He said he was not aware Paul ever got a replacement gun and did not see him using a Blackout that wasnt his. Paul Murdaugh could not make it to the first day of trial in relation to Mallory's death as he was brutally murdered, along with his mother Maggie, on June 7, 2021. A coroner ultimately ruled Smith's death as accidental, involving a car that hit him. As the night progressed, Paul and his friends decided to head to an oyster roast on nearby Paukie Island via a Murdaugh family boat. However, Buster was also notably spotted hugging his aunt Marian Proctor Maggies sister in court after she testified against his father, including detailing his drug use, an alleged affair years before the murders, and his odd behaviour in the wake of the 7 June 2021 murders. 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. The families of 19-year-old Stephen Smith who was rumored to be in a secret relationship with Alex's oldest son, Buster, and Murdaugh family housekeeper Gloria Satterfield are still waiting . A blue tarp and a blue rainjacket was found in a search of the home, with the jacket covered in gunshot residue particles. Although many in Hampton County claim the existence of a deeper connection between Stephen's death and the Murdaughs, there is not much evidence to back it up. In court on the week of 6 February, Buster appeared to flip the bird at attorney Mark Tinsley as he took the witness stand about the boat crash lawsuit that he brought against Mr Murdaugh. Prosecutors claim that Mr Murdaugh shot dead Maggie and Paul by the dog kennels of the familys sprawling estate in Islandton, in order to distract from his string of alleged scandals and financial crimes. We know for a fact it was not a hit-and-run. San Jose: Home raided as part of explosives and narcotics investigation, Man arrested after explosives found in bag at Pa. airport, Antioch police seek help to ID woman who allegedly fired gun inside store, swiped liquor, Maxwells appeals arguments mirror earlier claims. Stephen Smith's family reacts to Murdaugh indictment in killings of wife, son. They returned hours later and all showered at the Moselle home, he said casting doubts on testimony from the Murdaugh housekeeper Blanca Simpson that she noticed unusual things in the home on 8 June including a light puddle of water, a towel, a pair of khaki pants and a t-shirt on the ground. The Murdaugh family were undoubtedly the biggest names in small Hampton County where everyone knew everyone a point reiterated quite a few times throughout the Netflix docuseries in a possible attempt to justify the numerous perspectives that were available on the central events being discussed. The Murdaughs also ran a big law firm in the area. Ultimately the wound was just a graze and Murdaugh was released from the hospital that day. I walked from where his car was, all the way to where his body was and found nothing at all," Sandy shared. Jurors have previously seen a Snapchat video Paul sent to a friend less than one hour before the murders where he is wearing an entirely different outfit to the bodycam footage after the murders. Duncan said the Murdaugh family name came up in the initial accident investigation but didnt go anywhere. Video from the 10 June 2021 interview Mr Murdaughs second interview after the murders was previously played in court, with the sobbing legal scion speaking about the killings. In the aftermath of Maggie and Pauls murders, Buster said that his father had been destroyed and heartbroken. Unlike several other witnesses and his father at the defence table Buster did not become emotional at any point during his testimony. Meanwhile, he said his father did not appear overly anxious about the case and the family was supportive of Paul as they believed he wasnt driving the boat that weekend. All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! He hid a mystery blue item upstairs in the home and then left again, she said. The oldest Murdaugh son, Buster, was the same age as Stephen Smith and his twin sister. He Was Called to Testify in Alex Murdaugh's Trial. However, this was proved false when a video found on Paul's mobile clearly suggested that Alex was with Maggie and Paul just moments before the time of their deaths. In following with family tradition, Buster. Dies geschieht in Ihren Datenschutzeinstellungen. Would dismantling Interstate 980 repair damage to Black neighborhoods? When asked about his fathers opioid abuse, Buster says he knew a little bit about the usage of pills and knew that Maggie and Paul had confronted him about finding pills at some time. His body was found about 15 miles from the Murdaugh's Moselle estate. While he said he wasnt often present for the confrontations, he said he believed his fathers response was usually apologetic. Though Alex Murdaugh and other Murdaugh family members began committing crimes in 2014 or earlier, the inciting incident for their ultimate downfall begins in 2019. After regaining their balance and senses the six occupants of the boat regrouped to discover that one of their own, Mallory Beach was missing. In early June, a son and mother, both members of a. Home > News & Politics > News. The three men would often go hunting together on the 1,700-acre estate, he said. Several of these clients were deceased victims of vehicular accidents who Murdaugh sued on behalf of and then never delivered the winnings to their next of kin. Crime scene photos show shell casings on the floor of the dog feed house. The coroner declared the death a hit-and-run collision. It was updated with the events of the week of Sept. 12, 2021: Alex Murdaughs alleged confession that he hired someone to shoot him, and the opening of an investigation into Gloria Satterfields death. South Carolina investigators say they are picking up steam in the reopened investigation into the death of 19-year-old Stephen Smith who reportedly was close with Alex Murdaugh's oldest son, RadarOnline.com has learned. This is in line with Alex Murdaugh's history of financial crimes. OF ALL THINGS, why why why would that be one of the very few scintilla of information to be released, other than the big one: ----> The Public was not in Danger. As part of the reopened investigation, there were plans to exhume Gloria's body to carry out a proper autopsy. 