The Murdaugh Murders, Money & Mystery | Unsolved South Carolina

S3E4: Murdaugh gets 40 years in federal fraud case Apr 17, 2024

Former attorney Alex Murdaugh received a 40-year prison sentence in federal court for his financial crimes.

United States District Judge Richard M. Gergel handed down the sentence on April 1 at the United States District Courthouse in Charleston.

In this latest episode, Anne Emerson, Drew Tripp, and Charlie Condon discuss new information learned from the federal sentencing, which includes $6 million in missing money, 11 new unknown victims, and an alleged unnamed codefendant to Murdaugh's crimes.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S3E3: Murdaugh Retrial Denied Jan 31, 2024

Alex Murdaugh's bid for a retrial falls short as Justice Jean Toal rules Becky Hill's likely improper contact with jurors didn't rise to the level of prejudicial jury tampering.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S3E2: Bad Day for Murdaugh in Retrial Bid Jan 20, 2024

Alex Murdaugh's defense team entered the ring throwing haymakers in a pre-hearing status conference on January 16th, hoping to bludgeon open a clear path to a retrial in Murdaugh's murder case. But retired South Carolina Supreme Court Chief Justice Jean Toal, the newly appointed judge on the case, parried and rebuffed Murdaugh's ambitious volleys in stunning and decisive fashion. Now Murdaugh's opening to land the decisive blow against his dual murder convictions and life sentence appears vanishingly small.

Join Anne Emerson, Charlie Condon and Drew Tripp as they recap the important day in court and preview Murdaugh's upcoming evidentiary hearing on the controversial jury tampering allegations.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S3E1: PREVIEW: Jury Tampering & Retrial Hearing Jan 06, 2024

Did Colleton County Clerk of Court Becky Hill have improper communications with jurors during Alex Murdaugh’s murder trial? If so, did she create bias or prejudice among jurors potentially influencing their verdict and warranting a retrial?

Those are the two primary questions needing answers when state prosecutors and Murdaugh’s defense lawyers meet in court January 29 in a pivotal hearing to decide if Murdaugh’s dual convictions for the murders of his wife and son were fair and will stand.

Murdaugh’s defense lawyers in a brief filed ahead of the hearing adamantly argue the answer to both questions is “Yes,” while the team of prosecutors for the S.C. Attorney General's Office argue they still feel Murdaugh shouldn't even be getting a hearing.

Join Anne Emerson, Charlie Condon and Drew Tripp as they break down the legal battles taking shape.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S2E46: Ethics Probe, Wiretapping Scandal Connected Dec 16, 2023

State investigators have found evidence linking a Colleton County government wiretapping scandal involving Jeffrey Hill to a public ethics complaint against his mother, the county’s elected clerk of court, Becky Hill.

In this episode, former S.C. Attorney General Charlie Condon tells hosts Anne Emerson and Drew Tripp how the ethics complaint and attacks on Hill's character might impact a potential retrial for convicted murderer Alex Murdaugh.

BACKGROUND:

The date of the wiretapping incident involving Jeffrey Hill came in late July 2023, about a month after someone filed an ethics complaint against his mother with the State Ethics Commission.

Becky Hill's county-issued cell phone was confiscated as part of the ongoing investigation. A public corruption investigation tied to the wiretapping incident has now been escalated to the S.C. Attorney General's Office.

The original ethics complaint against Becky Hill, dated June 2023, alleges that during the Murdaugh murder trial and afterward, she "utilized her authority, the Colleton County Courthouse and taxpayer's money outside the scope of routine court business."

In documents dated August 2023 reported by FITSNews, Hill categorically denies many of the allegations made in the original June 26 ethics complaint, and alleges other accusations have been crafted to exclude important context and other details to intentionally make her actions appear nefarious.

MORE: Source says Colleton wiretapping & corruption probe linked to court clerk ethics complaint

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S2E45: Murdaugh's Victims Have Their Day In Court Nov 30, 2023

A tenuous sense of finality has spread across the South Carolina Lowcountry like a late November cold front as another chapter in Alex Murdaugh's seemingly unending criminal saga comes to a close. Getting there, the world heard for the first time this week the raw emotional catharsis of several families victimized by Alex Murdaugh's beguiling treachery. Friends, peers and clients alike unleashed years of pent-up anger and disappointment in Murdaugh Tuesday as he was formally sentenced to 27 years in prison for his many frauds, thefts, forgeries and lies. To some, the sentence only serves to further stoke the fire of their anger as it seems to them not nearly enough. Others are simply glad to turn from the last page a dark chapter in their lives — more interested in peace and forgiveness than vengeance.

But what would this historic day be without the enigmatic and vexing Murdaugh once again attempting to seize the spotlight away from those owed justice to shine the attention on himself instead?

Join host Anne Emerson, legal analyst Charlie Condon and producer Drew Tripp for this jam-packed retrospective on Alex Murdaugh's financial crimes plea deal and sentencing.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S2E44: Murdaugh wants Satterfield case moved to new venue to find "fair & impartial jury" Nov 15, 2023

The legal maneuvering never ceases where Alex Murdaugh is concerned. This week, Murdaugh attorney Dick Harpootlian is once again raising concerns that his client won't be able to get a fair jury trial due to media attention when the Satterfield fraud and money laundering case goes to court on November 27 in Beaufort County. Harpootlian says a sampling of responses from potential jurors on pre-trial questionnaires show Murdaugh might find it impossible in "beautiful Beaufort by the sea" to find a juror who's a blank slate. Harpootlian now wants the case moved out of not only Beaufort, but of the Lowcountry entirely. A hearing on the issue is set for Friday, November 18, at 10 a.m. in Beaufort County.

Meantime, we still don't know what'll happen with respect to Murdaugh's petition to the Supreme Court asking that they bar presiding Judge Clifton Newman from overseeing any more Murdaugh cases. This legal limbo hangs over the Attorney General's office responding to Murdaugh's request for a retrial in his murder case on jury tampering charges. Clerk of Court Becky Hill now claims the accusations against her are false, and the AG's Office takes the bold stance that Murdaugh despite scandalous claims doesn't actually have a credible claim to stand on.

Join Anne Emerson, former S.C. Attorney General Charlie Condon and producer Drew Tripp as they analyze everything new in the world of Murdaugh.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S2E43: Will Judge Clifton Newman stay on the Murdaugh case? Nov 07, 2023

Alex Murdaugh's lawyers have taken the extraordinary step of asking the Supreme Court of South Carolina to remove Judge Clifton Newman as the presiding judge in the Murdaugh cases. The petition cites the fact Judge Newman himself may be a witness in the looming retrial hearing over jury tampering allegations in the Murdaugh murder trial. The request to have Judge Newman taken off the cases also wades into the territory of potential misconduct and bias on the judge's part for statements made since the jury returned its guilty verdict against Murdaugh for the killings of his wife and son.

