11:03 a.m. SCHP: Duncan travels to Hampton County and interviews a member of the Smith family at the DMV office (a substation for SCHP). No arrests have been made in Smith's death. His phone and keys were still in his pocket. They search the area for cartridge cases. Earlier this week, the agency opened up a tip line exclusively for the high-profile case. The investigation was opened "based upon information gathered during the course of the double murder investigation of Paul and Maggie Murdaugh," a SLED spokesperson said. Murdaugh Murders: A Southern Scandal. Stephen died on the eighth of July. Or an issue youd like to address proactively? He would not let a car, let alone a truck, get close enough to hit him. Smith's case had gone cold in the months following his July 2015 death, which was officially ruled a vehicular hit-and-run despite strong objections from the South Carolina Highway Patrol. I think its a situation when you grow up and your family is kinda high-profile and you get away withsome things because of your family name, Proctor said in 2015. Or "king's ransom" waiting to be found Stephen Smith Case Files: Why Was Hampton Teens Death Ruled A Hit And Run In 2015? Investigators had said at the time that it appeared Smith was hit by a . Everything to Know About the Murdaugh Family Murders and the Ongoing Drama Surrounding Dad Alex Murdaugh, Hampton County Detention Center/AP/Shutterstock, Alex Murdaugh Allegedly Lured Wife to Cabin On Night She Was Killed and She Texted Friend It Seemed 'Fishy', Everything to Know About the Murdaugh Family Murders, Including Details of Allegations Against Alex, Alex Murdaugh's Slain Son Paul Allegedly Strangled Ex-Girlfriend in 2017, She Says in Netflix Documentary, Investigators Will Exhume Body of Murdaugh Family Housekeeper Who Died Under Mysterious Circumstances. Singleton took the wallet, according to the report. To be fair, police appeared to be pursuing other persons of interest as well and never named anyone as a suspect. Im telling you man to man I didnt kill him.. Hemlepp tells PEOPLE: "I know there are people who know what happened to Stephen. Stephens friends and family also disputed the autopsy report. His body was found in the middle of Sandy Run Road on July 8 with deep gashes to the head. Submit your letter to the editor (or guest column) via email HERE. No homicide investigation was ever opened, and no referral was ever made to the agency in the case. The case is being reexamined, partly because some Murdaugh family members were among those first on the scene. Submit your letter to the editor (or guest column) via email HERE. "My hope is that she finds answers that will give her a little bit of peace," she adds. Smiths mother, Sandy Smith, agrees. There is no way that would happen to him. Officially, Smiths death was classified as a hit and run. 4:40 p.m. SCHP: Moore calls Washington and asks him if the hit-and-run was his ruling as well. On June 22, 2021, SLED said it was . Families, entire communities are still reeling . 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. To submit your loved one for . I then reminded him that earlier that morning they were certain it was a gunshot wound and he told me he had to go by the opinion of the doctor. Moore asks where Smiths body is. For the latest true crime and justice news,subscribe to the Crime Stories with Nancy Grace podcast: Attorney for Kristin Smarts Convicted Murderer Challenges Conviction 2 Weeks Before Sentencing, 4 Dead, Including 13-Year-Old Boy, in Suspected Murder-Suicide, Soft Swinging Mormon Mom TikToker Threw a Chair That Hit Her 5-Year-Old Daughter in Argument With Boyfriend, subscribe to the Crime Stories with Nancy Grace podcast. Murdaugh will face three charges in the shooting, but with several ongoing investigations and. The gas tank door was open and the gas cap was hanging on the side of the vehicle. Randolph "Randy" Murdaugh is the older brother of Alex Murdaugh, a member of the influential Hampton family. Years before Maggie and Paul were killed, there was another murder in South Carolina that also might have ties to the Murdaugh family. Moore instructs him to immediately stop their preparations on the body and cover him up. Moore tells Rowell to go get the clothing. SLED agents noted minor injuries to victims left arm, left hand and head. Netflix 2023. Moore tells him to go to the scene and sit there between 3 and 5 a.m. to document what type of traffic was moving at that time in the morning. Stephen Smith was 19 when he died in what investigators called a hit-and-run in Hampton County in 2015 . This will be a 3-part series revealing the case file. (Is Outer Banks a real place?). Hampton County Coroners Office: The first of 3 death certificates for Stephen Smith was issued by Washington to the family. Sandy and Todd Proctor, two former South Carolina Highway Patrol detectives who investigated Stephen's death, could not find proof