Who was Alex Murdaugh before his downfall?
Once a name spoken with respect and influence across South Carolina’s Lowcountry, Alex Murdaugh belonged to one of the region’s most powerful legal dynasties. The Murdaugh family held the solicitor’s office for the 14th Judicial Circuit for nearly a century, from 1920 until 2006. In that time, they became more than legal professionals, they became the law itself in that part of the state.
Alex followed the family path, becoming a personal injury attorney at the family firm, Peters, Murdaugh, Parker, Eltzroth & Detrick (PMPED). Outwardly, he had it all: wealth, prestige, a loving family, and deep ties to the legal system. He married his college sweetheart, Maggie, in the early 1990s, and they had two sons, Paul and Buster.
However, beneath the glossy exterior of courtroom victories and Southern social standing, a web of deceit was forming—one that would eventually unravel in the most violent and public of ways.
What happened on the night Maggie and Paul were murdered?
On 7 June 2021, Alex Murdaugh placed a distressed call to 911. He claimed to have just returned to the family’s sprawling hunting estate in Colleton County, only to discover the bodies of his wife and younger son near the dog kennels. According to the call, it was a gruesome scene: Maggie and Paul had been “shot badly.”
When authorities arrived, they found Paul shot at close range in the chest and head with a shotgun, while Maggie had suffered multiple gunshot wounds, including one to her back, caused by a semi-automatic rifle. Both victims were pronounced dead at the scene.
Initially, Alex told investigators he hadn’t been near the kennels that evening. But this story quickly fell apart when a Snapchat video taken by Paul at 8:44 p.m., moments before the murders, featured Alex’s voice.
Forensic analysis later confirmed that the murders likely occurred within a short window after that video, placing Alex exactly where he claimed not to be.
The discovery raised more than just suspicions, it exposed a man at the centre of a carefully crafted lie.
Why would Alex Murdaugh kill his own wife and son?
This question became the focal point of a media frenzy and court case that transfixed the nation. Prosecutors argued that the motive behind the murders was not only twisted but strategically calculated.
For over a decade, Alex had been engaging in financial fraud on a staggering scale. He was accused, and later convicted, of stealing millions from his law firm, clients, and legal settlements, including from cases involving children, disabled clients, and grieving families.
According to court records, Alex used the stolen funds to fuel his opioid addiction and maintain a lifestyle well beyond his means.
On the morning of the murders, the chief financial officer of PMPED confronted him about missing funds. Additionally, the Murdaugh family was facing a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of Mallory Beach, a 19-year-old who died in a 2019 boating accident while Paul was allegedly at the helm and intoxicated.
This civil trial, scheduled for July 2021, threatened to expose Alex’s financial misconduct. Prosecutors claimed that by murdering Maggie and Paul, Alex hoped to delay or derail the financial investigations, create a distraction, and gain public sympathy.
In essence, he allegedly committed double homicide as a diversionary tactic, a desperate, brutal attempt to preserve his reputation and avoid ruin.
How was Alex Murdaugh exposed during the trial?
The trial that followed in early 2023 revealed a tangle of lies, manipulation, and an increasingly desperate man.
The Snapchat video became pivotal. In it, Paul attempted to record a friend’s dog near the kennels, and Alex’s voice was unmistakably captured. Despite Alex’s earlier claims that he had not seen his wife and son that evening, this recording placed him at the scene just minutes before the murders.
Investigators also presented forensic and digital evidence, including GPS data, text messages, and inconsistencies in Alex’s timeline of events. His initial narrative began to crumble under scrutiny.
Perhaps the most shocking moment came when Alex took the stand in his own defence. He admitted to lying repeatedly to law enforcement, blaming his deception on his opioid addiction and general paranoia. But he continued to deny the murders, insisting he loved his wife and son.
Despite his testimony, the jury saw through the inconsistencies and manipulations. After weeks of gripping courtroom drama, Alex Murdaugh was found guilty on two counts of murder.
What sentence did Alex Murdaugh receive?
In March 2023, the court sentenced Alex to two consecutive life terms for the murders of Maggie and Paul, without the possibility of parole. However, that wasn’t the end of his legal troubles.
Later that year, in November, he pleaded guilty to 22 federal financial crimes, including wire fraud, bank fraud, and money laundering. These crimes included the theft of $4.3 million in insurance settlements meant for the family of Gloria Satterfield, the Murdaughs’ long-time housekeeper, who died under mysterious circumstances in 2018.
For those crimes, he received an additional 40 years in federal prison, to be served after his life sentences for the murders.
Here’s a quick summary of the sentencing:
| Crime | Sentence |
| Murder of Maggie Murdaugh | Life without parole |
| Murder of Paul Murdaugh | Life without parole |
| 22 Federal Financial Crimes | 40 years (consecutive) |
Did Alex Murdaugh attempt to fake his own death?
