Smith was a high school classmate of Murdaugh's son Buster . His son, wife, and housekeeper were all dead. He said that there were no instances he could think of when his father disappeared for periods of time appearing to cast doubts on the states suggestion that he disposed of evidence in the aftermath of the murders. The boat was driven by Paul Murdaugh, then 19. In the bodycam footage, the disgraced attorney is wearing a white short-sleeved t-shirt and shorts. For now at least. He even had his shoes on. Accident investigators agreed. In the year and a half since, no new details have come to light but SLED reports it has "made progress" and the case remains "active and . After regaining their balance and senses the six occupants of the boat regrouped to discover that one of their own, Mallory Beach was missing. People said that Smith and Murdaugh were dating, which made the circumstances of his death even more controversial. While Mallory's friends Miley, Morgan, Anthony, Connor, and Paul all survived, Mallory never made it out of the water. This is when most folks outside of South Carolina became aware of the Murdaugh name and its wisely where Murdaugh Murders elects to begin its story. 8. In 2015, Stephen Smith was killed in a hit-and-run accident, in which Buster Murdaugh was reportedly involved. At the time of his death more than two years later, Paul Murdaugh was out on bail and awaiting trial on felony charges of boating under the influence. He was a known associate and occasional friend of Buster and several interviews in Murdaugh Murders mention cite rumors that the pair had a romantic relationship. While SLED (and documentaries the world over) delve into the circumstances of Smiths death, there is currently no public-facing evidence for the Murdaugh familys involvement in his murder. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Buster's name has also cropped up in connection with the mysterious death of Stephen Smith - a 19-year-old gay teenager who was found dead at the side of a road in Hampton County in 2015. Postal Service will buy more than 9,000 Ford electric delivery vehicles, one year after an initial plan to buy predominantly gas-powered vehicles sparked controversy. Perhaps by the end of it, Netflix will feel compelled to order Murdaugh Murders season 2. Several claim that he tried to get them all on the same page and assert that Paul wasnt driving the boat. Michael DeWitt: Stephen Smith was a young man living in Hampton County. Following Stephen's death, his father made claims that Buster and Stephen had been seeing each other romantically, although Buster . If any one genre takes the cake for him, it is none other than good ol' fashioned horror. She also went to the scene of the crime to take a look around. Mom found several bags of pills in your computer bag, Pauls message to his father on 6 May 2021 read. "I hope they enjoy their day because we're going to enjoy ours. Included in this group was Alex Murdaughs youngest son Paul Murdaugh. They had friends in common and they didnt move in the same circles. One of the cases now being re-examined is the death of Stephen Smith, 19, whose body was found on a rural road in 2015. His younger brother, Paul, was killed alongside his mother in 2021. The charges were dropped after his murder. Judge Clifton Newman is said to have issued multiple warnings to several members of the Murdaugh family about their behaviour in court and they were told to move to the back of the courtroom. His death was ruled a. Generally speaking, its a good idea to wait until a case is all wrapped up before giving it the true crime docuseries treatment. In July 2015, Stephen Smith's death on Sandy Run Road in Hampton County was ruled a homicide and then a hit-and-run before finally being closed as an "accidental death." There were no tire or skid marks at the scene or blood on Smith's clothes. All free. The case of 19-year-old Stephen Smith is often mentioned in the same sentence on . Miss Manners: I shouldn't call because the phone scares people? The case was ruled a hit and run and no arrests were ever made. Throughout the weeks-long trial, Buster and several other family members have put on a united front, supporting Mr Murdaugh in court every day. He was also being sued by the family of Mallory Beach, who was killed in a 2019 boat crash. In an eerie fashion, the docuseries also explores the other deaths scattered over the years that were connected with the Murdaughs. The Murdaugh family is a prominent dynasty of lawyers from the Low Country in South Carolina, with Low Country referring to the distinct cultural and geographical region on the southeast coast of the state. by Matt Dillane. The coroner declared the death a hit-and-run collision. Possible tornadoes sweep across Oklahoma; one dead, Study: Back-to-back hurricanes likely to happen more often, California recovers after storm brings blizzard, heavy rain, Michigan power crews work, California recovers after storms, Turkey launches investigation into 612 people after quake, Los Angeles area still blanketed by snow in rare heavy storm, Not true: Restaurant denies report connecting Kohberger to victims, Retracing Brian Walshes movements after wife disappeared, Missouri pastor stops