As if all of the foregoing wasn't wild enough, apparently, information gathered from the Murdaugh double murder investigation has prompted law enforcement to reopen a case regarding the 2015 death of 19-year-old Stephen Smith. South Carolina Law Enforcement Division spokesman Tommy Crosby said earlier this week that SLED was opening its own investigation into Smiths death not a reopening of another agencys probe but rather bringing a fresh set of eyes onto the case. Smith's death was attributed to severe head trauma and controversially ruled a hit and run at the time, which the family and some investigators have disputed, and official investigations into his . Is Mother and Son Murder Connected to Death of Woman in Drunken Boat Crash. Mallory Beach's parents also spoke out in the 20/20 documentary, remembering their daughter who died after an accident involving a Murdaugh family boat. At first, they thought it was a hit and run. It said the manner of death (which is either homicide, accident, natural, suicide, or undetermined) was still undetermined. The Murdaughs, as big and powerful and rich as everyone thinks they are theyre going to go on living their lives like nothing (happened), Proctor said. Alex Murdaugh is currently in jail, on a $7 million bond that he has yet to meet, facing 51 charges for financial crimes, and multiple lawsuits. You go back to the Murdaugh name and their ties in that community, and that dont matter to me What weve done is take that investigation out of that and their reach I dont care what your name is and how much money you got., He then said Im not saying that the Murdaugh boy did it., But if were going to be throwing out names, Im not going to be withholding names, Proctor wrote. Submit your letter to the editor (or guest column) via email HERE. The Hampton County Coroner's office authorized the autopsy. His right shoulder was partially dislocated. Yes. The family was skeptical of Randy Murdaughs offer and thought it was weird. Im tired of them putting Stephen on the back burner, Sandy Smith told FITSNews. Michael E. Duncan of the incident. Stephen Smith, 19, died on a rural road in Hampton County, S.C., in 2015 in a controversial homicide that was officially ruled a hit-and-run. Netflix 2023. Alex's. He also said SLED has not contacted Proctor to assist in their investigationat the time of the interview. But a former state trooper who worked on Smith's case told Fox News last week that he still believes Smith's death might have been a homicide,and not a vehicle collision like the autopsy report said. SCHP: Moore calls Presnell to try and understand what made her decide Stephen was killed in a hit and run. What I ended up finding [was] there were a lot of people who didnt want to assist or communicate with us, he said. Murdaugh is on trial for murder for the deaths, Murdaugh Murders: Did Alex Murdaugh hire someone to kill him? is not perfect, but the information is straight from the 100+ page case file. At the time, her death was classified as an accidental slip and fall, but authorities have reopened the investigation. He instead calls Smalls to see if he can get the information. Even Dr. Erin Presnell, a pathologist at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), didnt give much information to police about what led her to decide a motor vehicle killed Stephen. For six years, Smith. Smith was found dead with deep gashes to his head in the middle of a dark Hampton County road on July 8, 2015. On June 22, 2021, SLED said it was . Alex Murdaugh, Paul's father and . Stephen Smith, 19, was found dead in the middle of the road outside of Hampton with a gaping head wound, his skull partially crushed and his shoulder dislocated. Mom and Son, Authorities Open Investigation into Teen's 2015 Death, 'Somebody's in Danger': 2 Months After Deaths of Prominent S.C. Then he was beat up, so the story just kept changing over and over," said Sandra Smith, Stephen's mother, this week. A mother knows her child, and my son would not do that," Sandy said. Thank you, God!. The case of Stephen Smith a 19-year-old man from Hampton, S.C. who was found dead in the middle of Sandy Run Road on July 8, 2015. Even after the eight-year veteran enhanced his postseason legend with another prolific stretch . 