6 Twists in the Murdaugh Murder Case You Didn't See Coming
On the night of June 7, 2021, Alex Murdaugh, a prominent attorney from a well-known South Carolina legal dynasty, made a frantic call to 911. He claimed to have found his wife, Maggie, 52, and his youngest son, Paul, 22, shot to death near the kennels on their sprawling 1,700-acre estate. The deaths shocked South Carolina's Lowcountry, where the Murdaugh family had built a legal empire spanning generations. But as investigators dug deeper, cracks in Alex's story began to emerge. Lies unraveled, secrets surfaced, and a web of deception was exposed. Here are six of the most shocking twists in the case that continues to captivate the nation.
1. The Video That Destroyed an Alibi
For months before his trial, Alex had claimed he was nowhere near the kennels when his wife and son were murdered that evening. He said he had been visiting his ailing mother — a seemingly airtight alibi.
However, in a stunning twist, investigators revealed they had unearthed a crucial clue on Paul's phone: A video recorded just minutes before he and Maggie were killed. Taken at the family's dog kennels, the footage included audio of Alex's voice, proving he was indeed at the scene of the murders moments before shots were fired.
This revelation obliterated Alex's alibi. Prosecutors used GPS data from Alex's phone and car to further support their timeline. When Alex finally admitted on the stand that he'd lied, he blamed it on paranoia caused by years of opioid addiction. But for the jury, the damage had already been done.
2. Two Outfits, One Deadly Night
Another damning detail emerged in the form of Alex's wardrobe.
Earlier in the evening, a Snapchat video showed him wearing khakis and a blue button-down shirt while spending time with Paul. By the time police arrived, however, Alex had changed into a white T-shirt and shorts.
Prosecutors argued that this outfit change wasn't coincidental. They alleged he swapped clothes after the killings to conceal blood spatter. Combined with the absence of blood on the clothes he wore when police arrived, the wardrobe switch raised suspicions and painted a picture of meticulous planning.
3. A Caregiver's Testimony Shakes Alex's Alibi
Alex used a visit to his mother, who has Alzheimer's, as a key part of his alibi. But Mushelle "Shelley" Smith, his mother's caregiver, testified that Alex pressured her to exaggerate the length of his visit.
Smith recalled that Alex asked her to say he'd stayed for 30-40 minutes when, in reality, she remembered his visit lasting only 15-20 minutes.
To make matters worse, Alex mentioned helping pay for her wedding expenses during the same conversation. Smith described his behavior that night as fidgety, and prosecutors argued this interaction was part of his effort to manipulate the timeline.
4. Maggie's Sister Questions Alex's Priorities
Maggie's sister, Marian Proctor, testified about Alex's strange behavior after the murders. Instead of focusing on finding the person responsible, Alex appeared fixated on clearing Paul's name from a prior boating scandal.
Paul had faced felony charges in a 2019 boating accident that killed 19-year-old Mallory Beach. According to Proctor, Alex repeatedly mentioned his top priority was to clear Paul's reputation. For Proctor, this attitude felt out of place given the gravity of the situation.
"I thought that was so strange, because my number one goal was to find out who killed my sister and Paul," Proctor said, according to People.com.
Her testimony added another layer to the growing doubts surrounding Alex's actions.
5. A Failed Plot to Stage His Own Death
Three months after the murders, Alex found himself at the center of yet another bizarre incident. He claimed to have been shot in the head while changing a flat tire on a rural road.
However, investigators quickly uncovered the truth: Alex had enlisted his cousin, Curtis "Eddie" Smith, to kill him in a failed insurance fraud scheme. Alex hoped his surviving son, Buster, would collect a $10 million life insurance payout. Instead, the plan unraveled spectacularly.
Alex survived with only a superficial wound, and both he and Smith were arrested. This bizarre twist revealed the lengths Alex was willing to go to, as his life spiraled out of control.
6. The Curious Case of Gloria Satterfield
Before the murders, Alex had already faced questions surrounding the mysterious death of Gloria Satterfield, the family's longtime housekeeper.
In 2018, Satterfield reportedly fell at the Murdaugh home and later died from her injuries. Alex advised her sons to hire an attorney to help with an insurance settlement, but what they didn't know was that the lawyer was one of Alex's close friends.
The settlement reached $4.3 million, with $2.8 million intended for Satterfield's family. They never received a dime. Instead, Alex pocketed the money for himself.
Authorities have since reopened the investigation into Satterfield's death, noting inconsistencies in the original account and the fact that no autopsy was performed.
What Happened to Alex Murdaugh?
In March 2023, a jury convicted Alex Murdaugh of the murders of Maggie and Paul after less than three hours of deliberation. He received two consecutive life sentences. On the stand, Alex admitted to lying and stealing but continued to deny involvement in the murders.
The fallout didn't end with his conviction. Alex faces nearly 90 additional charges for financial crimes, including embezzling millions from his law firm and clients, which is speculated to be the reason for killing his wife and son; to redirect attention away from his crimes. His defense team has filed appeals, citing alleged jury tampering and pushing for a new trial. For now, Alex remains in prison, his reputation destroyed and his family legacy in ruins.
The Murdaugh murders captivated the nation with astounding twists and betrayals. While justice has been served for Maggie and Paul, the story remains far from over, leaving a trail of questions and tragedies in its wake.
References: Murdaugh Murders: A Complete Timeline of Alex Murdaugh's Trial | The 'Murdaugh Murders': What to Know About the Case in South Carolina
