South Carolina Inmate Charged With 2023 Murder After DNA Links Him to Greenville Woman’s Death
GREENVILLE COUNTY, S.C. — A man with a long history of violent offenses has been charged with murder after DNA evidence linked him to the death of a Greenville County woman found in Lakeside Park last year, authorities said.
The Greenville County Sheriff’s Office announced that Robert Wilson Voorhees, who was already incarcerated, has now been charged with the 2023 killing of 57-year-old Janet Abrilz. Her body was discovered along a park trail on August 27, 2023, by a passerby.
Investigators Trace DNA to Suspect Already Behind Bars
Officials said investigators with the Homicide Unit confirmed probable cause after DNA results tied Voorhees to the victim. The autopsy determined Abrilz died from blunt force trauma, and investigators believe her death occurred between August 24 and August 25, 2023.
Voorhees, 43, has been in custody at the Greenville County Detention Center on unrelated charges. The DNA results, according to a report by WYFF News 4, finally provided the evidence needed to connect him to Abrilz’s unsolved death.
A Violent Criminal History Spanning Two Decades
Records show Voorhees is no stranger to the criminal justice system. He has faced repeated accusations of violent crimes, including sexual assault and assault with intent to kill.
In June 2025, Voorhees was accused of threatening the life of a public official. The year prior, in June 2024, he was charged with first-degree criminal sexual conduct, kidnapping, and aggravated assault after allegedly attacking a woman who was left in critical condition.
Earlier records from 2015 show Voorhees was arrested in another sexual assault case, in which detectives described him as a suspect known for “assaulting numerous females in the same area.” His criminal record includes multiple convictions for indecent exposure, assault and battery, and aggravated assault dating back to the early 2000s.
Community Relief After Break in Cold Case
Residents in Greenville County expressed relief that the 2023 murder case finally has a suspect after more than a year of uncertainty. Local law enforcement said the breakthrough underscores the importance of DNA technology in solving violent crimes.
Investigators have not commented on whether Voorhees will face additional charges or when his court appearance will be scheduled.
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