The Murdaugh family name has been entrenched in scandal and mystery since Paul was indicted on three charges related to the death of 19-year-old Mallory Beach in a boating accident in April 2020. Following his June 2021 death, charges were dropped.

On June 7, Murdaugh allegedly discovered the bodies of his wife and youngest son at the family’s Islandton residence. A SLED press release from that time stated that the mother and son were both dead of gunshot wounds.   

Less than three months later, Murdaugh made headlines once again when he was shot in September 2021. His attorneys told him that he was innocent at the time. NBC News that he had pulled over to change a flat tire when he was shot in the head, but that it was only a superficial wound.   

However, on Sept. 14, Murdaugh’s lawyer Dick Harpootlian told Today His client had struggled with opioid addiction and had planned the assassination to save his oldest son. Richard “Buster” Alexander Jr.He would then receive the $10 million policy.   

The Murdaugh family was linked to multiple state cases being reopened, including that of a 19-year old who died. Stephen Smith and of the family’s housekeeper Gloria Satterfield.   

After checking into a rehab facility in Florida, Murdaugh was later arrested in October 2021 and charged with two felony counts of obtaining property by false pretenses. Murdaugh was then extradited to South Carolina where he remains in prison.