pictured flying) is a licensed pilot, records indicate
Kohlhepp (pictured in a shot for his job) is also a licensed real estate agent

Kohlhepp, pictured left as a pilot and right in a photo for his real estate work, is due to appear for an initial hearing on Friday afternoon

Stewart said more than a dozen search warrants were issued.

'We got computer and cellphone records that ultimately led us to the area in Woodruff,' Stewart said. 

'We knew that was the last place that a cellphone tied to this case pinged.'  

Kohlhepp was added to the sex offender registry in 1987 when he was convicted and sentenced to prison for kidnapping and raping a 14-year-old girl in Arizona in 1986.

Records indicate Kohlhepp, orginally from Arizona, is a licensed real estate agent as well as a licensed pilot.

Authorities removed the cars from Kohlhepp's garage include his BMW

Authorities removed the cars from Kohlhepp's garage include his BMW

Kala Brown (pictured) and Charlie Carver had been dating for a few months before they vanished on August 30
Carver (pictured) and Brown were last seen together leaving a friend's home on August 30

Brown (left) and Carver (right) had been dating for a few months before they vanished on August 30

He is listed as a self-employed and as the owner/broker in charge at Todd Kohlhepp and Associates LLC located in Greenville on his Facebook page.

Carver and Brown were last seen together leaving a friend's home on August 30. 

The next day, surveillance footage caught Carver leaving his work. That day marked the last the couple's friends or family heard from them.

Carver and Brown had been dating just a few months, and had moved in together over the summer as Carver was going through a divorce.

After failing to answer calls or messages from their loved ones, the couple's parents searched their apartment a few days later and found Brown's Pomeranian inside without any food or water.

As the search for the missing couple started, Carver's Facebook - which he does not typically use - started becoming more and more active. Above shows an exchange on his Facebook page on September 6

As the search for the missing couple started, Carver's Facebook - which he does not typically use - started becoming more and more active. Above shows an exchange on his Facebook page on September 6

Medications and Brown's glasses were also left behind in the abandoned apartment.

Neighbor Nicholas Arocho told Greenville Online that Carver's family took Pomeranian and paid the couple's rent for a couple of months after they disappeared.

The family later packed up the couple's belongings, he said.

As the search for the missing couple started, Carver's Facebook - which he does not typically use - started becoming more active.

Relatives believe that the account has been hacked. Above, a message that someone received from Carver saying he was 'fine'

Relatives believe that the account has been hacked. Above, a message that someone received from Carver saying he was 'fine'

On September 1, the account posted an update that the two had gotten married and then on September 6 his profile picture was changed. 

Other posts include links to stories and GoFundMe fundraisers for the missing couple.

There are also several bizarre posts unrelated to the couple's disappearance, such as memes and comic book illustrations.

The most recent post from October 2 reads: 'What color ribbon supports the cure for people who can't keep their nose out of other people's business?'

When one concerned family member reached out to Carver on the account, they received a private message saying 'yes I'm fine'.

But family members believe the account was hacked since the posts are not in Carver's style. 

Meanwhile, Brown's Facebook - which she used more than her boyfriend - has been completely silent. 

A friend of Brown and Carver's mother told police that someone the couple knows has 'given them problems before'.

Brown's car was found in her apartment complex and her cellphone had not been used in the 48 hours before she vanished. 

Kohlhepp is scheduled for an initial hearing at 2 pm at the Spartanburg County Jail. 

Pictures of the couple and 'MISSING' posters were shared on Facebook after their disappearance in August

Pictures of the couple and 'MISSING' posters were shared on Facebook after their disappearance in August

Carver's car, a 2002 white Pontiac Grand Prix with a South Carolina license plate number HWY124, was found on the property on Thursday

Carver's car, a 2002 white Pontiac Grand Prix with a South Carolina license plate number HWY124, was found on the property on Thursday

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