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Lancaster man accused of beating his wife to death with hammer

LANCASTER, S.C. — A Lancaster man is accused of beating his wife to death after a woman was found murdered in her home over the weekend.

According to authorities, 58-year-old Mildred Burris Arnold was found by her daughter Sunday inside her house at 213 South York Street. Channel 9 has been told Arnold’s body was found wrapped in a blanket.

During the investigation into Arnold’s death, her husband, 49-year-old Matthew James Alman, was arrested on an unrelated drug offense, officials said. Authorities said a substance that appeared to be blood was found on Alman’s clothing during the booking process.

Officials said a framing hammer that appeared to have blood and hair on it was found during a search of Arnold’s home and is believed to be the murder weapon. A pair of Alman’s boots, which also had a blood-like substance on them, were found as well, authorities said.

Neighbors told Channel 9 that they heard the couple having a late-night argument over the weekend, but didn’t expect it could lead to murder.

Neighbor Mae Hunter said she had spoken to the couple before.

"He seemed pretty nice, like this was the last thing I expected," Hunter said.

Mildred Burris Arnold’s daughter, Stephanie Arnold, said Alman had been with her mother for decades, but they had only been married for a few years. According to Stephanie Arnold, there were always problems in their relationship.

"He always hurts her, he always steals her car, steals her money," Stephanie Arnold said.

Officials said Alman gave false information to family members about his wife's whereabouts in the 24 hours leading up to her reported death. Family members told Channel 9 that Alman said she was sick and couldn’t talk to them.

Stephanie Arnold said she went to her mother's home with her sister after her mother didn't answer text messages and kicked in the door.

"When we went into the kids’ room, it looked like a scene from a movie,” Stephanie Arnold said. “She was just laying there, like helpless.”

She added that the house smelled like disinfectants, like someone had tried to clean.

Mildred Burris Arnold watched over her grandkids for both of her daughters, and neighbors said they often saw the children playing with their kids.

“Hearing her grandkids say, 'No, not my mama.' That, that broke my heart," Hunter said.

Alman appeared before a judge Monday on murder charges and is currently in jail, officials said. His bond has been denied.

Channel 9 has learned that Alman has additional pending cases against him, including burglary and drug charges.

Check back with wsoctv.com for updates on this story.

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