Join host Anne Emerson, legal analyst and former Attorney General Charlie Condon, and producer Drew Tripp as they break down the latest head-spinning developments in the world of Murdaugh.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S2E42: Alex Murdaugh guilty plea & asset forfeiture Sep 22, 2023

Alex Murdaugh entered a guilty plea Thursday to federal fraud and money laundering conspiracy charges, marking the first formal acknowledgment of guilt by the disgraced former attorney. But of course, nothing in the Murdaugh case could ever be so straightforward. The hearing concluded with Murdaugh's attorneys requesting Judge Richard Gergel sign an immediate forfeiture order for Alex's assets to be seized by the federal government. Lawyers Jim Griffin and Dick Harpootlian projected altruism for Murdaugh's victims and cited a need to prevent other lawyers from "burning off" the money recovered by state court officers in charge of Alex's money. This has the potential to set up a legal fight between the state and feds over who has control over Murdaugh's millions.

Join investigative reporter Anne Emerson, legal analyst Charlie Condon and executive producer Drew Tripp as they break down the latest developments in the Murdaugh sphere.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S2E41: Jury tampering & Cory Fleming updates Sep 16, 2023

South Carolina prosecutors have filed their response to Alex Murdaugh's request for a new murder trial based on jury tampering allegations. The Attorney General's office concedes a hearing may be needed, but says "significant factual disputes" have already been revealed in the ongoing investigation. Meantime, Judge Clifton Newman this week sentenced Murdaugh co-conspirator Cory Fleming to 20 year in state prison on fraud and money laundering charges.

Anne, Charlie and Drew have the details in this lengthy breakdown from a busy week in the Murdaugh criminal saga.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S2E40: Jury Tampering? Retrial? Bombshell new allegations in Murdaugh murder case Sep 07, 2023

Alex Murdaugh's lawyers are demanding a retrial after several jurors who convicted their client of murdering his wife and son have suddenly come forward to accuse Colleton County Clerk of Court Rebecca ("Becky") Hill of impropriety. Attorneys Jim Griffin and Dick Harpootlian say the testimony of these jurors point to potential misconduct in office by Hill, alleging she attempted to influence jurors against Alex Murdaugh and deprived him of a fair trial.

Host Anne Emerson, legal analyst Charlie Condon and producer Drew Tripp break down the accusations and potential ramifications in an all-new episode.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S2E39: Murdaugh Prosecutors Speak In Detail About Trial Mar 30, 2023

Creighton Waters, Savanna Goude, John Meadors and David Fernandez joined S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson to share insights with the Unsolved South Carolina team from their experiences in the Alex Murdaugh double murder trial. Podcast host Anne Emerson is joined by legal analyst Charlie Condon, producer Drew Tripp and reporter Tara Jabour to share highlights of this exclusive and intimate interview with the faces of the State's Murdaugh prosecution team.

Please be sure to check out Finding Brittanee Drexel, another podcast series from the Unsolved South Carolina team!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S2E38: Stephen Smith Case Discussion Mar 22, 2023

If you've listened to this podcast and followed the Murdaugh saga, then you likely know the names Tommy Moore and Sandy Smith. ABC News 4 and the Unsolved South Carolina team were privileged to have them accept a joint invitation for an interview last week, and we're sharing highlights of that interview here.

READ: Attorney: SLED investigating Stephen Smith's death as a homicide

FROM THE ARCHIVES: The Death of Stephen Smith, Part 1 | The Death of Stephen Smith, Part 2

Sandy is the mother of Stephen Smith, a 19-year-old young man found dead in the middle of a dark country road in Hampton County in July 2015. Stephen was in college studying nursing when he died. He also happened to be an openly gay man in the conservative, rural South. How Stephen died remains a mystery. Sandy has long suspected he may have been the victim of a hate crime, while the Hampton rumor mill churned with the name "Murdaugh" for years.

Meanwhile Tommy Moore is one of the dozens of people to have fallen victim to notorious attorney-turned-thief and convicted murderer Alex Murdaugh. We were the first to share Moore's story with the public in January 2022 after an avalanche of fraud and money laundering charges came pouring down on Murdaugh. The connection between Moore and Sandy Smith and the Murdaughs comes full circle in a bizarre way. Moore recently divulged he helped lead Highway Patrol's investigation into Stephen's 2015 death.

READ: Sandy Smith & Tommy Moore agree Stephen Smith didn't die in a hit-and-run

Moore and his Highway Patrol colleagues insisted Stephen's death was not related to an automobile hit-and-run based on evidence available at the time; rather, they felt it appeared Smith's body had been dumped in the roadway after being killed elsewhere. However, other law enforcement agencies, death investigators and medical officials seemed disinterested in pursuing a homicide probe into Stephen's death.

The case went cold, but Sandy's fight to bring justice and closure for her son never waned. Then, the case gained national attention as part of the broader Murdaugh criminal saga in the summer of 2021. But how are the Murdaugh's connected? Initially, several witnesses interviewed by Highway Patrol back in 2015 and 2016 told Troopers someone in the Murdaugh family was connected to Stephen and may have knowledge of his death. But attempts to track down those rumors led nowhere. It's an allegation never proven, and one which Buster Murdaugh vehemently denies.

READ: New details in 2015 Stephen Smith death investigation

Little else was heard about Stephen's case until the summer of 2021 when SLED announced out of the blue it was opening a new investigation into Stephen's death based on evidence and information gathered while concurrently investigating the June 2021 murders of Maggie and Paul Murdaugh. And as of March 21, 2023, SLED confirms to the Smith family's lawyers that they're officially considering Stephen's case a homicide investigation. That's welcome news to both Sandy Smith and Tommy Moore.

Listen along as reporters Anne Emerson and Tara Jabour join former S.C. Attorney General Charlie Condon and retired S.C. Highway Patrol Lt. "Trooper Bob" Beres to share highlights of the interview with Sandy and Tommy, and offer insight into the story.

READ: Independent autopsy to be performed on Stephen Smith

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S2E37: Detectives Speak Candidly About Murdaugh Case Mar 16, 2023

Colleton County Sheriff's Detectives Laura Rutland, Daniel Greene and Jason Chapman were among the first on the scene the night of June 7, 2021, after Alex Murdaugh murdered his wife, Maggie, and son, Paul. And while it was almost unthinkable in the first few hours after the killings, these detectives said they picked up right away on things that weren't adding up -- primarily focusing on Murdaugh's demeanor, emotions and body language. Plus, the detectives respond to rampant criticism of investigators throughout the trial, saying some of the complaints against them were far from fair or reasonable. Join hosts Anne Emerson, Charlie Condon and Drew Tripp as they discuss the new details learned from this exclusive interview.

Want to hear more from the Colleton County investigators? Check out the links below to the stories Anne Emerson and Tara Jabour have published on the topic.

