The once-prominent Murdaugh family of South Carolina is now in disarray. Following the brutal execution-style murders of Margaret “Maggie” Murdaugh, 52, and her son, Paul Murdaugh, 22, outside their hunting lodge three months ago, the investigation seemed to stall. The family patriarch, Randolph Murdaugh III, passed away shortly after, and Duffie Stone, the chosen successor for the 14th district solicitor, mysteriously recused himself from the case. Compounding the tragedy, a maid had died under suspicious circumstances, and the investigation into the mysterious death of Stephen Smith, found on a desolate road, has been reopened, hinting at potential connections to the Murdaugh family.
But as if the situation couldn’t deteriorate further, shocking revelations emerged.
Imagine a man of privilege, sun-kissed and seemingly unaffected by the troubles of the world. The Murdaugh family has held the position of solicitors for South Carolina’s 14th District since 1920, a legacy that ended in 2006. Alex Murdaugh owns a sprawling 1,770-acre estate, known as Moselle, complete with a hunting lodge. His son had faced criminal charges following a tragic boating accident that resulted in a young woman’s death. With a quivering double chin above his seersucker suit, Alex Murdaugh seems to have stepped out of a mediocre Southern novel.
This is the same Alex Murdaugh who discovered his wife and son’s lifeless bodies. During a frantic 911 call, he emphasized that his hunting lodge was not merely a trailer, but a house. On September 3, his law partners confronted him regarding the embezzlement of millions, leading to his resignation. The very next day, he suffered a gunshot wound to the head.
Into the Depths of Despair
Murdaugh claimed he was shot after stopping to change a tire on his Mercedes. After a suspicious encounter with a passing pickup truck, he was left bleeding by the roadside and was airlifted to a Savannah hospital where he was treated for a skull fracture and brain bleeding. Following his release, he entered rehab for an alleged addiction to opioids. The South Carolina Bar suspended his law license.
While Murdaugh’s attorney insisted his injuries were not self-inflicted, a gun wasn’t found at the scene, and his tire was reported as slashed.
Then, on September 14, it was revealed that Murdaugh had been spiraling into a “massive depression” due to his opioid withdrawal. In a desperate move, he hired Curtis Edward Smith, 61, from Walterboro, SC, to kill him, believing it would ensure his surviving son, 25-year-old Richard “Buster” Murdaugh, would receive a $10 million life insurance payout—unbeknownst to him, the policy had a suicide exclusion.
The hit attempt was a disaster; Smith fired at least seven shots but failed to kill Murdaugh. Afterward, he claimed to have disposed of the firearm. It’s worth noting that Smith had previously been Murdaugh’s personal lawyer and allegedly acted as his drug dealer.
Murdaugh’s confession to law enforcement came shortly after the shooting. He retained the same prominent state senator, Dick Harpootlian, who had defended Paul in the boating incident. Smith has since been charged with various crimes, including assisted suicide and insurance fraud.
Meanwhile, the investigation into the deaths of Maggie and Paul continues, with Harpootlian stating they are pursuing leads regarding a possible suspect.
Did You Remember the Maid?
Let’s not forget about the maid, Gloria Satterfield, 57, who died in what was initially reported as a “trip and fall” accident in September 2018. Murdaugh’s insurance company paid out $500,000 for wrongful death claims, but the circumstances surrounding her death are now under scrutiny, as the local coroner has raised concerns about inconsistencies in the case.
Satterfield’s sons are now seeking justice, having hired a lawyer who isn’t connected to Murdaugh, claiming they were misled in the handling of their mother’s estate. The saga of Alex Murdaugh is turning into a modern Southern gothic tale, fraught with tragedy, deceit, and moral decay.
Murdaugh is expected to surrender to law enforcement soon.
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Summary
Alex Murdaugh’s life has unraveled amid shocking revelations of family tragedy, embezzlement, and a failed suicide plot involving a hired hitman. With investigations into multiple suspicious deaths and mounting legal troubles, the Murdaugh saga exemplifies the dark side of privilege and entitlement.