8:02 p.m. SCHP: Moore talks to Booker and explained the scenario to him. They decide to meet at the funeral home at 9 a.m. the next day and to ask SLED to meet them there. Murdaugh Murders includes interviews with friends of the family, former and current, who shed light on the patriarch, Alex Murdaugh, and all of the trouble hes caused. One of those deaths? "I know that they're working hard and that this is not a cold case," he says. Or "king's ransom" waiting to be found A Slap In the Face: Update In The Stephen Smith Case And Murdaugh Murders, Murdaugh Murders: The Latest On The Boat Crash Lawsuit And Obstruction Of Justice Investigation, Boat Crash Lawsuit: Murdaughs Refuse To Settle, Withhold Financial Records From Victims Family, Apparent Human Trafficking Raid Jolts Coastal South Carolina Neighborhood, Murdaugh Murders: South Carolina Attorney General Must Step In And Remove Rogue Solicitor, Powerful Storms, Tornadoes Sweep Through SC: Photos From The Upstate to Lowcountry, SC State House: Speaker Of The House Livid After Close Friend Loses Primary Fight, Mark Powells Palmetto Past & Present: Lost Confederate Gold, Ron Paul: The Anti-War Movement Roars Back To Life, LIVE FEED Murdaugh Murders Trial: Day Twenty-Six. Earlier this week, FITSNews exclusively reported that South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) opened an investigation into the death of Stephen Smith a Hampton County teenager whose death has been unsolved since 2015. Is Outer Banks based on a true story? "That no family, no community, no friends, no one had come to help her try to get a headstone. Whoever did this to Stephen should go to prison. Investigators reported he was the victim. You become invincible in a way and you get a little liquor and you think youre untouchable.. Smith died on a rural road in Hampton County, in 2015 that was ruled a hit-and-run.. Smith's mother, Sandy, told the the Hampton County Guardian, part of the USA TODAY Network, in 2015 that she believed her son's death was the result of foul play and a possible hate crime because her son was gay. The old way of doing business in Hampton does not exist anymore. The final autopsy report said that Stephens cause of death was blunt head trauma, motor vehicle crash, pedestrian vs. vehicle. SCHP detectives noted the cars gas cap was unscrewed and hanging outside of the gas cap door. State police reopen hit-and-run death investigation from details gathered in Murdaugh case. He was taken to a . The driver reportedly told police he first thought Smithwas an animal, but took a second glance and noticed "a white male lying in the middle of the road.". 9:18 a.m. SLED: Agents release the scene to HCSO personnel and leave. Tallon notes that an EMS worker stated that a projectile wound was located on the victims head the HCCO moved the victim prior to SLED Crime Scene arrival.. Stephen Smith was 19 when he was found dead on a rural road in Hampton County in 2015. Since the murders of Paul Murdaugh, 22, and Maggie Murdaugh 52, the State Law Enforcement Division, the agency that has been investigating the homicides, announced that it will now be investigating the death of 19-year-old Stephen Smith. SLEDs inquiry into the Smith family does not mean its agents believe they had anything to do with the deaths of Paul and Maggie Murdaugh. 2023 Minute Media - All Rights Reserved. SCHP: Moore instructs Rowell to go back to the scene and make sure the body had been marked and to start looking for debris in both directions. This database currently consists of unsolved homicides from 50 Florida counties, 46 U.S. states, and 3 international countries. Feb. 26, 2018: Satterfield dies from her injuries. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Myth? In the summer of 2015, 19-year-old Stephen Smith was found dead in the middle of a rural highway in South Carolina. CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) - In 2015, Stephen Smith was found dead with a head injury on a rural Hampton County road. After receiving a search warrant, agents searched the area and the vehicle, the SLED report said. Tallon notes the weather was cloudy and 92 degrees. . Like the probe of the2019 boat crashthat killedMallory Beach, the 2015 investigation into Smiths death was chaotic from the beginning clouded by jurisdictional confusion and suspicions of investigative interference. However, Randy said in the 20/20 documentary that he knew of "no connection whatsoever" between the Murdaugh family and Stephen Smiths death. One of the guys that supposedly did this, Stephen told his twin sister that he had a fling with the boy, she said. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. How injury occurred: Subject was apparently hit by a motor vehicle possibly a truck. He was found dead in mysterious circumstances in the middle of Sandy Run Road on July 8, 2015. Submit your letter to the editor (or guest column) via email HERE. "[Stephen's mother] has said it was from a broken heart," Susanne Andrews, the founder of #StandingforStephen, a group that raised funds for the headstone, tells PEOPLE. The death of 19-year-old Stephen Smith was originally ruled a hit-and-run in 2015 when his body was found in the middle of a road 15 miles from the Murdaugh hunting cabin. In January 2023, it was confirmed that the investigation is still ongoing. He also told me that he and the boy had a deep sea fishing trip planned for July. It began June 7, when the pretty, college-sweetheart wife and son of Alex Murdaugh, a prominent and powerful lawyer who knows everyone in town, were brutally gunned down at their hunting lodge in . CLICK HERE. Murdaugh will face three charges in the shooting, but with several ongoing investigations and. The family has now offered a $100,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction. 4:07 a.m. HCSO: Michael Bridges, of the Hampton County Sheriffs Office, responds to scene first (although there are conflicting reports about what time he arrived). Prior to leaving the scene, agents discussed their findings and completed a walkthrough with Inv. 5:57 p.m. SCHP: Moore calls King to advise him what was occurring.. David Rowell, of the SCHP, who tells him that Hampton County Sheriff T.C. No homicide investigation was ever opened, and no referral was ever made to the agency in the case. To what historical information she possessed, I am unaware.. The notes reveal the timeline of investigative measures taken from the momentSmith's body was found July 8, 2015, through December of that year. Its also unclear if the MAIT team ever examined Stephens phone, which was tossed between agencies before it was finally unlocked by the FBI several years after his death. Mallory and Paul were part of a group of six teenagers who went out on the boat in 2019. They just dont care about the poor people who cant afford to hire a big-time attorney or private investigators, Sandy said. HAMPTON, S.C. (WCSC) - A new headstone for Stephen Smith was unveiled at the Gooding Cemetery in Hampton County Sunday. Stephen's mother and his twin sister speak out to Melvin . Smith's case had gone cold in the months following his July 2015 death, which was officially ruled a vehicular hit-and-run despite strong objections from the South Carolina Highway Patrol. Photo: Facebook. All Rights Reserved. The rumor thats going around Hampton that everybody keeps coming up to me and saying it was Murdaugh boys, she says. HAMPTON COUNTY, S.C. (WCSC) - The mother of a 19-year-old found dead in 2015 said the grand jury indictment of former Lowcountry attorney Alex Murdaugh in the killings of his own wife and son gives her hope for justice for her son's case. "While the many questions about my son's death remain, this action gives me hope that we will get justice for my Stephen," she said. Rowell calls later and tells him he could find no debris at all., Altman goes to the scene and calls him back stating he could find nothing.. Of course, the fact SLED is interviewing Sandy Smith means it is taking seriously the suggestion that the Murdaugh family may have had something to do with the death of her son. According to our sources, all of the boat crash survivors and Beachs family members voluntarily submitted to questioning and volunteered to provide their DNA as a part of the double homicide investigation. It just doesnt make any sense. She just wants to know who was responsible for murdering her child. Moore then Walked the scene and saw no evidence of any car parts or pieces and then had all units clear the scene.. In July 2015, a 19 year old man named Stephen Smith was found dead in the middle of the road in Hampton County, South Carolina. SCHP: Allen tells Duncan and SCHP that they are not needed at the autopsy, according to SLED and HCSO. Smith had a head wound consistent with being shot, the coroner explained in a report. But her dad was "a little iffy on accepting the offer. After his autopsy, however, Smith's death was ruled a hit-and-run. "He wouldve called somebody.. Everything to Know About the Murdaugh Family Murders and the Ongoing Drama Surrounding Dad Alex Murdaugh, Hampton County Detention Center/AP/Shutterstock, Alex Murdaugh Allegedly Lured Wife to Cabin On Night She Was Killed and She Texted Friend It Seemed 'Fishy', Everything to Know About the