EXCLUSIVE: First CCSO responders to Murdaugh murders talk about the case and trial | WCIV (abcnews4.com)

CCSO investigators respond to criticisms by defense in Murdaugh trial | WCIV (abcnews4.com)

CCSO deputies dig deeper into Murdaugh's motives for killing wife and son | WCIV (abcnews4.com)

You can catch up on all of our Murdaugh coverage, old and new, by visiting the special Murdaugh Murders section on the ABC News 4 website. Charleston Murdaugh Murders | News, Weather, Sports, Breaking News | WCIV (abcnews4.com)

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S2E36: Q&A: Murdaugh Trial Lingering Questions Mar 08, 2023

Murdaugh murder trial recap and Q&A with Unsolved South Carolina podcast hosts Anne Emerson, Charlie Condon and Drew Tripp .

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S2E35: Murdaugh Gets 2 Life Sentences Mar 03, 2023

Judge Newman offers stunning rebuke of Alex Murdaugh as he gives him two life sentences for the murders of Maggie & Paul. Anne Emerson, Charlie Condon & Drew Tripp recap a stunning final day of the #MurdaughTrial.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S2E34: GUILTY: Alex Murdaugh found guilty of murdering wife, son Mar 03, 2023

After less than three hours of deliberations, a jury found Alex Murdaugh guilty on all counts Thursday evening for the June 7, 2021 murders of his wife, Maggie, and youngest son, Paul, in a trial that spanned more than five weeks and drew attention from across the nation to rural Colleton County, South Carolina. Murdaugh was found guilty on two counts of murder and two counts of possession of a deadly weapon during the commission of a violent crime. He will be sentenced Friday morning, March 3, by Judge Clifton Newman.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S2E33: Murdaugh Trial Recap, March 1 Mar 02, 2023

The State ties the loose threads in its closing arguments against Alex Murdaugh as his double murder trial nears a conclusion. Prosecutors implored the jury not to let Murdaugh fool them the way he fooled so many others. Did the message land? Join Anne Emerson, Charlie Condon & Drew Tripp for a full breakdown. #MurdaughTrial

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S2E32: Murdaugh Trial Daily Recap, Feb. 28 Mar 01, 2023

The State's forensic expert Ken Kinsey headlines a powerful final day of testimony in the Alex Murdaugh murder trial, picking apart the Defense expert's claims about alternative shooting theories. Plus, forensic pathologist Dr. Ellen Riemer stands up to Dick Harpootlian's onslaught of questions criticizing her autopsy. Also in this episode, Murdaugh's former law partner Ronnie Crosby defends his integrity in a heated exchange with Harpootlian, and a forensic cell phone expert spends his weekend doing somewhat less than scientific research into throwing cell phones, and all the hog hunting content you ever (never?) wanted. Anne Emerson, Charlie Condon & Drew Tripp break down the highlights and look ahead to what's next as trial nears its end. #MurdaughTrial

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S2E31: Murdaugh Trial Daily Recap, Feb. 27 Feb 28, 2023

Alex Murdaugh's Defense team uses expert witnesses to question autopsy findings in the Murdaugh murders, while also using a forensic expert's testimony to advance a two-shooter theory. Plus, Alex's brother John Marvin Murdaugh offers emotional testimony about his relationship with Paul Murdaugh. Anne Emerson, Charlie Condon and Drew Tripp review the highlights. #MurdaughTrial

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S2E30: Murdaugh Trial Recap, Feb. 24 Feb 25, 2023

Prosecutors zero in on the holes and contradictions in Alex Murdaugh's alibi in a high-pressure day of testimony. Anne Emerson,

Charlie Condon & Drew Tripp cover the major moments in depth.

#MurdaughTrial

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S2E29: Murdaugh Trial Recap, Feb. 23 Feb 24, 2023

Alex Murdaugh takes the witness stand in his double murder trial. Anne, Charlie and Drew break down the highlights of the testimony, contradictory statements by Alex, and the effectiveness of the State's cross examination from a blockbuster day in court.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S2E28: Murdaugh Trial Recap, Feb. 22 Feb 23, 2023

Alex Murdaugh's defense lawyers went all-in today on their strategy of putting the State's murder investigation under a microscope of intense scrutiny. But the testimony of one key witness, Murdaugh's former law partner and friend Mark Ball, may have backfired on the defense. Other topics: Did the Defense score any points with their forensic experts; Will Alex Murdaugh testify? What does he have to lose if he does?

Join Anne Emerson, Charlie Condon and Drew Tripp as they go through an eventful day.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S2E27: Murdaugh Trial Recap, Feb. 21 Feb 22, 2023

Attorney Jim Griffin gets his wrist slapped by Judge Newman, Buster Murdaugh takes the stand in defense of his Dad, and the defense calls an expert witness who tries to show Alex Murdaugh couldn't have been the gunman. Do you buy the theory the shooter could've been 5'2" as the defense suggests? Anne, Charlie and Drew go through the highlights from another interesting day in the Murdaugh double murder trial.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S2E26: Murdaugh Trial Recap Feb. 17 Feb 18, 2023

The State rests its case with their final timeline of evidence for the night of June 7, 2021. Anne Emerson, Charlie Condon and Drew Tripp share the highlights.

Please be sure to also check out our other Unsolved South Carolina podcast project, Finding Brittanee Drexel. https://art19.com/shows/brittanee-drexel-unsolved-south-carolina

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S2E25: Murdaugh Trial Recap, Feb. 16 Feb 17, 2023

Eddie Smith and the roadside shooting take center stage in the Murdaugh murder trial. Join Anne, Charlie and Drew to break down another revealing day of testimony and answer your questions.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S2E24: Murdaugh Trial Recap, Feb. 15 Feb 16, 2023

Damning alibi inconsistencies were spotlighted and glaring loose ends were tied in a key day of testimony for the prosecution in the murder trial for Alex Murdaugh. However, Murdaugh's defense team fired back with stunning blows against the state's investigation, pointing out numerous missed opportunities, misssteps and outright failures that could've either convicted Murdaugh or exonerated him straightaway.

Meantime, the State and Defense continue flirting with the idea of Murdaugh associate Curtis Edward Smith testifying. Only 36 hours ago, it seemed increasingly unlikely. By late morning Wednesday, it was all but guaranteed not to happen, with Judge Newman ordering nobody and nothing from the Labor Day 2021 weekend roadside shooting will be admitted. But by the end of the day, the crazy train had come full circle, with the Defense kicking down the door to "Cousin Eddie" and hinting at a wild new theory of what really happened to Maggie and Paul.

