HAMPTON, SC – The prominent South Carolina attorney, who was shot dead on her family’s hunting estate months after his wife and son died, allegedly conspired to have him killed by another man in order for his other son to get his life insurance policy can pay out $ 10 million. State Police says.
The announcement of charges against another South Carolina man on Monday marks the latest twist in the saga of Alex Murdaugh, the Hampton attorney who is involved in multiple state investigations and whose family members had served in the local prosecutor’s office for generations.
Murdaugh was listed as a co-defendant when the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division announced indictment against Curtis Edward Smith, 61, of Completely Aggravated for aiding and abetting suicide, assault and assault, showing and presenting a firearm, insurance fraud and insurance fraud conspiracy.
What we know:Murders, money, and mystery swirl around the prominent South Carolina Murdaugh family
Murdaugh was shot in the head on September 4th. The news came days before he checked into rehab and his law firm Peters, Murdaugh, Parker, Eltzroth & Detrick (PMPED) accused him of misappropriating funds. State police said Monday that they are investigating the missing money.
Murdaugh has since admitted giving Smith a gun and telling him to kill Murdaugh in order to have his life insurance policy paid out, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division said in affidavits released Monday.
Smith followed Murdaugh to a rural country road, where he shot Murdaugh, police said in an affidavit. Smith drove away and got rid of the gun while Murdaugh survived the shooting, the affidavit reads.
Murdaugh called 911 after being shot in the head and was taken to an area hospital with superficial injuries, state and local police said earlier.
State police said in the affidavit that Murdaugh had admitted to the program on Monday and that his life insurance, worth around $ 10 million, would go to his surviving son. On Tuesday, Smith also admitted under oath that he was present and disposed of the firearm.
Smith was also charged with methamphetamine distribution and possession
Marijuana. It wasn’t immediately clear whether the Walterboro man had a lawyer.
A Murdaugh spokesman previously said Murdaugh stopped after a tire light came on in his car and he was shot dead by a man who stopped to ask if he had any problems with the car.
Another statement issued on behalf of Murdaugh as he entered rehab read: “The murders of my wife and son caused an incredibly difficult time in my life. I’ve made many decisions that I truly regret out of my law firm and into rehab after a long struggle made worse by these murders. I feel immensely sorry for everyone I have hurt including my family, friends, and co-workers. I ask for prayer as I rehabilitate myself and my relationships. “
Alex Murdaugh’s wife Maggie, 52, and their 22-year-old son Paul were shot multiple times and found dead on June 7th on the family’s hunting estate in Colleton County. Alex Murdaugh called 911 and reported her death, which is still under investigation by state police.
Alex Murdaugh and his surviving son Buster had offered a $ 100,000 reward for information leading to an arrest or arrest and conviction.
At the time, Paul Murdaugh was charged with a fatal boat crash in 2019. Mallory Beach, 19, from Hampton County, was killed in the crash near Parris Island and several others were injured. Paul Murdaugh faced three charges related to drinking under the influence of boating.
The case remains open, and Beach’s family has also filed a civil suit and other legal action against the Murdaugh family.
The deaths of Paul and Maggie Murdaugh also prompted the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division to open a homicide investigation into the unexplained death of Stephen Smith, 19, Paul and Maggie Murdaugh. “
Smith died in a traffic accident on a rural road in Hampton County in 2015. However, his mother Sandy told the Hampton County Guardian, part of the USA TODAY Network, in 2015 that she believed her son’s death was the result of a foul and possible hate crime because her son was gay.
The cascading series of events has shed light on the well-known Murdaugh family.
Alex Murdaugh’s great-grandfather, grandfather, and father served as elected prosecutors in the area non-stop for 85 years. Alex Murdaugh also volunteered for the prosecutor’s office and supported his father, who remained a paid contract employee after a new attorney took office.
Before:South Carolina Police are now investigating allegations that Alex Murdaugh took money from the law firm
If you or someone you know may be struggling with thoughts of suicide, call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) or chat online day or night.
Crisis Text Line also offers people in distress free, confidential support by SMS around the clock by calling 741741.
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