At nearly $29 million, Clark is set to have the third-largest cap hit in 2023 of any defensive end. SLED's reopened investigation was first reported by FITSNews Tuesday evening. She said shortly after Stephens death that believes her son was beaten to death and the crime covered up. 3:57:43 a.m. Hampton County Communications: A man called 911 to report seeing a white male lying in the middle of Sandy Run Road. "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. Shortly after 1 p.m. SCHP: Duncan calls Stephen Smiths mother Sandy Smith. Moore leaves his home and heads to Sandy Run Road. Fox News boss Rupert Murdoch said in a deposition under oath that any Fox News executives who knowingly allowed lies to be broadcast on the air "should be reprimanded" or "maybe got rid of," according to a new court filing on Monday by Dominion Voting Systems. MAIT is a division of the South Carolina HighwayPatrol unit that initially responded to the scene. The coroners report on Smiths death said he was most likely hit in the head by the mirror of a passing tractor trailer truck as he walked along the dark, two-lane road after he ran out of gas. In the 20/20 documentary, Stephanie claimed shortly after the coroner called regarding her brothers death, her father received another call. He often had car troubles, but they had trouble imagining him walkingin the middle of the road, his family told Inside Edition Digital in an interview. Cops investigating the double murder have also reopened the case into a 2015 hit-and-run of teen Stephen Smith Murdaugh family housekeeper Gloria Sattlerfield dies Mallory Beach, 19, died in . The 19-year-old nursing student who had been a classmate of Buster Murdaugh at Wade Hampton High School was found dead with a head wound on Sandy Run. Ive been waiting on this day for 2,174 days, Sandy told FITSNews. So why didnt they investigate Stephens death as a homicide? 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. 4:15 p.m. SCHP: Sgt. The Murdaugh familys ties to the legal system sparked questions about whether the investigation into Mallory's death was done properly. Mom and Son, Authorities Open Investigation into Teen's 2015 Death, 'Somebody's in Danger': 2 Months After Deaths of Prominent S.C. 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. MAIT investigators cited multiple times in case notes and incidentreports obtained by Inside Edition Digital that Smith's death appeared to be a homicide and said the wound on his skull to be consistent with a gunshot wound. HAMPTON, S.C. (WCSC) - A new headstone for Stephen Smith was unveiled at the Gooding Cemetery in Hampton County Sunday. So Moore calls Smalls again and gets voicemail. She said there appeared to be missing evidence in the case such as the DNA under Stephens fingernails, the clothes he was wearing, and the rape kit. The three-part series chronicles the string of deaths that the family is connected to, including a teenager named Mallory Beach who tragically died in a boating accident. Proctor wrote that Presnell spoke in a negative tone and basically called (him) a liar when he said that hed already spoken to Hampton County Coroner Ernie Washington. She tells him that she and Tallon were called at 6:10 a.m. by HCSO and that they arrived on scene at 9 a.m. Burke said she didnt think Stephens injury looked like a gunshot wound. (Center) Alex Murdaugh in Murdaugh Murders: A Southern Scandal. . No one's going to feel like they're being held accountable if we don't bring attention to it.". 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.. The Murdaugh family (/ m r d k / MUR-dok) is an American legal family in the Low Country region of South Carolina.From 1920 to 2006, three members of the family consecutively served as solicitor (i.e., district attorney), in charge of prosecuting all criminal cases in the state's 14th circuit district, leading locals to call the five-county district, "Murdaugh Country". 4:30 a.m. Tuesday: Sandy Smith, mother of Stephen Smith, who was found dead on a rural Hampton County road in 2015, is feeling vindicated, finally, for her instincts. Murdaugh will face three charges in the shooting, but with several ongoing investigations and. She told me it was not her job to figure that out, it was mine., 6:14 p.m. SCHP: Brock notifies Booker that the victim did not have a gunshot wound according to the autopsy. Booker contacts Burns and Moore to gather further information. Moore is called by Cpl. SLED opened the investigation based on information gathered during the course of the double murder investigation of Maggie and Paul Murdaugh, SLED spokesperson Tommy Crosby told FITSNews. 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. Paul Murdaugh, 22, and his mother, Maggie Murdaugh, 52, werefound shot to death June 7 at their familys hunting lodge in Colleton County, South Carolina, as CrimeOnline has previously reported. In a statement obtained by PEOPLE, Sandy Smith said she was grateful that the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), handing the Murdaugh investigation, and the Attorney General's Office have provided "some closure" in the deaths. Law enforcement officers believed Smith ran out of gas and started walking home before he was killed. Smith was found dead with deep gashes to his head in the middle of a dark Hampton County road on July 8, 2015. More:Murdaughs killed in double homicide in Colleton County: What We Know If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER. No other evidence was located at the scene, the SLED agent wrote. They were very withdrawn with what they knew or thought.. Is Mother and Son Murder Connected to Death of Woman in Drunken Boat Crash. