Alex Murdaugh, disgraced attorney has been accused of murder in the 2021 deaths his son and wife. South Carolina authorities announced Thursday.
Margaret was born last June “Maggie” Murdaugh, 52, and 22-year-old Paul Murdaugh were found shot to death on the family’s hunting estate in Colleton County.
Alex Murdaugh, a South Carolina attorney from a well-known family, was arrested last October on numerous unrelated charges. They include allegations he attempted to arrange his own death so his surviving son could collect a $10 million life insurance payout and multiple alleged financial crimes.
State investigators are also probing the death of longtime Murdaugh housekeeper Gloria Satterfield, who died in 2018 in what was described as a “trip and fall accident”At the Murdaugh family residence.
Prosecutors allege that Alex Murdaugh took over $4 million in wrongful-death claims from his home insurance company by saying he was negotiating for Satterfield’s family, but never actually gave them any of their settlement money. Satterfield’s remains were exhumed as part of the ongoing investigation.
Alex was arrested last month on drug and criminal conspiracy charges. He is accused of running a drug ring within Colleton County between 2013 and 2021. authorities said.
In Thursday’s murder indictment, he was also charged with possession of a weapon during a violent crime.
“Over the last 13 months, SLED [South Carolina Law Enforcement Division] agents and our partners have worked day in and day out to build a case against the person responsible for the murders of Maggie and Paul and to exclude those who were not. At no point did agents lose focus on this investigation. From the beginning I have been clear, the priority was to ensure justice was served. Today is one more step in a long process for justice for Maggie and Paul,”SLED Chief Mark Keel Statement.
A news release stated that a bond hearing is not yet scheduled.
Alex Murdaugh denied involvement in the murders and assassinations of his wife, and son.
“It was very clear from day one that law enforcement and the Attorney General prematurely concluded that Alex was responsible for the murder of his wife and son,”His lawyers made the following statement. “But we know that Alex did not have any motive whatsoever to murder them.”
Alex Murdaugh currently faces 84 criminal allegations and 11 lawsuits. NBC News reported. He has pleaded not guilty previously to all charges.
Alex Murdaugh was formally disbarred Wednesday by the South Carolina Supreme Court.