In an astonishing twist, Alex orchestrated a botched suicide scheme in September 2021. He arranged for a former client to shoot him in the head while on a roadside, supposedly to ensure that Buster, his surviving son, could claim a $10 million life insurance payout.
However, the plan failed. The bullet only grazed his head, and the truth quickly emerged. The man who had once stood atop a legal empire was now unravelling completely.
Although Alex wasn’t charged for this bizarre episode, it added further weight to the argument that he was willing to go to extraordinary lengths to cover his crimes, or end his life to avoid accountability.
Is Alex Murdaugh appealing his conviction?
Despite being behind bars, Alex continues to fight back. In August 2024, the South Carolina Supreme Court agreed to hear his appeal, citing allegations of jury tampering during the original trial.
At the centre of this appeal is Becky Hill, the trial clerk, who in May 2025 was charged with misconduct and perjury in connection to her role in the trial. She has denied the allegations, but the situation has created fresh uncertainty around a case many believed was settled.
As of October 2025, the appeal is still under review. Whether it results in a new trial or not, the legal aftermath of the Murdaugh saga continues to unfold.
What other crimes has Alex Murdaugh been linked to?
In addition to murder and fraud, Alex has been linked to several mysterious deaths, both directly and indirectly. One of the most troubling is that of Gloria Satterfield, the Murdaughs’ housekeeper who died after allegedly falling at their home in 2018.
Alex later admitted to securing a $4.3 million insurance payout in her name, money that was never given to her family.
Then there’s the 2015 death of Stephen Smith, a teenager whose body was found in the middle of a rural road. Initially ruled a hit-and-run, new investigations reopened in the wake of the Murdaugh scandal, suggest foul play, and the Murdaugh family name has repeatedly surfaced in connection to it.
While no charges have been filed against Alex in these cases, their re-examination shows how deep and murky the waters are when it comes to the Murdaugh legacy.
Does Buster Murdaugh believe his father is guilty?
Buster Murdaugh, the sole surviving son, has spoken publicly in support of his father, claiming that he does not believe Alex was responsible for the murders of Maggie and Paul.
In an interview featured in the Fox Nation docuseries, “The Fall of the House of Murdaugh,” Buster stated that he still fears the real killer may be out there.
At the same time, Buster admitted that his father possesses traits “associated with psychopathy,” citing his ability to manipulate and lie. While this acknowledgment adds nuance, Buster remains firm in his belief that the trial was unfair and that the verdict was, in part, prejudged by the jury.
It’s a complex stance, one of loyalty, doubt, and perhaps a refusal to let go of the family he once knew.
Has the Murdaugh story been dramatised in the media?
Absolutely. Few cases in recent memory have been as sensational or media-worthy. In October 2025, Hulu released a fictionalised series titled “Murdaugh: Death in the Family”, starring Jason Clarke as Alex Murdaugh.
The series dramatises the events surrounding the murders, financial crimes, and courtroom theatrics.
This comes after a flurry of documentaries, including Netflix’s “Murdaugh Murders: A Southern Scandal”, and a barrage of podcasts and YouTube series. It’s become more than a criminal case, it’s a cultural phenomenon, dissected by armchair detectives and professional journalists alike.
What is the legacy of the Murdaugh family now?
What was once a Southern dynasty of influence and prestige is now a case study in corruption and collapse. The Murdaugh name has gone from a symbol of legal authority to a cautionary tale.
The firm, PMPED, has rebranded and distanced itself from Alex, while lawsuits, investigations, and appeals continue to pile up.
Yet, the story remains unfinished. With ongoing appeals, unresolved deaths, and potential future trials, it’s clear that Alex Murdaugh’s chapter may be far from over.
FAQs
What triggered the murder investigation into Alex Murdaugh?
The discovery of Maggie and Paul’s bodies, combined with contradictory evidence from digital devices, led authorities to focus on Alex.
How did Paul’s Snapchat video help convict Alex?
The video proved Alex was at the murder scene minutes before the estimated time of death, contradicting his alibi.
What financial crimes was Alex Murdaugh convicted of?
He was convicted of stealing around $12 million through schemes involving fake accounts, client funds, and insurance fraud.
What is the status of Alex Murdaugh’s appeal?
As of October 2025, the South Carolina Supreme Court is reviewing allegations of jury tampering. No decision has been made yet.
How did Alex try to fake his own death?
He arranged for someone to shoot him in the head in an attempted insurance scam, which failed when he survived with minor injuries.
Is there a documentary or series on the Murdaugh case?
Yes, including Hulu’s “Murdaugh: Death in the Family” and Netflix’s “Murdaugh Murders: A Southern Scandal.”
Are there other mysterious deaths tied to the Murdaugh family?
Yes, including Gloria Satterfield and Stephen Smith. Both cases are being re-examined as part of wider investigations.