Join Anne, Charlie and Drew as they try to make sense of a bizarre, sometimes flabbergasting day of court in the Murdaugh murder trial.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S2E23: Murdaugh Trial Recap, Feb. 14 Feb 15, 2023

Maggie Murdaugh's sister Marian Proctor offers eye-opening testimony into Alex Murdaugh's state of mind after the murders and background on his history of drug abuse as the State continues pushing its theory of motive. Plus, more insight into Alex's finances, enlightening testimony from the caretaker for the dogs, and the latest on what's happening with Eddie Smith. Join Anne Emerson, Charlie Condon and Drew Tripp for the analysis and recap.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S2E22: Murdaugh Trial Daily Recap, Feb. 13 Feb 14, 2023

Graphic autopsy photos, DNA samples, blood testing, COVID-19, vehicle location data and more dominate a day filled with new revelations in the Alex Murdaugh murder trial. Join Charlie Condon, Anne Emerson and Drew Tripp to break it all down.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S2E21: Murdaugh Trial Recap, Feb. 10 Feb 11, 2023

An astounding day of testimony from Murdaugh's former housekeeper blows up the defense's insistence there was no strife in the Murdaugh household related to the boat crash and finances in the days ahead of the murders. Plus, a longtime friend of Paul Murdaugh who worked at his father's law firm offers a look at some questionable things happening involving Alex Murdaugh in the months before the killings.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S2E20: Murdaugh Trial Recap, Feb. 9 Feb 10, 2023

In this episode, Murdaugh's best friend gives an intimate look at person he thought he knew: a devoted father and loving husband who always put his family first. Was Chris Wilson deceived by a master manipulator and ruthless criminal as the State suggests? Or has the Defense now derailed the prosecution's attempt to portray Murdaugh as a stone-cold killer?

Anne, Charlie and Drew talk about this and much more.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S2E19: Murdaugh Trial Recap, Feb. 8 Feb 09, 2023

Alex Murdaugh's former paralegal offers more insight into who Alex was and the scope of his financial crimes. Plus, the state begins looking into the driving and phone data from Alex's SUV on the night of the murders. Oh, and there was a bomb threat, no big deal (pardon the sarcasm). Anne, Charlie and Drew have the breakdown.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S2E18: Murdaugh Trial Recap, Feb. 7 Feb 08, 2023

"Because Alex stole it."

"He's a bulls**t artist."

"No the f**k we are not!"

Those are just a few of the eyebrow-raising lines of testimony from Tuesday's proceedings in the Alex Murdaugh murder trial. How will the candor of Alex's former co-workers about his financial crimes impact the minds of the jury? Plus, the state finally gets to introduce the testimony about gunshot residue particles found all over a blue raincoat stuffed into a closet at Murdaugh's mother's house. Will it prove to be a foundational piece of the state's circumstantial evidence case?

Join Anne Emerson, Charlie Condon and Drew Tripp to break it all down.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S2E17: Murdaugh Trial Recap, Feb. 6 Feb 07, 2023

Anne Emerson, Charlie Condon and Drew Tripp discuss a significant day of developments in the murder trial for Alex Murdaugh. Judge Clifton Newman has ruled State prosecutors are allowed to bring details of Murdaugh's other crimes and financial calamity into evidence? Has the state made tougher its job of trying to prove its jaw-dropping theory of motive, or has it unlocked the secret to securing a conviction. Plus, a longtime caretaker for Murdaugh's elderly mother shares details of interactions with Murdaugh the night of the murders and in the days after that are sure to cast further suspicion on Murdaugh as the culprit.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S2E16: Murdaugh Murder Trial Recap, Feb. 3 Feb 04, 2023

Anne Emerson, former S.C, Attorney General Charlie Condon and producer Drew Tripp analyze the latest developments in the Alex Murdaugh murder trial. Powerful testimony about the extent of Murdaugh's financial crimes take center stage without the jury present. Will they get to hear it? What they did hear today is a firearms expert's testimony definitively tying the weapon used to kill Maggie Murdaugh to the property, It's another loose thread tied together as the prosecution builds its case on circumstantial evidence. Plus, we look back at the most important moment of the week, and we share some exclusive insider news about the defense's strategy and planning.

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts

Subscribe on Spotify

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S2E15: Murdaugh Trial Recap - February 2 Feb 03, 2023

How much of Alex Murdaugh's history of financial crimes and deceit will be admitted into testimony for state prosecutors? It's crucial to their argument for discovery of those crimes being the driving force behind Murdaugh allegedly murdering his own wife and son. But the Defense continues to punch back on what they call illogical conclusions reached by the State, trying to show Murdaugh making the leap from theft to homicide without much evidence.

In this episode, legal analyst Charlie Condon gives terrific insight into what's going on with this trial within a trial. Plus, emotional sound from Murdaugh's longtime friend Chris Wilson, and strong testimony from the chief financial officer of Murdaugh's former law firm about his years of thefts.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S2E14: Murdaugh Trial Recap, Feb. 1 Feb 02, 2023

Video from Paul Murdaugh's phone has finally been released, and it appears to have blown his father's alibi apart. Plus, emotional testimony from two of Paul's best friends, introduction of facts about Alex Murdaugh's financial crimes, more insight on what cell phone data shows from the day and night of the murders, Alex's deleted call log, and much more. And we don't even get into the Snapchat video on this one! Anne, Charlie and Drew break it all down.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S2E13: Murdaugh Trial Recap, Jan. 31 Feb 01, 2023

A definitive timeline of Maggie Murdaugh's final moments and movements takes shape thanks to her cell phone data from the night of June 7, 2021. What will it mean for Alex Murdaugh's alibi and will it conflict with his statements to investigators? Anne, Charlie and Drew discuss a methodical but revealing day in court. Plus, the final word (maybe?) on "They" vs. "I," and did investigators really fail to visit Alex's mother's house for 4 months?

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S2E11: Murdaugh Trial Recap, Day 6 Jan 31, 2023

A whirlwind day in the Alex Murdaugh murder trial sees Murdaugh potentially poking massive holes in his own alibi through contradictions in a second law enforcement interview recorded only days after the murders. Whatever happened to those other .300 Blackout rifles? Then a potentially high-stakes "Yanny or Laurel?" moment with dire consequences. Did Alex say "I" or "They?" Plus, the defense takes the state's expert witness on forensic evidence to task for apparent mishandling of the crime scene. Finally, what's the deal with that Gucci receipt?

Join Anne, Charlie and Drew for a breakdown of what may be the wildest day of the Murdaugh murder trial so far.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S2E10: Murdaugh Trial Recap, Day 5 Jan 28, 2023

Anne, Drew and Charlie break down the surprising testimony and evidence from Day 5 of Alex Murdaugh's murder trial.

Questions raised during Friday's session: If Alex got close to Maggie and Paul's bodies, touched them and checked them for pulses, why didn't he appear to the naked eye to have at least small blood stains on his skin or clothing? If he did kill them in the intimate and gruesome way the State suggests, why wasn't he instead covered in their blood? If not Alex, who possibly could've killed Paul and Maggie? And why? Were tests run on his clothes and vehicles and possessions for blood? What did the initial tests show? Why was Alex's personal attorney at the scene so quickly?

Lots to unpack from a rollercoaster day in court!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S2E8: Murdaugh Trial Recap Day 4 Jan 27, 2023

*CONTENT WARNING: Discussion of some gruesome crime scene details.*

Host Anne Emerson and Executive Producer Drew Tripp are joined by former South Carolina Attorney General Charlie Condon to discuss the first day of witness testimony and new evidence presented in the murder trial of Alex Murdaugh.

