Man accused of setting woman on fire in Sampson County has been arrested

Authorities have arrested a man accused of setting a woman on fire in Sampson County.

Around 10 p.m. on Saturday night, deputies and firefighters responded to a home on Pine Street in Roseboro, where they found Courtney Witschger, 36, suffering from burns to two-thirds of her body.

Witschger told deputies a man forced his way into her home, doused her in gasoline and set her on fire. She claimed he left on a gray and red bicycle.

The Sampson County Sheriff's Office arrested Franklin “Frankie” Paul Faircloth, 29, on Monday.  Authorities found Faircloth near the woods behind a home off of Butler Island Road. 

Faircloth is facing charges of first-degree arson, attempted murder, first-degree burglary, assault with serious bodily injury and a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence. 

Authorities are holding Faircloth on no bond. He is due in court again on Thursday.

An arrest warrant states Faircloth and Witschger were in a "dating relationship."

Neighbors told WRAL News that sirens and lights on Saturday night were a shock to the close-knit community.

"We're a down-to-earth neighborhood," one neighbor said. "We look out for each other. We've had no trouble since I've been here for 27 years."