Woman chained in metal container for 2 months sues suspected serial killer

WOODRUFF, S.C. — Kala Brown, the woman who was locked inside a metal container for more than two months, filed a lawsuit in civil court on Thursday seeking damages from suspected kidnapper and serial killer Todd Kohlhepp.

Brown was discovered by detectives searching Kohlhepp's property in rural South Carolina when they heard a banging coming from inside the container on Nov. 3.

Brown was found chained up "like a dog" inside the container after she went missing, along with her boyfriend, on August 31, according to police.

Brown's suit alleges that after going out to the property "for the purpose of work that involved cleaning up," Kohlhepp "presented a firearm and took Miss Brown hostage," and "chained and locked her inside a metal shipping container."

The suit seeks damages, alleging that Kohlhepp "forcefully kidnapped and imprisoned her, threatened and actually committed physical assault and battery upon her person, and intentionally and negligently inflicted severe emotional distress upon her."

Brown's lawyers allege that she was subjected to intentional infliction of emotional distress, false imprisonment, assault and battery.

Brown, 30, told investigators that she witnessed Kohlhepp shoot and kill her boyfriend, Charles Carver. Carver's body was later found in a shallow grave on the property.

Police suspect Kohlhepp's involvement in a total of seven killings.

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