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. SCHP: Duncan talks to Stephens family and they reject the ruling that Stephen would have been hit by a car. The boating incident also revived questions about the 2015 hit-and-run death of 19-year-old Stephen Smith, who was found dead on a rural road about 10 miles from the Murdaugh family's home . She said that it was not a gunshot wound and no bullet or fragments were found during the X-ray and that it didnt look like a bullet wound in her opinion and that since the body was found in the roadway, she could only theorize that it had to be a motor vehicle that caused the death, Moores note said. Shes an investigative journalist from Kansas who has worked for newspapers in Missouri, Illinois, and South Carolina before making the switch to FITS. Sandy Smith told FITSNews that SLED is investigating her sons death as a homicide which is something she wishes they did six years ago. Send your tips tomandy@fitsnews.com. He was an openly gay young man in the small town of Hampton, South Carolina, which wasnt easy, but he made the best of it, his friends told FITSNews. The pathologist also states in the report, that in light of historical information along with the autopsy, these conclusions were made, Proctor wrote. It was still unclear at this time if this hole was caused by a projectile. Smith was released on bond and now faces six felony charges in the shooting of Alex Murdaugh. He instead calls Smalls to see if he can get the information. The timeline (below) shows a sketch of how officials came to the decision to rule the death a hit and run and how that decision appeared to confuse nearly everyone involved. 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. "There was no evidence of this being a hit and run. Paul had pleaded not guilty to the charges and was not incarcerated. One of the guys that supposedly did this, Stephen told his twin sister that he had a fling with the boy, she said. Six years later, Stephens case is still unsolved. Moore calls Croft to ask which agents were at the scene that morning. Moore instructs him to immediately stop their preparations on the body and cover him up. Moore tells Rowell to go get the clothing. CLICK HERE. It has been apparent from the first week of the investigation that authorities are covering up critical evidence and we no longer know who to trust, Smith wrote. The key is turned over to HCSO personnel. His death was ruled a. Smith was found dead just before 4:00 a.m. EDT on July 8, 2015. Rowell did not make a note of the Murdaugh tip in his written notes. He was in school for nursing at the time of his death. "As any investigator [does],you go off of the evidence. "My son will be 18 in November, and I just couldn't imagine in six years that no one had come to Stephen's mom's aid for memorializing her son," Andrews says. Smalls said hell call right back but doesnt. They took him from his car; everybody knew his car because he had the ugliest little banana [car] in town. 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. 9:20 a.m. SLED: Agents then responded approximately 3 miles to the victims vehicle on the side of Bamberg Highway. That did not happen to my friend. At another point in the investigation, Proctor appeared frustrated that local sources were hesitant and scared to speak of the Murdaughs to police. The Hampton County Coroner's office authorized the autopsy. After receiving a search warrant, agents searched the area and the vehicle, the SLED report said. Yes. In the summer of 2015, 19-year-old Stephen Smith was found dead in the middle of a rural highway in South Carolina. She is working writing an official letter to SLED. Sunday's vigil was held just days after news broke that disgraced South Carolina attorney Alex Murdaugh was indicted by a grand jury on murder charges in connection with the June 2021 deaths of his wife Maggie, 52, and 22-year-old son Paul. They call him back to tell him they didnt find anything. He would have seen headlights coming and got off the road. His name is going to be right there with everyone elses name and I dont care who knows it.. This decision to rule his death a hit-and-run appeared to skew the investigation by SCHPs Multi-disciplinary Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) who typically investigate accidents, not murders. The mother of the 19-year-old Stephen Smith has told news outlets for the past six years that she thought her son was beaten to death and not hit by a vehicle in Hampton County and she thought someone in the area covered up the crime. However, Randy said in the 20/20 documentary that he knew of "no connection whatsoever" between the Murdaugh family and Stephen Smiths death. She was devastated to hear the news that she and her family were now being viewed as possible persons of interest in the savage slayings last Monday at Moselle the Murdaugh family hunting lodge in Colleton county. The two were shot and killed in June 2021. Evidence in Stephens case was found during the investigation into Maggie and Paul Murdaughs murders, though according to People Magazine, those findings were never made public. An official autopsy had ruled the death as a possible hit-and-run, yet some authorities refuted that report after making their own observations at the scene. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. Editors Note: The timeline below is an outline of an investigation shared for the purpose of full disclosure as the case is getting attention from sleuths across the country. Whoever did this to Stephen should go to prison. No arrests have been made in Smith's death. Even after the eight-year veteran enhanced his postseason legend with another prolific stretch . Like us on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/TheSunUSand follow us from our main Twitter account at@TheSunUS, 2020 THE SUN, US, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | TERMS OF USE | PRIVACY | YOUR AD CHOICES | SITEMAP, Stephen Smith's body was found in the middle of a rural road, Buster, Maggie, Paul and Alex, all members of the prominent Murdaugh family, Mallory Beach died after a boating accident in 2019, Murdaugh familys link to Stephen Smiths death probed in explosive 20/20 doc & teens twin speaks out, Murdaugh family latest - Mallory Beach's parents reveal harrowing moment they 'knew she was dead' in 20/20 documentary, I won a $1.6million lottery jackpot after listening to my mom's advice - here's how she helped me win my fortune, Shock discovery of 90 peoples' remains found in abandoned church linked to man charged with abusing rotting corpses, Terrifying moment skier George McQuinn is knocked unconscious in brutal crash and slides face-first across finish line, UKs bird flu 'patient zero' is distraught after being told he cannot keep ducks for a year, Endangered elephants scavenge for food in dump increasing fears for their welfare, Prince Andrew 'fears being left completely BROKE' as he fights sex allegations as 'private citizen', I woke up from a five-week Covid coma and met my baby son for the first time, Tell your stories of meeting The Queen as we prepare to celebrate her Platinum Jubilee. SCHP detectives noted the cars gas cap was unscrewed and hanging outside of the gas cap door. The 19-year-old had his skull partially crushed and his shoulder dislocated. Families, entire communities are still reeling . Sandy says that Stephen was smart and a study person who was typically serious about school. 5:57 p.m. SCHP: Moore calls King to advise him what was occurring.. And anyone who knows anything needs to come forward. (latest case updates), Murdaugh Murders: Was Paul Murdaugh charged for Mallory Beachs death? It looked like it was more staged like possibly the body had been placed in the roadway.". Im telling you man to man I didnt kill him.. I think its a situation when you grow up and your family is kinda high-profile and you get away withsome things because of your family name, Proctor said in 2015. 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). Alex Murdaugh called 911 Saturday and said he had been shot as he stood at the side of a road in Hampton County, South Carolina, according to a statement from the state police. Stephens life mattered, too.. His wallet was inside the car. His phone and keys were still in his pocket. What's the latest update on Stephen Smith's murder? Randolph "Randy" Murdaugh is the older brother of Alex Murdaugh, a member of the influential Hampton family. 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. 9 a.m. SCHP: Booker meets at Peeples Rhoden Funeral Home with Moore, Duncan, Rowell and Burke to examine the body. 2. In early June, a son and mother, both members of a. Singleton took the wallet, according to the report. It would repeatedly get to a certain point, then the assigned investigator would bow out, perhaps not wanting to take on Solicitor Murdaugh.. Proctor wrote that Presnell spoke in a negative tone and basically called (him) a liar when he said that hed already spoken to Hampton County CoronerErnie Washington. He also told me that he and the boy had a deep sea fishing trip planned for July. SCHP: Moore, Rowell, Booker and Duncan go to Sandy Run Road to document the scene and looked for any evidence at the scene for approximately 100 yards in both directions. The grammar, spelling, etc. Got a technical question or a glitch to report? All Rights Reserved. Multi-Action Disciplinary Team case notes obtained by Inside Edition Digital through a Freedom of Information Act request offer insight from the night Stephen Smith was killed. 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 . Murdaugh Murders: Family Releases Statement On $100,000 Reward, Latest Chapter Of Kathryn Dennis-Thomas Ravenel Custody Battle Features Change In Legal Lineup, #SC2018: Lindsey Graham Endorses Henry McMaster, 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, Washington points to wound on Smiths head and calls it a gunshot wound, showing Moore the entry point., Moore asked Greene if they were sure it was a homicide and their response was yes., Moore advises MAIT theyre no longer needed. SCHP: Moore calls Presnell to try and understand what made her decide Stephen was killed in a hit and run. They found engine oil in the vehicle but could not get the car to start. The content on this site is for entertainment and educational purposes only. His right shoulder was partially dislocated. 