What follows is our best attempt at capturing all of it. And it seemed to be an intentional act, which we consider homicide, said Michael Duncan, a retired corporal who was part of the accident investigation team. Durch Klicken auf Alle akzeptieren erklren Sie sich damit einverstanden, dass Yahoo und unsere Partner Ihre personenbezogenen Daten verarbeiten und Technologien wie Cookies nutzen, um personalisierte Anzeigen und Inhalte zu zeigen, zur Messung von Anzeigen und Inhalten, um mehr ber die Zielgruppe zu erfahren sowie fr die Entwicklung von Produkten. There was no blood. Life became particularly messy for Alex soon afterward as a row of financial crimes that he committed also came to the forefront. Now Paul, just 22 years old and facing three felony counts, was dead. As if this immense trail of bodies and financial crimes werent enough to capture the publics attention, this story has one final wait, what moment to really drive things home. It is also believed that Buster was a close friend (and rumored boyfriend) of Stephen Smith, a 19-year-old who was killed under mysterious circumstances in 2019. The documentary series comes from directors Julia Willoughby Nason and Jenner Furst and explores the rise and fall of . It turns out that Alex Murdaugh had a nasty habit of winning financial settlements on behalf of his clients and then just keeping the money. Officials still don't know who or what killed 19-year-old Stephen Smith six years ago but his death has been widely associated with the Murdaugh family. What Stephens life was like, what I will say, is know of no evidence that would support any kind of relationship between Stephen and Buster, said Michael Hemlepp, attorney for the Smith family. But I do believe that the truth is going to come out. 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. Justin Bieber has canceled the remaining dates of his Justice world tour after postponing many shows last year for health reasons. . This is in line with Alex Murdaugh's history of financial crimes. In fact, it was one of the first files I ever received related to this story, Folks said. Sandy Smith, Stephanie Smith and myself, we have said all along, we would like to have justice for Stephen, the law firm said. One Christmas, he and Buster were given a 300 Blackout rifle each as presents. Smith was a high school classmate of Murdaugh's son Buster . Fury of the Gods Brings Back the "Shazamily": Inside DC's New Superhero Adventure, Scream 6's Brutal NYC Trip: "You Can't Trust Anyone" This Time, Cocaine Bear Is Not Just About a Killer "Coked-Up" Bear, It's Also an "Underdog Story", How Marvel's Wastelanders Podcast Created an Exciting Story with No Visual Safety Net, Murdaugh Murders Explained: The Real Life Story Behind the Netflix Series. While police were still searching for Mallory Beach, Alex arrived at the hospital and went room to room to speak with the survivors. We hope she gets them. 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. Smith was one of the few openly gay individuals in his school. Satterfields death was accepted as an accidental trip and fall despite several suspicious circumstances. Buster has experienced grief unlike anyone else; both his mother and brother were murdered. His body was found about 15 miles from the Murdaugh's Moselle estate. Is Chinas threat akin to rise of Nazi Germany? He said he was not aware Paul ever got a replacement gun and did not see him using a Blackout that wasnt his. In the video, sent at 7.56pm on 7 June 2021, Mr Murdaugh is seen in trousers, loafers and a blue button-down shirt on the grounds of the estate. Blanca Simpson, who worked as the Murdaugh family housekeeper for several years and did their laundry, testified that she never saw the clothing Mr Murdaugh was wearing on the morning of the murders again after that day. The first was that of a high school student, Stephen Smith, back in 2015. July 8, 2015: Stephen Smith, 19, is found dead on Sandy Run Road in Hampton County. Buster Murdaugh, 26, was a high school classmate of Smith, who was described as a loving jokester by friends and family. He even had his shoes on. As the night progressed, Paul and his friends decided to head to an oyster roast on nearby Paukie Island via a Murdaugh family boat. 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. In September 2021, the state police opened an investigation into her death. 2. But the real break in Smiths case came after the double murder of Maggie and Paul Murdaugh. Paul is the platonic ideal of the spoiled rich boy archetype and the police arriving on the scene of the accident certainly treated him as such. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service, Privacy Policy and Cookies Policy. After HBO Max's Low Country: The Murdaugh Dynasty and ID's The Murdaugh Murders: Deadly Dynasty, Netflix has decided to wet its paws with the twisted story of Alex Murdaugh and his family that has attracted the world's attention to Hampton County in South Carolina. There was also a belief among the high school teachers that Buster used to regularly get his schoolwork done by Stephen. However, the deaths of Maggie and Paul Murdaugh in June 2021 shocked the nation after the mother and son were fatally shot. He had blunt force trauma. Offers may be subject to change without notice. But the more devastating reality behind this unfortunate incident is that another rescue attempt was going on at the same time. The patriarch is currently on trial for the 2021 murders of his wife Margaret and younger son Paul, but the disgraced attorney has also allegedly engaged in various financial crimes. Death of Stephen Smith, July 8, 2015. 