SCHP: Moore writes I turned the clothing over to Duncan and after a discussion by all parties as to why this did not appear to be related to a motor vehicle.. Murdaugh's. Even after the eight-year veteran enhanced his postseason legend with another prolific stretch . As if all of the foregoing wasn't wild enough, apparently, information gathered from the Murdaugh double murder investigation has prompted law enforcement to reopen a case regarding the 2015 death of 19-year-old Stephen Smith. The teens had been "grossly intoxicated," according to police, even though they were all underage and could not legally buy alcohol. But eight years later, a new investigation says otherwise, with Smith as the subject of the new docuseries Murdaugh Murders: A Southern Scandal. RELATED|Boat Crash Lawsuit: Murdaughs Refuse To Settle, Withhold Financial Records From Victims Family. ", Hemlepp says SLED investigators have "been engaging in regular communication with Sandy.". Stephen's twin sister, Stephanie Smith, remembered the moment the coroner called her home about Stephen's death. According to our sources, all of the boat crash survivors and Beachs family members voluntarily submitted to questioning and volunteered to provide their DNA as a part of the double homicide investigation. Randy Murdaugh was the second person to call my dad after the coroner," Stephanie told ABC. . Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? According to Live 5 News, the Murdaugh family is mentioned several times in the investigative files of Stephen Smith, who died by hit-and-run in July 2015. Multi-Disciplinary Accident Investigation Team, told Fox News in an exclusivetelevisioninterview, Maggie Murdaugh's Cellphone Was Found Near Roadside Away From Crime Scene, Sources Reportedly Say, SLED Will Investigate Stephen Smith 2015 Death, Citing Emerging Details in Paul and Maggie Murdaugh Killings, New Redacted Report on Murdaugh Homicide Case Released. "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. You become invincible in a way and you get a little liquor and you think youre untouchable.. I guarantee you that Stephen was not in that road, she said. His head was misshapen by blunt force. I wouldn't put shit by wealthy, corrupt, powerful, relatively young or barely "mature", highly intelligent men, privileged in every way. 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. He said he would take Stephens case free of charge. (Assisted suicide explained). She said shortly after Stephens death that believes her son was beaten to death and the crime covered up. His car was discovered three miles away with the gas cap off. Email us atexclusive@the-sun.comor call212 416 4552. The notes reveal the timeline of investigative measures taken from the momentSmith's body was found July 8, 2015, through December of that year. Got a technical question or a glitch to report? Families, entire communities are still reeling . It would repeatedly get to a certain point, then the assigned investigator would bow out, perhaps not wanting to take on Solicitor Murdaugh.. 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 . Randy declined to comment on the statement Stephanie made to investigators regarding his alleged phone call. (WTOC/Provided) Initial reports indicated he died from blunt force trauma to the head. He said that Stephen was being harassed on the night of his death at Sniders Crossroads on the way to Walterboro, South Carolina. At the time, her death was classified as an accidental slip and fall, but authorities have reopened the investigation. Hampton County Coroners Office: The first of 3 death certificates for Stephen Smith was issued by Washington to the family. 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. He doesnt deserve people to think that.. "As any investigator [does],you go off of the evidence. 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She had no evidence other than that for the statement being put in the report., Proctor said that he explained to her that law enforcement officers had no evidence of this individual being struck by a vehicle.. He was bright and determined to make a better life for himself. His wallet was inside the car. 8:22 p.m. SCHP: Moore calls Burke. Her body was found seven days after the February 2019 boat crash. The Hampton community is hoping a suspect can be identified, after 19-year-old Stephen Smith was found dead on Sandy Run Road in an apparent hit and run. They found engine oil in the vehicle but could not get the car to start. She is working writing an official letter to SLED. Hemlepp tells PEOPLE: "I know there are people who know what happened to Stephen. All betting content is intended for an audience ages 21+. Allen tells Duncan that the only injuries to the victim were around the head area.. Stephen was not stupid, Stephens friend told FITSNews. Hours later, a pathologist at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) Dr. Erin