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 has pleaded not guilty. His car was discovered three miles away with the gas cap off. Sandy Smith said her ex-husband died of a broken heart. In prestige terms, it all translated into unparalleled authority for the Murdaughs, who were sometimes even above the law if the interviewees of the Netflix series are to be believed. His mother referenced an earlier instance to Live 5 News where Smith ran out of gas and immediately contacted his sister for help. In fact, it was one of the first files I ever received related to this story, Folks said. Despite being visibly hammered and underage, Paul was not given a field sobriety test, taken to jail for booking, or even handcuffed. Death of Stephen Smith, July 8, 2015. Reporter Will Folks with FitsNews told NewsNation Buster Murdaughs name often came up in connection with the Stephen Smith case. Meanwhile, Mr Murdaugh appeared to smile at his son at several points. Gloria Satterfield was the Murdaugh familys longtime housekeeper. An investigator for the South Carolina Highway Patrol says that he thinks Stephen Smith's body was staged the night of his death in July 2015. There was no blood. He was destroyed, he was heartbroken, Buster said of his father, adding that he could barely speak. Buster Murdaugh and Smith reportedly graduated in 2014 from the same high school. Here is everything you need to know about the true story. Rumors have swirled about a possible relationship between Stephen Smith and Buster Murdaugh. 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. Or at least no evidence as strong as the evidence in the other murders. Thats the question that the prosecution must answer in the State of South Carolina v. Richard Alexander Murdaugh trial that is currently underway. Maybe it was purposeful. During the investigation into their deaths, new information came to light. They have not made any statement about it since. Police determined it was a hit and run. The case was ruled a hit and run and no arrests were ever made. The firm built its success in the early 2000s due to a state law that made it easier for plaintiffs to forum shop. "No car parts. She said since the case has been reopened, there have been offers of a book deal and a Netflix movie but all shes interested in is justice. He was also being sued by the family of Mallory Beach, who was killed in a 2019 boat crash. Where Is Buster Murdaugh, Did He Kill Stephen Smith? Sandy Smith, Stephanie Smith and myself, we have said all along, we would like to have justice for Stephen, the law firm said. Did Buster Murdaugh kill Stephen Smith, and his own brother Paul Murdaugh? Initially, Smith's death was ruled a hit-and-run by the coroner; however, the Smith family and Highway Patrol Investigators rejected the claim and noted that "no vehicle debris, skid marks, or injuries consistent with someone being struck by a vehicle" were found in the initial investigation. Shreejit is a freelance features writer at Collider. That tip went nowhere. Klicken Sie auf Einstellungen verwalten um weitere Informationen zu erhalten und Ihre Einstellungen zu verwalten. Witnesses for the defense and prosecutors are expected to number in the hundreds so this could be a long trial. In 2019, that all finally started to change thanks to the actions of one dipshit Murdaugh: Alex. Now, the case is being reexamined, including why some Murdaugh family members were among those first on scene. I just want answers." '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) Buster Murdaugh's Girlfriend Could Be the Key to Understanding the Murdaugh Family, Buster Murdaugh Defends His Father Amid High-Profile Double Murder Trial, What Is Buster Murdaugh's Occupation? His death was initially deemed a hit and run but the case remains unsolved. His younger brother, Paul, was killed alongside his mother in 2021. Ron DeSantis explained his feud with Disney in an op-ed for the Wall Street Journal, saying the corporation helps advance the lefts woke agenda.. The Murdaugh family has many skeletons in their closet, some of which have emerged during Alex Murdaugh's murder trial. Buster Murdaugh, center, receives a hug in the rain during the funeral service for his brother, Paul, and mother, Maggie, . Paul soon began driving erratically and by 2:20 a.m. the boat crashed into Archers Creek Bridge. Smith's injuries suggested a more nefarious cause of death. 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. In early August 2015, authorities received a tip about Smith and Buster Murdaugh possibly being in a relationship, per Live 5 News. This marks the first time the 26-year-old has ever spoken publicly about the murders of his mother and brother or about his fathers string of alleged crimes. The other passengers were Murdaughs girlfriend, Morgan Doughty; Beachs boyfriend, Anthony Cook; Anthonys cousin, Connor Cook; and Connors girlfriend, Miley Altman. SLED agents say that family guns were used to kill both victims, with Paul shot twice with a shotgun that was loaded with buckshot and steel birdshot. But Buster Murdaugh's private life has already been shown to the public. The group was returning from an oyster roast that Paul had planned. 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. Buster said Mr Murdaugh told him he was going to visit his mother Busters grandmother at his parents home in Almeda, something he said was quite typical for him to do. "SLED has . A special accident investigation team looked at the case and determined it was a homicide, but a pathologist disagreed, saying he likely died from being hit in the face by the mirror of a passing car. SLED agents reopened the investigation into Smith following the brutal double homicide of Maggie and Paul at the family's private hunting ranch, Moselle, in June 2021. He said that he didnt want to hunt there and that neither he nor his father had never stayed a single night at Moselle after the murders. Covering the hottest movie and TV topics that fans want. New details in the Paul and Maggie Murdaugh double-murder has led the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division to open the hit-and-run cold case death of 19-year-old Stephen Smith. Gunther's Millions: The True Story Behind Netflix's Rich Dog Docuseries, Shazam! In July 2022, SLED informed Alex's younger brother, John Marvin Murdaugh, that they have decided to charge Alex for the double homicide of his wife and son. 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