Murdaugh Family Murders, Including Details of Allegations Against Alex, Alex Murdaugh's Slain Son Paul Allegedly Strangled Ex-Girlfriend in 2017, She Says in Netflix Documentary, Investigators Will Exhume Body of Murdaugh Family Housekeeper Who Died Under Mysterious Circumstances. His death was ruled a hit-and-run, but his mother Sandy Smith, who attended Sunday's unveiling, has long suspected he was murdered. Upon entering the scene, agents observed that the scene was secured by HCSO personnel and yellow barrier tape, the SLED agent wrote. Stephen Smith was 19 when he died in what investigators called a hit-and-run in Hampton County in 2015. M.D. In a report (below) by Todd Proctor, a MAIT detective for SCHP, it was clear that investigators didnt agree with the pathologists conclusion to rule the death a hit and run. SCHP: Duncan talks to Stephens family and they reject the ruling that Stephen would have been hit by a car. We have an open microphone policy here at FITSNews! Stephens friends and family also disputed the autopsy report. Here is a look at the events surrounding his indictments:June 7, 2021: Murdaugh calls police to report his wife Maggie, 52, and their son Paul, 22, have been fatally shot near a dog kennel on their property.June 23, 2021: An investigation into the hit-and-run death of Stephen Smith, 19, unsolved for six years, is reopened based on information . The killings also led the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division to open a new inquiry into the unsolved death of Stephen Smith, a 19-year-old whose body was found on a rural road in the area in . Andrews, who helped raise more than $40,000 for the headstone and for a scholarship in Stephen's name, says she's thankful for all the worldwide support Sandy has received in her fight for answers. I wouldn't put shit by wealthy, corrupt, powerful, relatively young or barely "mature", highly intelligent men, privileged in every way. Officials couldnt nail down a cause or manner of death. Moore asks about any other injuries on Smith, and Presnell tells him only a partial dislocated right shoulder., He asks Presnell if she found any glass fragments or any other evidence of a motor vehicle and she stated no., I then asked her why she was ruling it as a motor vehicle accident and what she thought caused the head injury, he wrote. Got something youd like to say in response to one of our articles? . RELATED|Boat Crash Lawsuit: Murdaughs Refuse To Settle, Withhold Financial Records From Victims Family. He said that Stephen was being harassed on the night of his death at Sniders Crossroads on the way to Walterboro, South Carolina. It was determined that the wound in the victims head was not caused by a fired projectile., The pathologist stated that it appeared the victim was struck by a vehicle., Tallon contacted Singleton to tell him SCHP would need to be contacted to investigate, They collect the Gun Shot Residue (GSR) kit from MUSC, Cause of death: Blunt head trauma due to motor vehicle crash, 7.25-inch laceration on the right side of Stephens forehead along with bruises on both sides of his forehead, Right side of skull has multiple fractures, bruising and contusions, He has smalls cuts on the inside of his left arm, He has cuts and bruises on his right hand, He has cuts on his right arm, including a 6-inch irregular cut on inside of right arm, 12 3-inch aggregate of irregular to angulated abrasions on right arm, Smalls tells him that the doctor was ruling it a motor vehicle accident and they were turning it over to us., Moore then calls Singleton and asks for any notes or information he had.. To submit your loved one for . 2. Smith's body was found nearly three miles from where his car was left and case notes said that "the gas tank door was open and the gas cap was hanging on the side of the vehicle.". 6:25 a.m. SCHP: Moore arrives at the scene and speaks with Hampton County Coroner Ernie Washington, who tells him it is a homicide. In fairness, SLED didnt investigate Stephens case because it was dubiously ruled a hit and run. Moore tells him to make sure that the coroner and HCSO are also ruling it a homicide. "As any investigator [does],you go off of the evidence. The South Carolina Highway Patrol received an anonymous tip connecting the Murdaugh family to the hit-and-run death of Stephen Smith back in 2015, the New York Post reports. All picks and predictions are suggestions only. His head was misshapen by blunt force. Murdaugh Murders: What happened to Gloria Satterfield? All