Presnell ruled that Stephen was killed in a hit-and-run accident, a decision which was met with confusion and skepticism by investigators and those who knew Stephen. Stephens massive head wound along with the lack of other significant injuries on his body stumped investigators on scene. He said another investigator had already had, from (his) understanding a heated conversation with her about this issue.. The killings also led the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division to open a new inquiry into the unsolved death of Stephen Smith, a 19-year-old whose body was found on a rural road in the area in . What I ended up finding [was] there were a lot of people who didnt want to assist or communicate with us, he said. Your favorite teams, topics, and players all on your favorite mobile devices. At the time of his death, Smith was a 19-year-old Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College student who was studying to become a nurse. Stephens relative didnt believe the person who said they were dating Stephen and said the family was skeptical of him. In a report (below) by Todd Proctor, a MAIT detective for SCHP, it was clear that investigators didnt agree with the pathologists conclusion to rule the death a hit and run. They were very withdrawn with what they knew or thought.. Like the probe of the 2019 boat crash that killed Mallory Beach, the 2015 investigation into Smiths death was chaotic from the beginning clouded by jurisdictional confusion and suspicions of investigative interference. After interviewing several sources who knew the Murdaugh brothers, SCHP detective Proctormade some significant assessments of the family. CLICK HERE. We have an open microphone policy here at FITSNews! 9:18 a.m. SLED: Agents release the scene to HCSO personnel and leave. State police reopen hit-and-run death investigation from details gathered in Murdaugh case. 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. The family was skeptical of Randy Murdaughs offer and thought it was weird. Mallory Beach's parents also spoke out in the 20/20 documentary, remembering their daughter who died after an accident involving a Murdaugh family boat. 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. Investigators bid to solve last weeks double homicide draws fresh scrutiny on 2015 cold case . "My hope is that she finds answers that will give her a little bit of peace," she adds. Despite the lack of tire marks or automobile debris, investigators ruled his death a hit-and-run accident. Singleton tells Moore he wasnt at his desk and would call him back in 30 minutes. She said they were adamant it was a gunshot wound, so they mapped the scene and began to gather evidence as they would normally do.. The case of 19-year-old Stephen Smith is often mentioned in the same sentence on social media. Murdaugh murders: Cops clueless about motive, refuse to release 911 call details Another deceased person's name has reemerged in the case - Stephen Smith, a gay man from Hampton who died in 2015. Tallon and Burke take photos and notes and make a sketch with measurements (see below). Todd Proctor, former. Rumors have swirled about a possible relationship between Stephen Smith and Buster Murdaugh. Proctor made it clear in his reports that he didnt believe Stephens death was a hit-and-run. Hes never been around Stephen., When asked who told her that she said Stephens friend, another kid who she named, and a couple other people.. Sandy told Duncan that she heard rumors about the Murdaugh boys had something to do with Stephens death. How injury occurred: Subject was apparently hit by a motor vehicle possibly a truck. Tallon notes that an EMS worker stated that a projectile wound was located on the victims head the HCCO moved the victim prior to SLED Crime Scene arrival.. I just dont believe my son would have been walking in the middle of the road like that. Paul had pleaded not guilty to the charges and was not incarcerated. Allen informs Moore that it is a homicide, not a hit and run. "He wouldve called somebody.. Its also unclear if the MAIT team ever examined Stephens phone, which was tossed between agencies before it was finally unlocked by the FBI several years after his death. 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. Also buried close by is Stephen's brother, who died as a baby. Stephen's murder was ruled a hit-and-run with no one arrested for the crime, but in 2021, the case was reopened. Then he was beat up, so the story just kept changing over and over," said Sandra Smith, Stephen's mother, this week. Smith had a head wound consistent with being shot, the coroner explained in a report. However, Randy said in the 20/20 documentary that he knew of "no connection whatsoever" between the Murdaugh family and Stephen Smiths death. She currently lives on Hilton Head Island where she enjoys beach life. 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