This episode features discussion of newly released portions of the 911 call Alex made the night of the murders, plus insight from police body camera recordings, the horrific extent of Maggie and Paul Murdaugh's injuries, a conspicuous puddle of water, bloody shoe prints, a missing truck, suspicious tire marks, unsoiled hands and clothes, a dead chicken and more.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S2E7: Murdaugh Trial Day 3 Recap Jan 26, 2023

Did Alex Murdaugh murder his own wife and son? Will a jury buy State prosecutors' case against him? We've now begun down the path toward answers, as an interestingly structured jury has been sworn, and powerful, emotional opening statements have been heard in this spectacle of a court case.

Host Anne Emerson breaks down the highlights of jury selection and opening statements with legal analyst Charlie Condon and executive producer Drew Tripp,

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S2E6: Murdaugh Trial Day 2 Recap Jan 25, 2023

Anne Emerson is joined by fmr. Atty. General Charlie Condon and producer Drew Tripp for analysis of Day 2 of the Alex Murdaugh murder trial.

The day saw the last of the preliminary jury panels whittled down before final jury selection. Plus, the defense and prosecution go to battle over several pre-trial motions regarding financial crimes, motives, murder weapons and more.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S2E5: Murdaugh Trial Day 1 Recap Jan 24, 2023

Trial has begun for Alex Murdaugh, the disgraced former South Carolina attorney accused of killing his wife and son.

In this episode, host Anne Emerson and producer Drew Tripp are joined by former S.C. Attorney General Charlie Condon for analysis and discussion of the first day of trial, which featured three rounds of jury selection and the revelation of a massive potential witness list.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S E1: New Podcast! "Finding Brittanee Drexel" Dec 07, 2022

We're pleased to announce a new podcast in our Unsolved South Carolina series: Finding Brittanee Drexel. Follow this link to subscribe and listen to the preview trailer! The first episode debuts December 14!

MORE INFO: Finding Brittanee Drexel podcast shares exclusive new details on kidnapping & murder case

(Don't worry Murdaugh listeners, the series isn't going away. We have new episodes planned for 2023 with the murder trial on the horizon. Stay tuned!)

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S1E17: Let the Legal Theatrics Begin Sep 23, 2022

Alex Murdaugh was indicted in July 2022 on charges of murdering his wife, Maggie, and son, Paul. It didn't take long before the legal theatrics of Murdaugh's defense attorneys and the state's prosecutors were on full display.

What began amicably with defense attorney Dick Harpootlian seemingly on the same page as head prosecutor Creighton Waters, soon turned contentious and devolved into mudslinging. Harpootlian accused the state of ignoring its obligations to share evidence discovery, and even accused state prosecutors of leaking evidence to certain members of the media.

Catch up on all the drama on this latest episode of the Unsolved South Carolina: The Murdaugh Murders, Money & Mystery.

Please consider also listening to Missing Erica Baker, a true crime and unsolved mystery podcast by our affiliate in Dayton, Ohio.

Read more about the Murdaugh case: ABCNews4.com/Murdaugh

~~~~~~~~~~

Unsolved South Carolina is a production of ABC News 4 in Charleston, South Carolina.

Please consider leaving a review and a 5-star rating if you enjoy the podcast. It greatly helps spread the show to other listeners.

Follow the show on social media at @UnsolvedSCPod. That's the name to find us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

~~~~~~~~~~

CREDITS:

Anne Emerson - Host, Writer, Producer, Creator

Drew Tripp - Executive Producer, Contributing Writer, Co-Creator

Daniel Michener - Producer, Editor, Co-Creator

Maxwell Harrison - Original Music

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S1E16: BREAKING: Alex Murdaugh to be charged in murders of wife & son Jul 13, 2022

After 400 days, state police in South Carolina are finally close to charging a suspect in connection to the June 2021 murders of Maggie and Paul Murdaugh. Thr Murdaugh family confirmed Tuesday, July 12, the suspect who will face charges is none other than Alex Murdaugh — Maggie's husband and Paul's father.

Alex's brother, John Marvin Murdaugh, confirmed to podcast host Anne Emerson Tuesday South Carolina state police agents met with the Murdaugh family to inform them of criminal charges forthcoming against Alex related to Maggie and Paul's deaths.

To be clear, charges haven't been formally brought against Alex just yet, and it's unclear specifically what he will be charged with. But the charges are imminent, according to Alex's own brother.

Hear more in this episode on what the family knows and their reactions as these latest developments unfold.

Read more about the Murdaugh case: ABCNews4.com/Murdaugh

~~~~~~~~~~

Unsolved South Carolina is a production of ABC News 4 in Charleston, South Carolina.

Please consider leaving a review and a 5-star rating if you enjoy the podcast. It greatly helps spread the show to other listeners.

Follow the show on social media at @UnsolvedSCPod. That's the name to find us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

~~~~~~~~~~

CREDITS:

Anne Emerson - Host, Writer, Producer

Drew Tripp - Executive Producer

Daniel Michener - Audio Engineer

Maxwell Harrison - Original Music

Douglas Stewart - Graphic Design

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S1E15: Justice delayed? Murdaugh murders one year later Jun 07, 2022

One year since Maggie & Paul Murdaugh were murdered, we look back on bizarre events and jaw-dropping revelations that have only served to underscore the original mystery: Who killed Maggie & Paul Murdaugh? And why?

In this episode, show host & writer Anne Emerson is joined by producer Drew Tripp to answer questions about the Murdaugh case from WCIV-TV anchor Katy Solt. Topics include if Maggie and Paul's killer will be brought to justice, why haven't police charged a suspect with their murders, what the evidence suggested early in the investigation, plus what's going on with Alex Murdaugh and his several co-conspirators outed in a string of fraud, embezzlement and money laundering discovered tangential to the murder case.

Read more about the Murdaugh case: ABCNews4.com/Murdaugh

~~~~~~~~~~

Unsolved South Carolina is a production of ABC News 4 in Charleston, South Carolina.

Please consider leaving a review and a 5-star rating if you enjoy the podcast. It greatly helps spread the show to other listeners.

Follow the show on social media at @UnsolvedSCPod. That's the name to find us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

~~~~~~~~~~

CREDITS:

Anne Emerson - Host, Writer, Producer

Drew Tripp - Executive Producer, Guest Host

Katy Solt - Guest Host

Daniel Michener - Producer, Audio Engineer

Maxwell Harrison - Original Music

KJ Morrison - Original Music

Douglas Stewart - Graphic Design

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S1E14: To Catch A Thief May 26, 2022

The scope and scheme of Alex Murdaugh's alleged multi-million dollar fraud becomes clearer with each new criminal charge against him.

It now appears Murdaugh didn't work alone, being helped for years by two accomplices: longtime friend and fellow lawyer Cory Fleming, along with business associate and Hampton banker Russell Laffitte.

A question top of mind to many who've followed the Murdaugh case is why these men — ostensibly wealthy already — would resort to the level of thievery and deceit they're accused of by the state grand jury.

For answers, we went to private investigator Frank Worrell, a forensic accountant who worked in the past for the U.S. Treasury and FBI investigating crimes in the financial sector.

Worrell's resume includes crimes involving securities trading and various financial fraud cases — including the Ponzi scheme by notorious South Carolina con-man Al Parish.

