ST. MARYS, Pa. -- Nine years after a St. Mary's woman was raped and killed, a man has been charged in connection with her death.

Lawrence Donachy, 33, also of St. Mary's, is accused of breaking into 57-year-old Irene Challingsworth's home before raping, beating and killing her.

Challingsworth ran a beauty shop out of her home, and her body was found by a customer.

Police said they compared DNA tests from the crime scene with Donachy's DNA, collected when he was arrested on other charges. Investigators said they matched the DNA in February.

Donachy allegedly told his ex-girlfriend that no one was supposed to be home when he broke into Challingsworth's house and it was just one of many homes that he hit to support his drug habit.

According to the police affidavit, Donachy admitted to murdering Challingsworth to his ex-girlfriend, but he said he didn't act alone.

Police said Donachy has an extensive criminal record and is currently in a state prison on charges unrelated to the killing.

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