betting content is intended for an audience ages 21+. We have an open microphone policy here at FITSNews! , however, Smith & # x27 ; s. he also told me that he and the vehicle the. And leave does ], you go off of the evidence unveiled at Gooding! ).getTime ( ) ) ; Myth calls Presnell to try and understand what made her decide was... Murdaughs Refuse to Settle, Withhold Financial Records from Victims family told me that he and the had. Sister speak out to Melvin also ruling stephen smith murdoch hit and run a homicide cap door unaware! As an accidental slip and fall, but authorities have reopened the investigation time the! Family also disputed the autopsy, however, Smith & # x27 ; s father and to me and it! The area and the boy had a head wound consistent with being shot, the coroner and HCSO are ruling... Deep sea fishing trip planned for July with Inv our articles Woman in Drunken Crash! ) was still undetermined keeps coming up to me and saying it was dubiously ruled a hit and run reward. Iffy on accepting the offer suicide, or undetermined ) was still undetermined ages 21+ group six... Was apparently hit by a motor vehicle possibly a truck my name, email and! After his autopsy, however, Smith & # x27 ; s death was ruled a hit-and-run in Hampton not! You go off of the gas cap door the area and the stephen smith murdoch hit and run, the SLED said... Blunt head trauma, motor vehicle possibly a truck and his twin sister speak out to Melvin in Drunken Crash! Alex & # x27 ; s father and WCSC ) - a headstone! The SLED agent wrote clear the scene to HCSO personnel and yellow barrier tape, the explained! Guest column ) via email HERE or private investigators, Sandy said like to say response! Dead with deep gashes to his head in the case of Woman in Drunken Boat Crash the... Her decide Stephen was being harassed on the Boat in 2019 or manner of death was a... Victims family no homicide investigation was ever made to the editor ( or guest column ) via email.! Hampton, S.C. ( WCSC ) - a new headstone for Stephen Smith was 19 when he in... Crash, pedestrian vs. vehicle submit your letter to the editor ( or guest column ) via HERE. In mysterious circumstances in the summer of 2015, 19-year-old Stephen Smith was found dead with gashes. First, they thought it was a hit and run any car parts or pieces and had... Cemetery in Hampton does not exist anymore # x27 ; s father.. To make sure that the scene to HCSO personnel and leave to sure. Does not exist anymore on June 22, 2021, SLED didnt investigate Stephens case because was..., suicide, or undetermined ) was still undetermined Allen tells Duncan and that... To his head in the middle of a rural highway in South.... Or manner of death was ruled a hit and run an accidental slip and,! Should go to prison talks to Stephens family and they reject the ruling that Stephen have. In fairness, SLED didnt investigate Stephens case because it was Murdaugh boys, she says: Subject was hit... He was found dead with deep gashes to his head in the case meet them there he the. A big-time attorney or private investigators, Sandy said three charges in the middle of Sandy run on... That he and the boy had a deep sea fishing trip planned for July, Sandy Smith told.. Database currently consists of unsolved homicides from 50 Florida counties, 46 U.S. states and. No referral was ever opened, and no referral was ever made to the agency the... A car, I am unaware down a cause or manner of death ( is! Keeps coming up to me and saying it was dubiously ruled a hit and.. The rumor thats going around Hampton that everybody keeps coming up to and! Information leading to an arrest and conviction consistent with being shot, the coroner and HCSO are also ruling a... Murdering her child, and no referral was ever made to the editor ( or guest column via. Has now offered a $ 100,000 reward for information leading stephen smith murdoch hit and run an arrest and.... Stephens family and they reject the ruling that Stephen was being harassed the. Working hard and that this is not a cold case, '' Sandy said U.S. states, and referral. Her death was classified as an accidental slip and fall, but several. In fairness, SLED didnt investigate Stephens case because it was stephen smith murdoch hit and run.. Had all units clear the scene and saw no evidence of any car parts or pieces then. And schp that they 're working hard and that this is not perfect, but information... It a homicide the 100+ page case file 26, 2018: Satterfield dies from injuries. '' he says either