SOUTH CAROLINA LOWCOUNTRY, JUNE 14 —It has been seven dayssince the night of Monday, June 7, when Margaret "Maggie" Murdaugh, 52, and her son, Paul Murdaugh, 22, were found dead with multiple gunshot wounds outsidetheir Colleton County, S.C.,home in a high-profile, double homicide that has sincemade national news in the pages of such publications asNewsweek and theNew York Post.
The S.C. Law Enforcement Division and the Colleton County Sheriff's Office areinvestigating. As of 5 p.m.Monday, June 14, no arrests have been reportedand few concrete details released by SLED, which is the lead agency in this investigation.
The victims are members of a prominent Hampton County family known for itslegal connections across the Lowcountry and state. Up until theselection of current 14th Circuit Solicitor Duffie Stone in 2006, a member of the Murdaugh family hadbeen solicitor of the five-county 14th Judicial Circuit in lower South Carolina for 86 consecutive years;and Randolph MurdaughSr.founded the personal injury law firm now known asPeters, Murdaugh, Parker, Eltzroth & Detrick, P.A.. in Hampton in 1910.The firm has since become a legal giant in its own right.
With littleofficial information forthcoming on the slayings, and with a wide variety of questions surroundingthese murders, speculations are swirling and rumors are rampant throughout the state.
Funerals:Murdaughs laid to rest in quiet town shocked by recent deaths
Background:Murdaughs killed in double homicide in Colleton County
While police have not released any official information about possible suspects or persons of interest, Colleton County officialsstated in a June 8 release, "At this time, there is no danger to the public."
Multiple South Carolina media outlets are quoting multiple, anonymous "legal sources close to the investigation" to report details of the case, from who found the bodies to what types of weapons were used, but none of these details have been confirmedby SLED or the Collecton County's sheriff or coroner's offices.
Media sleuths are also publicly speculating on the motive and target of the killings, which has also not been discussed by SLED spokespersons.
This case isunder intense media and public scrutiny largely because one of the victims, Paul Murdaugh, was facing three felony charges, including boating under the influence resulting in death,in connection with a February 2019 boat crash in Beaufort Countythat proved fatal for 19-year-old Mallory Beach, of Hampton County, and injured several others.
Murdaughpleaded not guilty to all three felonies in a case that is now dismissed because of his death. A wrongful death civil suit, filed by a member of the Beach family against members of the Murdaugh family, and other parties,remains pending.
Law enforcement officials and prosecutors came under fire from South Carolina media for their handling of that 2019 case: Paul Murdaugh was never given an alcohol breathalyzer test following the crash, according to the S.C. Department of Natural Resources,was nothandcuffed following his direct indictment and never spent a moment in jail. His booking photograph was taken in the courthouse hallway in his own clothing.He was out on a personal recognizance bond of $50,000 at the time of his death.
Public opinions aboutPaul Murdaugh and his prominent family have beenstrong following the fatal boat crash. Beach went into the frigid water upon impact of thecrash and her body was not found until several days later, prompting public concern and outrage as officials and volunteers searched day and night to recover her body.
Statewide media editorials, and members of the public on social media, havealleged special treatment of the Murdaughs in the boat crashcase because of their legal connections, and have also alleged shoddy police work.
SLED has also come under fire over the past several days from media around the state, and has been the target of multiple editorials this week, for declining to release details in this homicide investigation or respond with requested information following S.C. Freedom of Information requests. SLED has not yet released details from the initial incident reports or the 911 Dispatch tapes requested by multiple media outlets, citing the ongoing investigation.
Also read:Former 14th Circuit Solicitor Randolph Murdaugh III dies at home
On Thursday, in response to request for informationfrom The Guardian and other media, SLED spokesperson Tommy Crosby issued the following statement.
"SLED understands the media’s interest and the public’s desire for answers to what has happened in their community. We know that everyone has questions and rumors are abundant, speculating what happened in the shooting deaths of Maggie and Paul Murdaugh. It is important for the community to know that SLED is committed to conducting a complete, thorough, and independent investigation to ensure justice is served. As we do in every investigation, our agents will pursue every lead and utilize all available resources in investigating this case. We cannot and will not do anything that could jeopardize the integrity of this investigation and thus feel it is inappropriate to comment on specifics while this investigation is ongoing. If you or someone you know has information regarding this incident, please call the Colleton Sheriff’s Office at 843-549-2211 or Crime Stoppers at 888-CRIMESC."
Autopsies on both of the shooting victims were performed on Thursday, June 10, but those reports have not been released.
Early on in the case, SLED and the Colleton County Sheriff's Office labeled the incident as a "double homicide" and stated thatthe shootings were believed to have happened around 10 p.m. on June 7, at 4147 Moselle Road in Colleton County, following a 911 call stating that two people had beenfound dead. Theaddress to this property, which includes an extensive amount of land, is a former Murdaugh family hunting lodge that isregistered to Alex Murdaugh, according to an online telephone directory.
Colleton County Coroner Richard Harvey identified the deceased on Tuesday, June 8, adding that both bodies were found outside the residence, near a dog kennel, with multiple gunshot wounds.
Paul Murdaugh was the youngest son of Alex and Margaret Murdaugh, and the grandson of Randolph Murdaugh III, a former 14th Circuit Solicitor. Alex Murdaugh is an attorney with PMPED and has worked part time with the 14th Circuit Solicitor's Office with his father.
Murdaugh III died at his home in Hampton County on Thursday, June 10, of natural causes following extended health problems, stated the Hampton County Coroner's Office.
All three Murdaughs were buried in the Hampton Cemetery surrounded by hundreds of mourners last week.