Read more about the Murdaugh case: ABCNews4.com/Murdaugh

~~~~~~~~~~

Unsolved South Carolina is a production of ABC News 4 in Charleston, South Carolina.

Please consider leaving a review and a 5-star rating if you enjoy the podcast. It greatly helps spread the show to other listeners.

Follow the show on social media at @UnsolvedSCPod. That's the name to find us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

~~~~~~~~~~

CREDITS:

Anne Emerson - Host, Writer, Producer

Drew Tripp - Executive Producer

Daniel Michener - Producer, Engineer

Maxwell Harrison - Original Music

KJ Morrison - Original Music

Douglas Stewart - Graphic Design

Joe Thomas - Voiceover Contributor

Patrick Emerson - Voiceover Contributor

~~~~~~~~~~

MUSIC COURTESY:

"End Of The Night"

Composer: Andy Prosser (PRS); Mark Allaway (PRS)

Publisher: Reliable Source Music Limited (PRS)

ISRC: GBBWT1508681

"Hitchcock"

Composer: Phraze (BMI), Todd Andrew (BMI)

Publisher: Randy Berg Music (BMI)

ISRC: QM-2ZU-16-65514

"Brainworks"

Composer: Jakob Balogh (GEMA)

Publisher: Edition Elbroar (GEMA)

ISRC: DEMS42203783

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S1E13: Private Eyes & Public Mudslinging Apr 14, 2022

Season 2 of Unsolved South Carolina's Murdaugh Murders, Money & Mystery podcast begins with an exclusive interview of a private investigator whose identity was revealed just weeks ago in bombshell new revelations tied to the ongoing Murdaugh saga.

Sarah Capelli is a private detective who's been ordered by a judge to turn over records detailing her work following Paul Murdaugh and his friends in the months before Paul and his mother, Maggie, were murdered.

Those records include undercover videos and GPS tracking data Capelli gathered in her surveillance of Paul.

Capelli says she's happy to turn over everything, and is adamant all her work was on the up-and-up and above reproach from an ethics standpoint.

But that's contrary to the allegations of Mark Tinsley, the attorney for the family of Mallory Beach.

Tinsley and the Beach family have sued convenience store franchise magnate Greg Parker over what Tinsley describes as a ruthless, intentional mudslinging campaign carried out in the public eye.

That lawsuit has come to head with Parker's attorneys battling Tinsley tooth-and-nail over documents and records he's subpoenaed such as those of Capelli, which Tinsley feels may prove his accusations against Parker.

In the meantime, state police investigators have sought Capelli's videos and evidence in pursuit of a clue that might help them answer the burning question 10 months in the making: Who killed Maggie and Paul Murdaugh?

Read more about the Murdaugh case: ABCNews4.com/Murdaugh

~~~~~~~~~~

Unsolved South Carolina is a production of ABC News 4 in Charleston, South Carolina.

Please consider leaving a review and a 5-star rating if you enjoy the podcast. It greatly helps spread the show to other listeners.

Follow the show on social media at @UnsolvedSCPod. That's the name to find us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

~~~~~~~~~~

CREDITS:

Anne Emerson - Host, Writer, Producer

Drew Tripp - Executive Producer

Daniel Michener - Producer, Engineer

Maxwell Harrison - Music

KJ Morrison - Music

Douglas Stewart - Graphic Design

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S1E12: How Alex Murdaugh Stole Millions of Dollars | The Murdaugh Murders, Money & Mystery | Unsolved South Carolina Apr 14, 2022

(Originally published January 27, 2022)

We take a close look at the 70+ state grand jury charges against Alex Murdaugh related to alleged fraud and money laundering schemes the attorney used against his own clients.

A barrage of criminal indictments since November 2021 say Alex Murdaugh allegedly stole nearly $9 million from more than a dozen victims over the course of 11 years.

In this episode, one of those reported victims — S.C. Highway Patrol Lt. Tommy Moore — tells how Alex Murdaugh lied and stole from him with a smile on his face, as the trooper dealt with debilitating injuries.

Despite all the claims of stolen money — in many cases, from deceased victims' families — Murdaugh's representatives now say the disgraced attorney has no money left. It all begs the question: what happened to those missing millions?

Read more about the Murdaugh case: ABCNews4.com/Murdaugh

~~~~~~~~~~

Unsolved South Carolina is a production of ABC News 4 in Charleston, South Carolina.

Please consider leaving a review and a 5-star rating if you enjoy the podcast. It greatly helps spread the show to other listeners.

Follow the show on social media at @UnsolvedSCPod. That's the name to find us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

~~~~~~~~~~

CREDITS:

Anne Emerson - Host, Writer, Producer

Drew Tripp - Executive Producer, Social Media, Graphic Design

Daniel Michener - Producer, Audio Engineer

Maxwell Harrison - Music

KJ Morrison - Music

Douglas Stewart - Graphic Design

Bill Burr - Voiceover Contributor

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S1E11: Murdaugh 20/20 Special with ABC's Eva Pilgrim | Bonus Episode Apr 14, 2022

(Originally published January 15, 2021)

Eva Pilgrim is a Good Morning America anchor and news correspondent for ABC News. She is a South Carolina native and University of South Carolina alumna whose journalism career spans nearly 20 years.

In this episode, Eva speaks with Unsolved South Carolina host Anne Emerson about the ongoing Murdaugh saga on the heel's of Pilgrim hosting ABC's special 20/20 feature on the case, which aired Friday, January 14.

Read more on the Murdaugh saga: https://abcnews4.com/murdaugh

~~~~~~~~~~

Unsolved South Carolina is a production of WCIV-TV ABC News 4 in Charleston, South Carolina.

Please consider leaving a review and a 5-star rating if you enjoy the podcast. It greatly helps spread the show to other listeners.

Follow the show on social media at @UnsolvedSCPod. That's the name to find us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

~~~~~~~~~~

CREDITS:

Anne Emerson - Host, Writer, Producer

Drew Tripp - Executive Producer, Social Media, Graphic Design

Daniel Michener - Producer, Audio Engineer

Maxwell Harrison - Music, Voiceover Guest

KJ Morrison - Music Contributor

Douglas Stewart - Graphic Design

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S1E10: Justice for Mallory, Accountability for the Murdaughs | The Murdaugh Murders, Money & Mystery | Unsolved South Carolina Apr 14, 2022

(Originally published January 13, 2022)

*WARNING: This episode contains strong, uncensored adult language.*

The family of Mallory Beach has spent years searching — first quite literally searching the Lowcountry rivers and marshes for their daughter's body after the infamous crash on Alex Murdaugh's boat. Agonizing years have passed as the Beach family continues searching for justice and accountability from those responsible for Mallory's death.

Read more on the Murdaugh saga: https://abcnews4.com/murdaugh

~~~~~~~~~~

Unsolved South Carolina is a production of ABC News 4 in Charleston, South Carolina.

Please consider leaving a review and a 5-star rating if you enjoy the podcast. It greatly helps spread the show to other listeners.