gunmen during church service, Norfolk Southern offered sick pay for fewer inspections: Union, This feature may be making your iPhone charge slower. The oldest Murdaugh son, Buster, was the same age as Stephen Smith and his twin sister. Buster has experienced grief unlike anyone else; both his mother and brother were murdered. The first to appear at the scene was Alex, who called 911 to report the shocking homicide. No tire marks or no debris from a vehicle found on scene after several . After that, Buster Murdaugh's name kept coming up. In the new Netflix documentary about the Murdaugh murders, locals who knew the family and Smith said there was speculation that Buster and Smith had a secret relationship. On Sept. 4, 2021, Murdaugh called 911 to report that he had been shot in the head while he was changing a tire on the side of the road. Gov. His testimony marked the first major witness for the defence, which began its case on Friday afternoon. And the streamers patience may have already paid off. The Murdaughs also ran a big law firm in the area. July 8, 2015. In a small town, the went to school together and would have known one another. TV Editor at Den of Geek and Television Critics Association member. Murdaugh, a well-known lawyer, found. On June 7, 2021, Buster Murdaugh's life changed forever. Alex Murdaugh was trying desperately to save his son's name. Several people came forward with rumors of a "fling" between Smith and Buster Murdaugh. No one is sure why the brothers were there. (NewsNation) As Alex Murdaugh heads to trial for the murder of his wife and son, there is another mysterious case that has led investigators back to the Murdaugh family. But certainly, like Buster and Stephen had played ball together when they were younger, so you cant say theres no connection. He was a very sharp kid; As a young gay man, he was cautious and so he wouldnt have been walking down the road. The Den of Geek quarterly magazine is packed with exclusive features, interviews, previews and deep dives into geek culture. The 26-year-old told the court how he lived with his family Maggie, Paul and Mr Murdaugh in Beaufort before they moved to Hampton County in 2000. One Christmas, he and Buster were given a 300 Blackout rifle each as presents. Murdaugh Murders does an excellent job of telling this massive tale but it still might be helpful to run through the real life story of Alex Murdaugh, the Murdaugh family, and the many people they hurt. The defense called Buster Murdaugh on February 21. Stephen Smith was studying to be a nurse at the Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College, hoping to eventually become a doctor. Years before Maggie and Paul. Sources told FITS News that when Buster was then asked to move to the back of the courtroom, he allegedly kicked over a water bottle in anger. Smith was one of the few openly gay individuals in his school. Around 1:15 a.m. the group re-boarded the boat with Paul still driving over the objections of his friends. He had almost single-handedly brought down his familys shining century-long dynasty. 1. Very upset about various sporting events. During the states case, Mr Murdaughs attorneys have hinted at a range of theories they plan to present including that there was two killers and that the murders were tied to a local drugs gang. Meanwhile an attorney named Justin Bamberg began investigating Murdaughs finances on behalf of eight people who claim Murdaugh victimized them. Addressing the missing clothing, Buster testified that his father had clothes a lot of places including the familys various homes adding that they never stayed at Moselle after that day. Distractify is a registered trademark. On June 25, Alex and his surviving son, "Buster," offered a $100,000 reward for the killer or killers. A family attorney later elaborated that Murdaugh had pulled over with car trouble before he was shot, possibly by someone in a passing pickup truck. Jurors have so heard four weeks of dramatic testimony from 61 prosecution witnesses covering a trove of circumstantial evidence, including cellphone and car data, a damning video allegedly placing Mr Murdaugh at the crime scene and apparent holes in his alibi for the time for the murders. Several friends and partners at Mr Murdaughs law firm PMPED were also there and they stayed for several hours before Buster, his father, girlfriend and uncle John Marvin went to Mr Murdaughs parents home in Almeda. A one-stop-shop for all things video games. Satterfields death was accepted as an accidental trip and fall despite several suspicious circumstances. While no suspects have been named in the seven years since Smith, 19, was found dead in the middle of the road in Hampton County, South Carolina, the Murdaugh family name was featured over 40 times in the investigative documents, according to local reports. Alex Murdaugh, the patriarch of a powerful and wealthy South Carolina legal family whose wife and son were mysteriously murdered in June, has now been shot. But the real break in Smiths case came after the double murder of Maggie and Paul Murdaugh. Buster refuted this testimony, saying that his father said they did him so bad after listening to the footage in court. His death was initially deemed a hit