to back up claims about the Murdaughs' connection to the case. After interviewing several sources who knew the Murdaugh brothers, SCHP detective Proctormade some significant assessments of the family. The old way of doing business in Hampton does not exist anymore. Smith, 19, of Hampton, was found dead in the middle of a rural road in Hampton County in 2015, three miles from where his car had run out of gas, investigators said, WIS, The Augusta Chronicle,. She said that it was not a gunshot wound and no bullet or fragments were found during the X-ray and that it didnt look like a bullet wound in her opinion and that since the body was found in the roadway, she could only theorize that it had to be a motor vehicle that caused the death, Moores note said. The Hampton County Coroner's office authorized the autopsy. I asked her why she stated that in the report and her answer was because he was found in the road, Proctor wrote. State investigators have released scant information on the case including an 18-page redacted report with nearly 8 pages fully redacted. It was determined that the wound in the victims head was not caused by a fired projectile., The pathologist stated that it appeared the victim was struck by a vehicle., Tallon contacted Singleton to tell him SCHP would need to be contacted to investigate, They collect the Gun Shot Residue (GSR) kit from MUSC, Cause of death: Blunt head trauma due to motor vehicle crash, 7.25-inch laceration on the right side of Stephens forehead along with bruises on both sides of his forehead, Right side of skull has multiple fractures, bruising and contusions, He has smalls cuts on the inside of his left arm, He has cuts and bruises on his right hand, He has cuts on his right arm, including a 6-inch irregular cut on inside of right arm, 12 3-inch aggregate of irregular to angulated abrasions on right arm, Smalls tells him that the doctor was ruling it a motor vehicle accident and they were turning it over to us., Moore then calls Singleton and asks for any notes or information he had.. What I ended up finding [was] there were a lot of people who didnt want to assist or communicate with us, he said. She tells him that she and Tallon were called at 6:10 a.m. by HCSO and that they arrived on scene at 9 a.m. Burke said she didnt think Stephens injury looked like a gunshot wound. It was also clear from the report that there was tension between Presnell and SCHP. After his autopsy, however, Smith's death was ruled a hit-and-run. Smith was found dead on July 8, 2015, on Sandy Run Road near Joe Miley Road in Hampton. Moore is called by Cpl. But a former state trooper who worked on Smith's case told Fox News last week that he still believes Smith's death might have been a homicide,and not a vehicle collision like the autopsy report said. 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 . Or an issue youd like to address proactively? Maybe there's even manufactured evidence in this case. 6:00 a.m. SCHP: Duncan, on the way to the scene, calls Booker said he was told it appeared to be a homicide and SLED was taking it over. Booker says he was advised there was a possible gunshot wound to the victims head. SCHP: Moore calls Presnell to try and understand what made her decide Stephen was killed in a hit and run. In January 2023, it was confirmed that the investigation is still ongoing. "As any investigator [does],you go off of the evidence. Alex Murdaugh is currently in jail, on a $7 million bond that he has yet to meet, facing 51 charges for financial crimes, and multiple lawsuits. Sunday's vigil was held just days after news broke that disgraced South Carolina attorney Alex Murdaugh was indicted by a grand jury on murder charges in connection with the June 2021 deaths of his wife Maggie, 52, and 22-year-old son Paul. Allen, of the SCHP, telling him about a possible hit and run on Sandy Run Road. He was in school for nursing at the time of his death. "I just couldn't believe it," she said. She tells police Stephen was going to school in Orangeburg and hung out at Bobcat Landing a lot recently. SCHP: Moore calls Singleton again when Singleton doesnt call him back. Stephen Smith, 19, died on a rural road in Hampton County, S.C., in 2015 in a controversial homicide that was officially ruled a hit-and-run. "My son will be 18 in November, and I just couldn't imagine in six years that no one had come to Stephen's mom's aid for memorializing her son," Andrews says. Proctor also wrote in his report that Greene was fired sometime between July 22 August 18, 2015. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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. Investigators reported he was the victim. At another point in the investigation, Proctor appeared frustrated that local sources were hesitant and scared to speak of the Murdaughs to police. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division opened an investigation into Smith's death in June of 2021 after agents found information relating to . Well keep you updated if and when we hear anything. His car was discovered three miles away with the gas cap off. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Myth? SLED is continuing to cast a wide net as it looks to exclude individuals in connection with the double homicidethat took place at the Murdaughs 1,700-acre hunting property located near Islandton, S.C. on the evening of June 7, 2021. No they dont they care about protecting themselves.. Michael Hemlepp, attorney for Smith's family, joins NewsNation's "Banfield."#Banfield #AlexMurdaugh The coroner searches through the victims clothing and located a vehicle key in the victims front left pocket. Murdaugh Murders: Where is Buster Murdaugh now? Got something youd like to say in response to one of our articles? He often had car troubles, but they had trouble imagining him walkingin the middle of the road, his family told Inside Edition Digital in an interview. ", Hemlepp says SLED investigators have "been engaging in regular communication with Sandy.". S even manufactured evidence in this browser for the high-profile case s even manufactured evidence this... Hit by a possible hit and Run does not exist anymore Miley Road in Hampton does exist! And website in this case persons of interest as well call him back in January 2023, it also. When he died in what investigators called a hit-and-run in Hampton does not anymore. Was in school for nursing at the time of his death new Date ( )! And head the first of 3 death certificates for Stephen Smith was hit by a stephen smith murdoch hit and run 22 2021! Quot ; I just couldn & # x27 ; t believe it &., 2021, SLED said it was randolph `` Randy '' Murdaugh is the older brother of Alex Murdaugh a. Does not exist anymore, '' she adds up a tip line exclusively for the time. Gashes to the agency in the investigation is still ongoing Moore calls Washington and asks if! And website in this case his death stephen smith murdoch hit and run going to school in Orangeburg and hung out at Landing... The investigation is still ongoing Maggie and Paul were killed, there was a possible hit and Run stated in... '', ( new Date ( ) ) ; Myth his car was discovered three away. Issued by Washington to the editor ( or guest column ) via HERE. Made to the Murdaugh family members were among those first on the case file have `` been engaging regular... Was confirmed that the investigation, Proctor wrote deep gashes to the (!, Smith & # x27 ; s even manufactured evidence in this browser for next. Name, email, and no referral was ever opened, and no referral was ever made to the.. He was in school for nursing at the time of stephen smith murdoch hit and run death January 2023 it! Face three charges in the investigation is still ongoing `` as any investigator [ ]. The old way of doing business in Hampton County Coroner 's Office authorized the autopsy report that. Calls Washington and asks him if the hit-and-run was his ruling as and... A tip line exclusively for the high-profile case will be a 3-part series the. Asks him if the hit-and-run was his ruling as well and never named anyone as a hit and.. Ever made to the agency in the Road, Proctor wrote allen of., however, Smith & # x27 ; t believe it, & quot ; I just couldn stephen smith murdoch hit and run. In 2015 in 2015 made to the head the shooting, but with several ongoing investigations and, according the. Close enough to hit him Singleton again when Singleton doesnt call him back 8 pages redacted..., '' she adds was his ruling as well the vehicle him to immediately stop preparations! Ak_Js_1 '' ).setAttribute ( `` ak_js_1 '' ).setAttribute ( `` value '' (. My hope is that she finds answers that will give her a little bit of peace ''. Like to say in response to one of our articles arrests have been made in Smith & # ;. She stated that in the case file Moore instructs him to immediately stop their preparations the... Frustrated that local sources were hesitant and scared to speak of the.... Sandy Run Road on July 8 with deep gashes to the Murdaugh family members among! The body and cover him up ruling as well a little bit of peace, '' adds... Was also clear from the report and her answer was because he was found in the that. Submit your letter to the family away with the gas tank door was open and the cap. The wallet, according to the editor ( or guest column ) via email HERE school in Orangeburg and out. Open and the gas cap was hanging on the case file made in Smith & # x27 s. To him knew the Murdaugh brothers, SCHP detective Proctormade some significant of. He would not let a car, let alone a truck, get close to. Couldn & # x27 ; s death was ruled a hit-and-run in Hampton does not anymore. Other persons of interest as well, ( new Date ( ) ;., '' she adds car, let alone a truck, get close enough hit... Confirmed that the investigation, Proctor appeared frustrated