Follow the show on social media at @UnsolvedSCPod. That's the name to find us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

~~~~~~~~~~

CREDITS:

Anne Emerson - Host, Writer, Producer

Drew Tripp - Executive Producer

Daniel Michener - Producer, Engineer

Maxwell Harrison - Music, Voiceover Guest

KJ Morrison - Music Contributor

Douglas Stewart - Graphic Design

Amy Russo - Voiceover Guest

Eli Brand - Voiceover Guest

Matt Dreyer - Voiceover Guest

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S1E9: Who Was Driving The Boat? | The Murdaugh Murders, Money & Mystery | Unsolved South Carolina Apr 14, 2022

(Originally published December 16, 2021)

*WARNING: This episode contains strong, uncensored adult language.*

It's now past 2 a.m. on a foggy February morning in the coastal waters Paul Murdaugh's boat has just crashed into a bridge at a high rate of speed along Archers Creek, near the Marine Corps training base on Parris Island.

Paul, Anthony Cook and Mallory Beach have been thrown into the cold, dark water. Mallory is missing. Morgan Doughty and Connor Cook have serious injuries. Miley Altman is trying to make sense of the turmoil around her. Everyone is frantic, except seemingly Paul, whose father's boat is a wreck and whose friends are in the throes of chaos.

Precious minutes pass like hours, as 911 dispatchers and first responders struggle to pin down exactly what is going on, and where these kids are.

Help eventually arrives, and first responders find a traumatic scene. Miley, Morgan and Connor are confused, hurt and in shock. Paul is in his underwear, pleading to borrow a phone. Anthony is seething with anger, directed at Paul.

As the teens finally begin arriving at the hospital, so do Paul's father, Alex, and grandfather, Randolph. The attorneys try to gain access to the teens in their hospital beds, and witnesses say they're telling the friends what to say.

The powerful, well-known attorneys' presence serves as a roadblock in the early stages of law enforcement's investigation. What really happened? And who was driving the boat?

Read more on the Murdaugh saga: https://abcnews4.com/murdaugh

~~~~~~~~~~

Unsolved South Carolina is a production of ABC News 4 in Charleston, South Carolina.

Please consider leaving a review and a 5-star rating if you enjoy the podcast. It greatly helps spread the show to other listeners.

Follow the show on social media at @UnsolvedSCPod. That's the name to find us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

~~~~~~~~~~

CREDITS:

Anne Emerson - Host, Writer, Producer

Drew Tripp - Executive Producer, Social Media, Graphic Design

Daniel Michener - Producer, Audio Engineer

Maxwell Harrison, KJ Morrison - Music

Douglas Stewart - Graphic Design

Amy Russo - Voiceover Guest

Christian Galvano - Voiceover Guest

Eli Brand - Voiceover Guest

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S1E8: Boat Crash & Death of Mallory Beach | The Murdaugh Murders, Money & Mystery | Unsolved South Carolina Apr 14, 2022

(Originally published December 9, 2021)

This is the story of what happened leading up to a fatal 2019 boat crash that claimed the life of Mallory Beach, and introduced many across South Carolina to the Murdaugh family through then 19-year-old Paul Murdaugh.

Paul was reportedly driving a group of friends around on his father's boat amid a night of underage drinking at parties and bars.

The friends' night of fun begins to devolve into chaos as more alcohol is consumed and an infamous alter-ego appears, eventually ending in horror as the boat crashes into a bridge.

Read more on the Murdaugh saga: https://abcnews4.com/murdaugh

~~~~~~~~~~

Unsolved South Carolina is a production of ABC News 4 in Charleston, South Carolina.

Please consider leaving a review and a 5-star rating if you enjoy the podcast. It greatly helps spread the show to other listeners.

Follow the show on social media at @UnsolvedSCPod. That's the name to find us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

~~~~~~~~~~

CREDITS:

Anne Emerson - Host, Writer, Producer

Drew Tripp - Executive Producer

Daniel Michener - Engineer, Producer

Maxwell Harrison, KJ Morrison - Music

Douglas Stewart - Graphic Design

Amy Russo - Voiceover Guest

Caroline Balchunas - Voiceover Guest

Christian Galvano - Voiceover Guest

Eli Brand - Voiceover Guest

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S1E7: Gloria Satterfield & Missing Millions | The Murdaugh Murders, Money & Mystery | Unsolved South Carolina Apr 14, 2022

(Originally published November 24, 2021)

This is the story of Gloria Satterfield. She died after a fall at the Murdaugh's family home on Groundhog Day, 2018. Since then, her family has lived an unending winter of abuse and manipulation that lawsuits and criminal indictments say were part of cold, calculated scheme by Alex Murdaugh.

Authorities accuse Alex Murdaugh of stealing over $3 million in settlement money intended for Gloria's family, first beguiling his former housekeeper's sons into a sketchy agreement to sue him, then using his connections in the Hampton community and legal profession to keep them in the dark while he siphoned away money that wasn't his.

Meanwhile, state prosecutors now say Gloria's case has revealed similar criminal affronts to many other victims, kept hidden in the immense shadow of influence cast by Alex Murdaugh's prominent, powerful family. In all, police claim Murdaugh stole nearly $5 million over the course of 7 years.

More on the Murdaugh saga: https://abcnews4.com/murdaugh

~~~~~~~~~~

Unsolved South Carolina is a production of ABC News 4 in Charleston, South Carolina.

Anne Emerson - Host, Producer

Drew Tripp - Executive Producer, Social Media, Graphic Design

Daniel Michener - Producer, Audio Engineer

Maxwell Harrison, KJ Morrison - Music

Douglas Stewart - Graphic Design

Please consider leaving a review and a 5-star rating if you enjoy the podcast. It greatly helps spread the show to other listeners.

Follow the show on social media at @UnsolvedSCPod. That's the name to find us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S1E6: Where Things Stand Right Now (Reporters' Roundtable) | The Murdaugh Murders, Money & Mystery | Unsolved South Carolina Nov 18, 2021

Host Anne Emerson and producer Drew Tripp are joined by WCIV reporters Natalie Spala and Tara Jabour to discuss the latest developments in the Murdaugh saga: Where we are, how we got here, and where it's all going.