and run but the case remains unsolved. Eric Bland, an attorney involved in several cases connected to Alex Murdaugh, said the scene didnt fit with what Smiths family knew about him. . Currently, Murdaugh is on trial for murder for the deaths of his wife, Maggie Murdaugh, and their son, Paul Murdaugh. His car was discovered three miles away with the gas cap off. The family also operates the law firm Peters Murdaugh Parker Eltzroth & Detrick, now known as The Parker Law Group. Smith's injuries suggested a more nefarious cause of death. Moreover, the lapses in the immediate investigation by the local investigators, the Department of Natural Resources, exposed the workings of a powerful network that the Murdaughs had woven over years. Amidst this ruckus, on September 4, 2021, Alex called 911, claiming that he was shot in the head while changing a tire on the side of the road. Stephanie Whiteside, Paige Lobdell, Rich McHugh. Alex Murdaugh is indicted on two counts of murder. On June 7, 2021 at 10:06 p.m., Alex Murdaugh called 911 and reported he had discovered the dead bodies of his son Paul and his wife Maggie near the dog kennels at their hunting lodge. The Murdaughs 57-year-old housekeeper died in a hospital three weeks after injuries suffered at their home, having never regained consciousness. It also showed that he stayed just 21 minutes at his parents home that night less than half the 45 minutes to an hour he claimed to police. Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. He sounded odd and then he told me that my mom and brother were shot, he recalled. Buster testified that he never saw a gun loaded with both types of ammunition and didnt know anyone who would do that. Bamberg theorizes that Murdaugh may have defrauded 30-50 people to the tune of $20 million. South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) certainly did. However, the deaths of Maggie and Paul Murdaugh in June 2021 shocked the nation after the mother and son were fatally shot. I spoke to my mom every day multiple times everr day and my dad and my brother too, he said. At first, Buster said that he just sat there in shock. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services. Here's what we know. Stephen Smith was openly gay. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service, Privacy Policy and Cookies Policy. Long before any of the Murdaugh family's criminal activities came to light, a good friend of Buster's, Stephen Smith, passed away. Meanwhile, Mr Murdaugh appeared to smile at his son at several points. Sandy Smith said her ex-husband died of a broken heart. Days later, Alex confessed to scheming his own suicide with the help of an associate, and South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) arrested Alex's associate, Curtis Edward Smith, for his attempt to assist in a suicide schemed by Alex himself to help his son, Buster, claim $10 million from the insurance company. During the investigation into their deaths, new information came to light. All Rights Reserved. Daten ber Ihr Gert und Ihre Internetverbindung, wie Ihre IP-Adresse, Browsing- und Suchaktivitten bei der Nutzung von Yahoo Websites und -Apps. Copyright 2023 Radar Media Group LLC. Buster Murdaugh Girlfriend Stood by His Side Throughout Murdaugh's Trial. Sandy Smith, Stephanie Smith and myself, we have said all along, we would like to have justice for Stephen, the law firm said. The Murdaughs are members of a prominent S.C. legal family that first made regional headlines after Paul Murdaugh was involved in a February 2019 boat crash in Beaufort County that resulted in. Stephen Smith died in 2015 and, the docuseries alleges, may have had a relationship with Alex Murdaugh's other son Buster. Police believe Smith ran out of gas while on his way home from college, though his family questions this. The death was never reported to the coroner, and no autopsy was conducted. Breaking. Death of Stephen Smith, July 8, 2015. relationship between Stephen Smith and Buster Murdaugh, Source: YouTube/Law&Crime Network (video still). Additionally, the teenager had injuries to his left hand and arm. The map above shows locations of key events in the saga of the Murdaugh family. In May 2022, Murdaugh made a settlement with Gloria's family. In what marks the first time the 26-year-old has ever spoken out publicly about the murders, he recounted the moment that he learned that his mother and brother were dead. Everyone survived apart from Mallory Beach, 19, whose body washed up on shore around a week later. Mr Murdaugh was also sued by the Beach family, with prosecutors saying that the lawsuit was picking up pace in the days before the murders, and that the disgraced attorneys finances were about to be exposed because of it. Under brief cross-examination, the prosecutor brought up that Mr Murdaugh had suggested his son went hunting at Moselle after his mother and brother were gunned down there. "Another rumor claims Buster Murdaugh and two other boys were responsible for [Smith's death]," said the outlet. Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Witnesses for the defense and prosecutors are expected to number in the hundreds so this could be a long trial. 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