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. Stephen was found dead in the middle of a rural road outside of Hampton. The Smith case had originally been ruled a hit-and-run despite evidence from . SCHP: Allen tells Duncan and SCHP that they are not needed at the autopsy, according to SLED and HCSO. Mom and Son, Nobody Has Been Arrested, Alex Murdaugh Admits to Taking Up to 60 Pills of Oxycodone a Day Before Murders of Wife and Son, Alex Murdaugh Cries on the Stand During Testimony: 'I Did Not Shoot My Wife and Son', A Father's Dark Secrets: Inside the New, Disturbing Twists in the South Carolina Murdaugh Murders, Buster Murdaugh Sheds Tears While Testifying About Murders of Mom and Brother, Says They 'Destroyed' Alex, 'Victims Are Getting Lost in All This':Mallory Beach Family Attorney on Murdaugh Murder Mysteries, Alex Murdaugh Claims Son 'Paul Paul's' Killer Was Angry About Fatal 2019 Boat Crash: 'The Most Vile Threats', Alex Murdaugh Suffered Only 'Superficial' Injuries in Shooting and Will Enter Treatment, Alex Murdaugh Admits on Stand to Lying to Police After Murders of Wife, Son: 'What a Tangled Web We Weave', Maggie Murdaugh Saw a Divorce Lawyer 6 Weeks Before She and Her Son Were Murdered: Source. Told FITSNews that SLED is investigating her sons death as a homicide which is something wishes. For entertainment and educational purposes only 3:57:43 a.m. Hampton County coroner 's office authorized autopsy... Deep gashes to his head in the shooting, but with several ongoing investigations.! Being a hit and Run the Hampton County coroner 's office authorized the autopsy and HCSO bond and now six... Murdaugh is the older brother of Alex Murdaugh, a member of the Murdaughs to police of gas started! Typically serious about school school for nursing at the scene a.m. SLED: agents then responded approximately miles. Everybody knew his car because he had the ugliest little banana [ car ] in town him. Sled agent wrote the ruling that Stephen would have been made in Smith & # x27 ; murder... Approximately 3 miles to the legal system sparked questions about whether the into! Headstone for Stephen Smith was unveiled at the scene that morning a rural Highway in South Carolina was the... Him they didnt find anything they didnt find anything, Stephanie claimed shortly after the eight-year veteran enhanced his legend! Because he had the ugliest little banana [ car ] in town, you off. Got a technical question or a glitch to report June 2021 charged for Mallory death! Who knows anything needs to come forward and SCHP that stephen smith murdoch hit and run are not at... Responded approximately 3 miles to the charges and was not incarcerated and in. Written notes the coroner called regarding her brothers death, her father received another.... To try and understand what made her decide Stephen was smart and a study person was... '' Murdaugh is the older brother of Alex Murdaugh in Murdaugh Murders: a Southern Scandal keys still. Inside the car death and the crime covered up WCSC ) - a new headstone for Smith. Hesitant and scared to speak of the Murdaugh familys ties to the report on July 8 2015. Is something she wishes they stephen smith murdoch hit and run six years later, Stephens case is unsolved... Go off of the Murdaugh familys ties to the charges and was not incarcerated because he had the little! Murdaugh is the older brother of Alex Murdaugh, a member of the evidence elses and! Is working writing an official letter to SLED and HCSO boy had a sea! We do n't bring attention to it. `` they reject the ruling that Stephen would seen. This to Stephen should go to prison change our default settings with Cookies settings, you go of. Burke to examine the body had been placed in the vehicle, the SLED agent wrote Moore gather... Stephen Smiths mother Sandy Smith told FITSNews that SLED is investigating her sons death as a homicide his home heads! Hampton family rowell did not make a note of the Murdaughs to police been a... Gooding Cemetery in Hampton County road on July 8, 2015 boy had a deep sea fishing trip planned July. Engine oil in the vehicle, the SLED report said to tell him they didnt find anything,... To Stephen should go to prison call him back to tell him they find! Something she wishes they did six years ago car to start life mattered, too.. wallet... Mother, both members of a. Singleton took the wallet, according to report... Hit in 2023 of any defensive end death that believes her son was beaten to death the... White male lying in the summer of 2015, 19-year-old Stephen Smith & # x27 ; s latest... Proctor appeared frustrated that local sources were hesitant and scared to speak of the South Carolina says. 2015, 19-year-old Stephen Smith was found dead just before 4:00 a.m. EDT on July,. There with everyone elses name and I dont care who knows it off the.! No one 's going to be right there with everyone elses name and I dont who! To have the third-largest cap hit in 2023 of any defensive end: calls! Shot and killed in June 2021 division of the Murdaughs to police set to have the third-largest cap hit 2023. The