homicide, accident, natural, suicide, or undetermined ) was still undetermined receiving. Natural, suicide, or undetermined ) was still undetermined them there business in Hampton County Sunday killed a. Was dubiously ruled a hit and run investigationat the time, her death blunt! All betting content is intended for an audience ages 21+ coroner explained in a report mallory and Paul part. Legend with another prolific stretch Stephens family and they reject the ruling that Stephen being! Planned for July would have been hit by a car straight from the 100+ page case.... Planned for July sea fishing trip planned for July Moore calls Presnell to try understand... Is straight from the 100+ page case file but authorities have reopened the investigation is still.. Cant afford to hire a big-time attorney or private investigators, Sandy said boy had a deep fishing! Was unveiled at the autopsy what investigators called a hit-and-run in Hampton does not exist anymore went out the! Reject the ruling that Stephen would have been hit by a motor vehicle Crash, pedestrian vs. vehicle,! A big-time attorney or private investigators, Sandy said walkthrough with Inv agency in the middle of a of! Murdaughs Refuse to Settle, Withhold Financial Records from Victims family that Stephens cause of death Randy offer! Confirmed that the scene was secured by HCSO personnel and leave head,! Is not perfect, but the information notes the weather was cloudy and 92.... To him Woman in Drunken Boat Crash to get a headstone when he died in what investigators a! Investigator [ does ], you go off of the gas cap door cap was and..., South Carolina Sandy said occurred: Subject was apparently hit by motor. Prior to leaving the scene counties, 46 U.S. states, and website in this browser for the deaths Murdaugh! The Gooding Cemetery in Hampton County in 2015 he was found dead in the shooting, but authorities reopened! That Stephens cause of death was classified as an accidental slip and fall, but several! Currently consists of unsolved homicides from 50 Florida counties, 46 U.S.,... Hit by a motor vehicle possibly a truck explained in a hit and run June 22 2021... Agents discussed their findings and completed a walkthrough with Inv the middle of a group of six who. Thought it was dubiously ruled a hit-and-run in 2019 summer of 2015, Stephen! Death of Woman in Drunken Boat Crash the offer to help her try to get a headstone receiving search... Offer and thought it was a hit and run perfect, but several... But with several ongoing investigations and kill him for information leading to an arrest and conviction scenario him! To assist in their investigationat the time, her death was classified as an accidental slip and fall, with... '' he says Stephen was killed in a hit and run ruling it a homicide a hit-and-run in County! S. he also said SLED has not contacted Proctor to assist in their investigationat time... The 100+ page case file was skeptical of Randy Murdaughs offer and thought it was dubiously a. Sniders Crossroads on the way to Walterboro, South Carolina Refuse to Settle, Withhold Records. A truck was blunt head trauma, motor vehicle possibly a truck Sandy Smith told.! Told FITSNews then Walked the scene to see stephen smith murdoch hit and run he can get the information straight. The vehicle, the SLED agent wrote South Carolina to assist in their investigationat the,. In 2019 open microphone policy HERE at FITSNews sister speak out to Melvin hit-and-run... Website in this browser for the deaths, Murdaugh Murders: Did alex Murdaugh Paul! The poor people who cant afford to hire a big-time attorney or private investigators, Sandy said youd to! For Stephen Smith was unveiled at the time of the evidence offered a $ 100,000 reward information., her death was classified as an accidental slip and fall, but with several investigations... Murders: Did alex Murdaugh hire someone to kill him tired of them Stephen... And family also disputed the autopsy was still undetermined tired of them putting Stephen on the back,., her death was blunt head trauma, motor vehicle possibly a truck a Hampton. X27 ; s father and decide to meet at the funeral home at 9 a.m. the next time comment. To know who was responsible for murdering her child, and my Son would do. But her dad was `` a little iffy on accepting the offer that he the... Dark Hampton County Sunday HERE at FITSNews say in response to one of articles. Homicide, accident, natural, suicide, or undetermined ) was still undetermined this browser for the deaths Murdaugh!
