Events surrounding aprominent South Carolina lawyertied to multiple deathinvestigations have been spiraling. Murders, lawsuits and other allegationshave come to light in the past few months.
After the deaths of two family members with still no suspects identified, embezzlement accusationsand a shooting that turned into insurance fraud scheme allegations and arrests, the established Murdaugh family of Lowcountry in South Carolina has been thrust into the spotlight.
Here's what we know:
Who are the Murdaughs?
The Murdaughs are members of a prominent South Carolinalegal family that made regional headlines after Paul Murdaugh was involved in a February 2019 boat crash in Beaufort County that resulted in the death of Mallory Beach, 19, of Hampton County.
In June, Alex Murdaugh found his wifeMargaret "Maggie" Murdaugh, 52, and son Paul, 22, dead of multiple gunshots.
According to the obituary prepared by the family, Margaret “Maggie” Kennedy Branstetter Murdaugh graduated from the University of South Carolina in 1991, where she met her husband, Alex.
Paul was a junior at the University of South Carolina.
Paul Murdaugh faced 3 felony charges in fatal boat crash
Paul Murdaugh was the youngest son of Maggie and Alexander Murdaugh, and the grandson of former 14th Circuit Solicitor Randolph Murdaugh, III.
Paul Murdaugh was charged in connection with a fatal boat crash in Beaufort County on Feb. 24, 2019.The crash sent shockwaves through the Hampton and Beaufort county communities and made headlines around the state and region.
Read More:Murdaugh family killings: New documents allege civil conspiracy in fatal boat crash
The boat crash near Parris Island left Mallory Beach, 19, of Hampton County, dead and injured several other passengers. Beach was first reported missing, and her body located several days later.
Paul Murdaugh was facing three felony charges in relation to the crash, but his case was pending at the time of his death – partly for legal reasons and partly because COVID-19stalled court proceedings for months.
He was charged with one count of boating under the influence causing death, and two counts of boating under the influence causing great bodily injury, but was given a personal recognizance bond of $50,000 and never jailed.
Two months after his death, the charges wereofficially dismissed.
A wrongful death civil suit was also filed and pending against members of the Murdaugh family in relation to the fatal boat crash. On Sept, 9, Beach's family estate filed a new legal action involving Alex Murdaugh and his surviving son, Richard Alexander "Buster" Murdaugh Jr.
Maggie Murdaugh and son Paul Murdaugh found murdered
On the night of June 7, AlexMurdaugh found his wife and son shotat 4147Moselle Road, near Islandton.
Colleton County Coroner Richard Harveyreportedthat both victims were shot multiple timesand were found on the ground in front of the family's dog kennels.
As of Sept. 15, no arrests had been made in the double homicide and no suspects have been publicly named.
Three days after the bodies were discovered,Randolph Murdaugh III,longtime 14th Circuit Solicitor and partner in one of the largest law firms in the South Carolina Lowcountry,diedafter suffering from extended health problemsat the age of 81.
Previously reported:Murdaughs killed in double homicide in Colleton County
Also:Friends remember homicide victim Maggie Murdaugh on her birthday
Alex Murdaugh shot in the head
According to SLED, on Saturday, Sept. 4,at 1:34 p.m., Hampton County Central Dispatch received a 911 call from Alex Murdaugh,who reported that he had been shot in the headon Old Salkehatchie Road, a rural road near Varnville,S.C., in Hampton County.
Two days later,Alex Murdaugh announced he wasresigning from the family’s storied law firm and entering rehab. He had been accused of misappropriating funds from the firm to "fuel his opioid addiction." In a statement, he said Paul and Maggie’s murders caused “an incredibly difficult time” in his life.
Find out more:Alex Murdaugh suspended as lawyer by S.C. Supreme Court, out of Solicitor's Office, while in rehab
The eldest brother, Randolph "Randy" Murdaugh IV issued a statement regarding the events:
"I was shocked, just as the rest of my PMPED family, to learn of my brother, Alex’s, drug addiction and stealing of money. I love my law firm family and also love Alex as my brother. While I will support him in his recovery, I do not support, condone, or excuse his conduct in stealing by manipulating his most trusted relationships."
Alex's license to practice law was temporarily suspended shortly after.
Alex Murdaugh arrested, released on bond
On Sept. 14, state police announcedAlex Murdaugh's shootingwas one he orchestrated so his surviving son would inherit $10 million from his life insurance policy.
The alleged shooter, Curtis Edward Smith, was charged with assisted suicide, insurance fraud and several other counts in theSept. 4 shooting, the State Law Enforcement Division said in a statement.Smith was reportedly one of Murdaugh'sformer clients.
Police:Lawyer Murdaugh arranged own death but shot grazed
Murdaugh turned himself into police Thursday. He was charged withinsurance fraud, conspiracy to commit insurance fraud and filing a false police report, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division said.
He was granted a $20,000 personal recognizance bondon the three charges and required to surrender his U.S. Passport.
Read More:Alex Murdaugh arrested in Hampton County; granted $20,000 P.R. bond, no plea given
Murdaugh housekeeper Gloria Satterfield'sdeath being investigated
The death of Alex Murdaugh's housekeeper Gloria Satterfield in 2018 has now sparked a criminal investigation and another civil suit against Murdaugh and other parties allegedly involved.
SLED announced Sept. 15that it had opened a new investigation connected to Murdaugh. SLED is already investigating several other criminal cases involvingMurdaugh or hisfamily in some way, including the unsolved June 7 homicides of his wife, Maggie, and son, Paul.
More:2018 death of Gloria Satterfield, Murdaugh housekeeper, sparks SLED investigation, lawsuit
Satterfield's death has also sparked a second lawsuit. The first: in December of 2018, Chad Westendorf, a banker at Palmetto State Bank, filed a wrongful death suit on behalf of Satterfield's estate against Alex Murdaugh. Court documents at the time indicated that there was a settlement agreement of $500,000.
On Sept. 15, the same day that SLED announced its investigation, the heirs of Satterfield's estate filed a civil lawsuit against Murdaugh, Westendorf and other attorneys. The suit alleges that Satterfield's heirs have not received any money from the settlement.
Stephen Smithdeath linked to Murdaugh double homicide, investigation reopened
In late June, SLED announced that it had"opened aninvestigation into the death of Stephen Smith based upon information gathered during the course of the double murder investigation of Paul and Maggie Murdaugh."
Read More:SLED opens its own investigation into death of Stephen Smith; possible Murdaugh connection
Stephen Smith, 19, died on a rural road in Hampton County, S.C., in 2015 in a controversial homicidethat was officially ruled a hit-and-run. His body was found in the middle of Sandy Run Road on July 8 with deep gashes to thehead.
Soon after Smith's death, rumors hinted at a cover-up and the possible involvement of one or more members of the Murdaugh family.
During a 2015 interview, Stephen's mother Sandy Smith told a Hampton County Guardianreporterseveral times that, inher opinion, her son was killedfor being gayby severalHampton County youths from prestigious families.
Is a Netflix series about the Murdaugh murders in the works?
While rumors are swirling on social media about a Netflix series on the Murdaugh family murders, no plans could be confirmed.
According to a Sept. 8 Deadline report, however, a multi-part series for HBO Max is in the works. The streaming service is reportedlydeveloping "Murdaugh Family Mysteries" with Campfire Studios and will "investigate the mysterious, still-unraveling events" surrounding the murders of Maggie and Paul Murdaugh.
