The Murdaughs and the Killing of Stephen Smith

Panic: Queer True Crime

In the early morning of July 8, 2015, Stephen Smith, a 19-year-old nursing student living in Hampton County, South Carolina, was found dead in the middle of a dark country road. His death would be the first in a long line of heartaches and tragedies connected to Alex Murdaugh and his family. Was Stephen Smith's killing intentional, was he the victim of a hate crime, or was his death the result of a hit-and-run? As the Alex Murdaugh trial captures worldwide attention let's not forget the person who might have been the first victim to lose their life in a tidal wave of unchecked power and greed.

Why would a sober and smart 19-year-old who grew up in the area get out of his car on a dark road in the middle of the night? Why wouldn't he use the phone found in his right pocket to call for help? Why would he leave his wallet in the car if he needed gas? Why wouldn’t he call his twin sister or his father to come to get him? While investigating the murders of Maggie and Paul Murdaugh SLED, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, which only investigates homicides, found evidence related to Stephen Smith's killing and reopened the investigation into his death. Who killed Stephen Smith and why? Hope we'll have answers soon.

Here is a link to the two reports from the highway patrol and the police department. Investigator Summary: https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/20971438-stephen-smith-investigator-summary-documents

This report is a part of reporting on the case: https://www.fitsnews.com/2022/02/17/murdaugh-murders-saga-forensic-review-of-stephen-smiths-autopsy-required/

For a depth overview of the entire Murdaugh, case check out the Murdaugh Murder podcast channel. The reporting has been exhaustive.

https://www.youtube.com/@UC6t_kdvrDw2p1F79IBnnNWQ

Please feel free to leave your kind thoughts about Stephen Smith you never know who will see them.