3-6. On July 8, 2015, the body of a 19-year-old named Stephen Smith was found with a fatal head wound on a road in Hampton County, South Carolina, which is part of the jurisdiction that had been run. The body of Stephen Smith, a friend and classmate of Buster Murdaugh, was found on a road in Hampton County, South Carolina. Questions have also been raised about this outfit as multiple law enforcement officials testified that Mr Murdaugh and his clothing were clean despite his claims he touched the bloody bodies of his wife and son to check for signs of life. Growing up, he said that his parents attended every game he and Paul ever played in sports and that his father coached their little league teams. 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. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division said it was opening an investigation into the death of 19-year-old Stephen Smith, . A wrongful-death suit filed by Beachs mother named Paul Murdaughs father, Alex, and older brother, Buster, alleging they facilitated his underage drinking. As the multiple Murdaugh cases have played out in the small community, rumors have spread. Long before any of the Murdaugh family's criminal activities came to light, a good friend of Buster's, Stephen Smith, passed away. He had a cell phone, he could have called somebody for help, Bland said. Stephen Smith was openly gay. Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Around 1:15 a.m. the group re-boarded the boat with Paul still driving over the objections of his friends. 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. Interestingly, Smith has denied his role in the shooting. 'Murdaugh Murders': Buster Murdaugh was accused of allegedly killing classmate and rumored boyfriend Stephen Smith in 2015 By Aayush Sharma Published on : 00:17 PST, Feb 22, 2023 Stephen Smith and Alex Murdaugh in stills from 'Murdaugh Murders: A Southern Scandal' (Netflix) Former lawyer Alex Murdaugh is on trial for the double murder of his wife, Margret "Maggie" Murdaugh, and son Paul Murdaugh, who died on June 7, 2021. As previously mentioned, Alex Murdaughs murder trial is ongoing. Due to the familys outsized political influence and power, there is a perception (and a correct one) that its members were able to easily escape any kind of trouble or scrutiny for decades. Mom found several bags of pills in your computer bag, Pauls message to his father on 6 May 2021 read. Mallory Beach's death brought enough bad PR to the Murdaughs to bring them under scrutiny, but a greater tragedy was waiting to strike them. Buster Murdaugh Girlfriend Stood by His Side Throughout Murdaugh's Trial. Murdoch testimony could be sharp dagger for Fox News: Expert, East Palestine residents report unusual symptoms, John Oliver on new AI tech: Stupid in ways we cant predict, Why TikTok is being banned on govt phones in US and beyond, COVID-19 origins drawing further scrutiny in Washington, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Buster said that there was a negative reaction in the community in the aftermath of the boat crash and it consumed his mother, making her anxious. I don't hate you. By July 2022, Alex Murdaugh was indicted with several charged including two counts of murder. Throughout the trial, Busters own apparently bad behaviour has also been on display inside the courtroom. He determined the placement of the body in the road and the injuries Smith suffered did not appear to be a hit-and-run. Six years later, state police opened their own investigation because of information they had gathered in the aftermath of the Murdaugh deaths. Thats the question that the prosecution must answer in the State of South Carolina v. Richard Alexander Murdaugh trial that is currently underway. But certainly, like Buster and Stephen had played ball together when they were younger, so you cant say theres no connection. The oldest Murdaugh son, Buster, was the same age as Stephen Smith and his twin sister. Stephen Smith was studying to be a nurse at the Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College, hoping to eventually become a doctor. On June 7, 2021, Buster Murdaugh's life changed forever. Because of this, his other son Buster Murdaugh is also facing intense scrutiny. Everyone knew that the Murdaughs were not to be messed with. While Mallory's friends Miley, Morgan, Anthony, Connor, and Paul all survived, Mallory never made it out of the water. In following with family tradition, Buster. I cant tell you. In April 2019, Paul was charged with three felonies over Beachs death including boating under the influence and was facing up to 25 years in prison. On July 8, 2015 he was on his way home from school when he ran out of gas. Following the deaths of Mallory Beach, Paul Murdaugh, and Maggie Murdaugh, SLED elected to re-open Stephen Smiths case. His mother hired a private investigator to look into the matter. Buster Murdaugh was allegedly involved in a relationship with Stephen Smith, an openly gay 19-year-old. Alex Murdaugh is currently standing trial for the murders of his wife Maggie and son Paul, and is pleading not guilty with the support of his surviving son Buster. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services. No one is sure why the brothers were there. 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