🧬 The Murdaugh Saga: Murder, Money, and the Fall of a South Carolina Legal Dynasty

History, Haunts, & Hahas!
Jan 28
4 min read

The Murdaugh revelations and trial rank among the most shocking true‑crime stories in U.S. legal history — blending power, privilege, tragedy, fraud, and murder in a rural South Carolina setting that captured national attention. What began as scrutiny over a fatal boat crash spiraled into years of investigation, indictments, convictions, and media portrayals that continue to unfold.

This blog lays out what happened, how it happened, and why it matters — backed entirely by trusted reporting and court records.

🧑‍⚖️ The Murdaugh Family: A Southern Legal Dynasty

For over 85 years, members of the Murdaugh family held sway in South Carolina’s Lowcountry as solicitors (chief prosecutors) of the state’s 14th judicial circuit — a role that conferred influence across Jasper, Beaufort, Hampton, Allendale, and Colleton counties.

Fourth‑generation lawyer Richard Alexander “Alex” Murdaugh was born into this legacy, practiced at the family law firm Peters Murdaugh Parker Eltzroth & Detrick (PMPED), and carried the Murdaugh name with prestige until scandals emerged.

🛥️ 2019: The Boat Crash That Opened the Investigation

The unravelling began with tragedy and public scrutiny. On February 24, 2019, Alex Murdaugh’s younger son Paul (22)allegedly operated a family‑owned powerboat while intoxicated in Beaufort County, South Carolina. The boat struck a bridge, killing 19‑year‑old Mallory Beach.

Paul was later indicted on charges including boating under the influence causing death and great bodily harm, but the criminal process was overtaken by later events.

Public anger over the collision and lawsuits against the Murdaugh family opened scrutiny of Alex’s finances and professional conduct.

🪓 June 7, 2021: The Murders

The pivotal and darkest event occurred on June 7, 2021 at the Murdaugh family’s hunting estate in Islandton, South Carolina — a property known locally as Moselle.

That night, Alex Murdaugh called 911, reporting he had found his wife, 52‑year‑old Maggie (Margaret “Maggie” Murdaugh), and his son Paul, 22, shot dead near the dog kennels on the property.

Police arriving on scene found both bodies with multiple gunshot wounds, with different types of firearms used — a rifle for Maggie and a shotgun for Paul — making it clear that this was not an accident.

🧠 Investigation and Evidence

Initially described as a “double homicide,” the case drew scrutiny as investigators reviewed statements, cell‑phone data, and physical evidence.

911 call vs. phone data: Prosecutors presented cellphone GPS and call logs showing that Alex’s account of being away from the scene didn’t align with data linking him to the area prior to the murders.
Video evidence: Prosecutors introduced video from Paul’s phone recorded minutes before his death containing audio of Alex’s voice.
No defensive wounds: Bodies showed no defensive wounds, suggesting the victims were unaware of an imminent attacker.

The combination of digital evidence and forensic timeline reconstruction formed the backbone of the prosecution’s case.

📆 July 2022: Murder Charges Filed

After more than a year of investigation, a state grand jury indicted Alex Murdaugh on two counts of murder and two counts of possession of a weapon during a violent crime in connection with the June 7 murders.

Simultaneously, further investigations into Alex’s handling of client funds uncovered more than $12 million in alleged fraud and embezzlement, tied to schemes including misappropriating the insurance settlement of longtime housekeeper Gloria Satterfield and diverting client money through fake accounts.

⚖️ January — March 2023: The Trial and Guilty Verdict

The murder trial began on January 25, 2023, in Colleton County (Walterboro, SC).

Over the course of approximately six weeks, prosecutors presented testimony and exhibits attempting to prove Alex acted alone in killing his wife and son. The defense challenged interpretations of evidence and explored alternative theories, but jurors were ultimately persuaded by the state’s narrative.

On March 2, 2023, after less than three hours of deliberation, the jury found Alex Murdaugh guilty on all counts — two counts of murder and two counts of possession of a weapon during a violent crime. He was sentenced to consecutive life terms without parole.

💰 Financial Crimes & Other Legal Trouble

Parallel to the murder case, Alex faced a sprawling series of fraud and financial misconduct charges.

State grand juries indicted him on dozens of charges related to embezzlement, wire fraud, bank fraud, and breach of trust involving millions from his law partners, clients, and families tied to cases handled by his firm.

In separate proceedings, Murdaugh pleaded guilty to many of these non‑murder charges and received additional prison sentences totaling decades for those crimes.

📺 Media Coverage and Public Interest

The Murdaugh saga has fueled extensive media coverage and dramatization. Netflix’s documentary series Murdaugh Murders: A Southern Scandal and Hulu’s scripted Murdaugh: Death in the Family cover different facets of the story and have brought further national attention.

Time magazine and ABC News have also published comprehensive analyses of the case’s background and central events.

🧬 Aftermath and Ongoing Legal Matters

Although convicted, Alex Murdaugh’s defense has pursued appeals and legal challenges. As of early 2025, the South Carolina Supreme Court has granted extensions for the state to respond to his appellate filings, underscoring that the legal process continues.

Buster Murdaugh, Alex and Maggie’s surviving son, has also been involved in legal matters related to the broader saga, including civil aspects of the Mallory Beach lawsuit.