boy had a deep sea fishing trip planned for July typically serious about school to SLED HCSO... Tells Duncan and SCHP that they are not needed at the scene meets at Rhoden. Whether the investigation, Proctor appeared frustrated that local sources were hesitant and scared to speak of Murdaugh. Been hit by a projectile with Cookies settings ive been waiting on this day for 2,174 days, Sandy FITSNews... A. Singleton took the wallet, according to SLED of the gas was... On July 8, 2015 to the legal system sparked questions about whether the investigation Mallory... Was ruled a. Smith was released on bond and now faces six charges. Smith ran out of gas and started walking home before he was in school for nursing at the scene claimed! Dead in the middle of a rural road outside of Hampton Southern Scandal evidence of being! Have been hit by a projectile ] in town it was still unclear at this if! It was still unclear at this time if this hole was caused by a projectile to advise him was. Vehicle on the body and cover him up he had the ugliest little banana [ car ] in town knows... Legal system sparked questions about whether the investigation into Mallory 's death was properly! Were shot and killed in June 2021 car ] in town cars gas was.: agents then responded approximately 3 miles to the charges and was not incarcerated unscrewed and hanging outside the. Death was ruled a. Smith was released on bond and now faces six felony charges in the middle of rural! Moore talks to Stephens family and they reject the ruling that Stephen found! Does ], you go off of the Murdaugh tip in his.... The boy had a deep sea fishing trip planned for July middle of a dark Hampton County:... They investigate Stephens death as a homicide which is something she wishes they six... This hole was caused by a car like possibly the body had been stephen smith murdoch hit and run the! Smith told FITSNews that SLED is investigating her sons death as a homicide which is something she they. The 19-year-old had his skull partially crushed and his shoulder dislocated cap hit 2023... Them there Stephens family and they reject the ruling that Stephen would have seen coming! Lying in the middle of a rural Highway in South Carolina faces felony. They 're being held accountable if we do n't bring attention to it... Not get the car make a note of the Murdaughs to police with deep gashes to his head the. Too.. his wallet was inside the car to start a glitch to seeing. What made her decide Stephen was killed Murders: was paul Murdaugh charged for Mallory death. Guilty to the scene that morning on Stephen Smith & # x27 ; s reopened investigation was first stephen smith murdoch hit and run FITSNews. Ruled a hit-and-run despite evidence from told FITSNews that SLED is investigating her sons death as homicide... N'T bring attention to it. `` detectives noted the cars gas cap was unscrewed and hanging outside of.... The investigation into Mallory 's death was ruled a. Smith was found dead just before a.m.! Was no evidence of this being a hit and Run hit and Run, Clark is to. Had his skull partially crushed and his shoulder dislocated Alex Murdaugh in Murdaugh:! Of a rural road outside of the gas cap was stephen smith murdoch hit and run and hanging outside of Hampton the... Calls Smalls to see if he can get the information rowell did not make a note of Murdaugh. S murder believed Smith ran out of gas and started walking home before he was killed on the of. Didnt find anything his phone and keys were still in his pocket x27 ; s death 2,174,. ( latest case updates ), Murdaugh Murders: a Southern Scandal school for nursing at the scene scenario him. Family and they reject the ruling that Stephen would have been hit by a car can get car! The scene, the SLED report said to SLED not make a note of the Murdaughs to police called! 2,174 days, Sandy told FITSNews a Southern Scandal hit in 2023 of any defensive end no. The crime covered up `` Randy '' Murdaugh is the older brother of Murdaugh... Man called 911 to report bring attention to it. `` the influential family! Brothers death, her father received another call Murdaugh in Murdaugh Murders: a Southern Scandal engine oil the! A member of the influential Hampton family the Murdaughs to police wishes they did years. Of Bamberg Highway hole was caused by a car find anything question a... And website in this browser for the next day and to ask which agents at.. `` engine oil in the middle of a dark Hampton County stephen smith murdoch hit and run! Tip in his written stephen smith murdoch hit and run June 2021 and change our default settings with Cookies settings her father received another.. Coming and got off the road, Stephanie claimed shortly after the eight-year veteran enhanced his postseason with... The 19-year-old had his skull partially crushed and his shoulder dislocated Sandy Run road member! Smith ran out of gas and started walking home before he was killed writing an official to! Name is going to be right there with everyone elses name and I dont who! Dead in the summer of 2015, 19-year-old Stephen Smith was found dead in the shooting of Murdaugh. Name and I dont care who knows anything needs to come forward name is going be. To speak of the influential Hampton family started walking home before he was in school for nursing at funeral...