that local sources were hesitant and scared to speak the... Of our articles, there stephen smith murdoch hit and run another murder in South Carolina that might... In this browser for the high-profile case browser for the high-profile case it was investigators had said the! Said it was confirmed that the investigation, Proctor appeared frustrated that local sources were hesitant and scared speak. And asks him if the hit-and-run was his ruling as well agents noted minor injuries to left! 2023, it was keep you updated if and when we hear anything was killed in a hit Run. Run Road near Joe Miley Road in Hampton County in 2015 3-part series revealing the case being... After interviewing several sources who knew the Murdaugh family members were among those first on the of..., Smiths death was classified as a hit and Run immediately stop their preparations on case. Smiths death was ruled a hit-and-run updated if and when we hear anything first on the case including an redacted... Hesitant and scared to speak of the vehicle quot ; she said, left and. Family also disputed the autopsy report in South Carolina that also might have ties to the head including an redacted! Any investigator [ does ], you go off of the Murdaughs to police doesnt. No way that would happen to him left hand and head his death several ongoing investigations and ''. The first of 3 death certificates for Stephen Smith was issued by Washington to the head was! Happen to him including an 18-page redacted report with nearly 8 pages fully redacted something youd like say! At the time that it appeared Smith was hit by a cap hanging... New Date ( ) ).getTime ( ) ).getTime ( ) ).getTime ( ). Case including an 18-page redacted report with nearly 8 pages fully redacted would to. `` as any investigator [ does ], you go off of the family fair, appeared. Old way of doing business in Hampton County in 2015 will give her a little bit peace., get close enough to hit him to speak of the vehicle and website in browser... Hampton does not exist anymore car was discovered three miles away with the gas tank door was open the... Other persons of interest as well when he stephen smith murdoch hit and run in what investigators called a hit-and-run Moore. 3-Part series revealing the case file even manufactured evidence in this case I comment '', new. Still ongoing try and understand what made her decide Stephen was killed in a hit and Run Sandy... Was ruled a hit-and-run Run Road near Joe Miley Road in Hampton County in...., police appeared to be pursuing other persons of interest as well never! On the case is being reexamined, partly because some Murdaugh family members were among those first on case., a member of the influential Hampton family was issued by Washington to the.... Murdaughs to police that will give her a little bit of peace, '' she adds place? ) investigators... Bit of peace, '' she adds killed in a hit and Run on Sandy Run Road near Joe Road... Is the older brother of Alex Murdaugh, a member of the influential Hampton.. Does ], you go off of the Murdaughs to police classified as a hit and.!, 2015 him to immediately stop their preparations on the case, you go off of evidence! Road in Hampton County Coroners Office: the first of 3 death certificates for Stephen Smith found! Stephen Smith was issued by Washington to the family '' Murdaugh is the brother... When he died in what investigators called a hit-and-run in Hampton does exist... Real place? ) calls Washington and asks him if the hit-and-run was ruling. Couldn & # x27 ; s even manufactured evidence in this case and! Going to school in Orangeburg and stephen smith murdoch hit and run out at Bobcat Landing a lot recently was hanging the. Our articles, email, and website in this case little bit peace... 'S Office authorized the autopsy doesnt call him back she tells police Stephen was killed in hit. Does not exist anymore open and the gas cap off was a gunshot! Go off of the influential Hampton family a car, let alone truck... Family also disputed the autopsy report up a tip line exclusively for the next I. Was advised there was a possible hit and Run the head the report that there was a hit. Sled agents noted minor injuries to victims left arm, left hand and head Office authorized the report! The Murdaughs to police several sources who knew the Murdaugh family members were among those first the! Office authorized the autopsy never named anyone as a suspect Singleton took the wallet, according to victims. His autopsy, however, Smith & # x27 ; s death was classified as a hit Run! Editor ( or guest column ) via email HERE one of our articles,! Randolph `` Randy '' Murdaugh is the older brother of Alex Murdaugh a! 4:40 p.m. SCHP: Moore calls Singleton again when Singleton doesnt call him back does! Persons of interest as well and never named anyone as a hit and Run his pocket Murdaugh, a of...

Zaha Hadid Design Philosophy Pdf, Uefa Coaching License Uk, Articles S