More on the Murdaugh saga: https://abcnews4.com/murdaugh

~~~~~~~~~~

Unsolved South Carolina is a production of ABC News 4 in Charleston, South Carolina.

Anne Emerson - Host, Producer

Drew Tripp - Executive Producer, Social Media, Graphic Design

Daniel Michener - Producer, Audio Engineer

Maxwell Harrison, KJ Morrison - Music

Douglas Stewart - Graphic Design

Please consider leaving a review and a 5-star rating if you enjoy the podcast. It greatly helps spread the show to other listeners.

Follow the show on social media at @UnsolvedSCPod. That's the name to find us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S1E5: The Death of Stephen Smith, Part 2 | The Murdaugh Murders, Money & Mystery | Unsolved South Carolina Nov 11, 2021

In part two of our look into the unsolved death of Stephen Smith, we drill into the persistent rumors of the Murdaughs being somehow involved.

Questions we attempt to answer this week include:

How did the Murdaugh name get brought into Stephen Smith's death investigation?
How far did law enforcement go down that rumor trail after Stephen's death?
What brought investigators back to that angle of the case six years after Stephen died?

Investigators with the South Carolina Highway Patrol interviewed at least 18 people as part of their probe in the year that followed Stephen's death. You'll hear more of those interviews, and what the troopers thought about the case in this week's episode.

One thing becomes abundantly clear very quickly: State Troopers do NOT believe Stephen's death was an accidental hit-and-run. It's a murder investigation from the get-go in there eyes.

Meanwhile, Stephen's mother, Sandy, his sister, Stephanie, and their entire family have been left in a lurch just wanting answers and justice as year after agonizing year has passed with no resolution.

Is there hope of finality on the horizon?

More on the Murdaugh saga: https://abcnews4.com/murdaugh

~~~~~~~~~~

Unsolved South Carolina is a production of ABC News 4 in Charleston, South Carolina.

Anne Emerson - Host, Producer
Drew Tripp - Executive Producer, Social Media, Graphic Design
Daniel Michener - Producer, Audio Engineer
Maxwell Harrison, KJ Morrison - Music
Douglas Stewart - Graphic Design

Please consider leaving a review and a rating if you enjoy the podcast. It greatly helps spread the show to other listeners.

Follow the show on social media at @UnsolvedSCPod. That's the name to find us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S1E4: The Death of Stephen Smith, Part 1 | The Murdaugh Murders, Money & Mystery | Unsolved South Carolina Nov 04, 2021

Stephen Smith was found dead along a rural Hampton County road in the pre-dawn hours of July 8, 2015. His death came under mysterious circumstances, and remains unsolved.

Stephen Smith's death ultimately was ruled a hit-and-run by a medical examiner, despite law enforcement saying there was no solid evidence to prove that's what actually happened.

Instead, law enforcement treated Stephen's death as a homicide from the start, saying what physical evidence they found indicated a possibly staged accident scene.

Fiery rumors of who was to blame began to burn as the investigation progressed, but the case ultimately went cold. That's until June 2021, weeks after the deaths of Maggie and Paul Murdaugh.

State police announced they were reopening Stephen's case based on new information found related to the Murdaugh murders, tying yet another death to the beleaguered family.

So how exactly do the Murdaughs fit into Stephen's story? Over the next two episodes we'll examine the possible connections revealed through hours of interviews with Stephen's family and friends, as well as other possible suspects.

More on the Murdaugh saga: https://abcnews4.com/murdaugh

~~~~~~~~~~

Unsolved South Carolina is a production of ABC News 4 in Charleston, South Carolina.

Anne Emerson - Host, Producer
Drew Tripp - Executive Producer, Social Media, Graphic Design
Daniel Michener - Producer, Audio Engineer
Maxwell Harrison, KJ Morrison - Music
Douglas Stewart - Graphic Design
Alex Caban - Voiceover Contributor

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S1E3: Eddie Smith Shoots Alex Murdaugh | The Murdaugh Murders, Money & Mystery | Unsolved South Carolina Oct 28, 2021

Meet Curtis "Eddie" Smith, the man police say shot Alex Murdaugh in the head along a rural stretch of Hampton County highway — but not out of malice. Eddie maintains he and Alex were longtime friends, like brothers.

Authorities say Eddie also was (allegedly) a personal drug dealer to Alex. State investigators say Alex asked Eddie to kill him as part of an assisted suicide plot and insurance fraud scheme meant to benefit Alex's surviving son, Buster, in the form of a $10 million life insurance settlement.

Eddie denies he was involved in the scheme, saying it was instead a set-up and he never shot Alex. And the public speculated the shooting never happened either, after Murdaugh showed up to a bond court appearance just over a week after the alleged shooting with no visible injury.

Medical records provided by Murdaugh's attorney, Dick Harpootlian, show Alex was indeed shot, suffering a skull fracture and a brain bleed.

Yet as serious as those injuries sound, Alex spent only a handful of days in the hospital, soon transferring to a drug rehab facility after it was revealed he was battling a years-long addiction to prescription pain pills.

Also coming out in the wash was Alex had been forced to resign from his family's law firm a day before he was shot following the firm's discovery he'd been stealing money from the business.

Read more on the Murdaughs at this link: https://abcnews4.com/news/murdaugh-murders

~~~~~~~~~~

Unsolved South Carolina is a production of ABC News 4 in Charleston, South Carolina.

Anne Emerson - Host, Producer

Drew Tripp - Executive Producer, Social Media, Graphic Design

Daniel Michener - Producer, Audio Engineer

Maxwell Harrison, KJ Morrison - Music

Douglas Stewart - Graphic Design

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S1E2: Murdaugh Family History | The Murdaugh Murders, Money & Mystery | Unsolved South Carolina Oct 21, 2021

Episode 2: A look into the history of the Murdaugh family and their rise to prominence in the legal profession as adept personal injury attorneys and also the top prosecutors in South Carolina's 14th Judicial Circuit, which includes Hampton County and four other surrounding counties.

Randolph Murdaugh Sr., the Murdaugh family patriarch, founded what would become today's Peters Murdaugh Parker Eltzroth & Detrick law firm as a one-man office in Hampton County in 1910.

Randolph Murdaugh Sr. became the first elected solicitor (district attorney) for the 14th Circuit in 1920. In 1940, Randolph Sr. died after being hit by a train near the Early Branch community in Hampton County.

The same year, Randolph "Buster" Murdaugh, Jr. became his father's successor, the second generation of Murdaugh men elected to serve as 14th Circuit Solicitor.

Buster Murdaugh would face criminal charges in 1956 as part of a federal bootleg liquor conspiracy trial, but was ultimately acquitted despite a federal judge's harsh criticism of Buster and accusations of witness tampering.

Buster would serve until his retirement in 1986, after which Randolph Murdaugh III was elected to continue the Murdaugh family's legal reign over the 14th Circuit. Randolph III held the seat until retiring to private practice in 2006.

Randolph III's sons Randy and Alex followed their father into the legal profession, but didn't seek the solicitor's role.

Read more on the Murdaughs at this link: https://abcnews4.com/news/murdaugh-murders

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Unsolved South Carolina is a production of ABC News 4 in Charleston, South Carolina.

Anne Emerson - Host, Producer

Drew Tripp - Executive Producer, Social Media, Graphic Design

Daniel Michener - Producer, Audio Engineer

Maxwell Harrison, KJ Morrison - Music

Douglas Stewart - Graphic Design

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S1E1: Tragedy Strikes | The Murdaugh Murders, Money & Mystery | Unsolved South Carolina Oct 14, 2021

Episode 1: Connecting the dots of mysterious deaths and alleged crimes related to the Murdaugh family.

Read more on the Murdaughs at this link: https://abcnews4.com/news/murdaugh-murders

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Unsolved South Carolina is a production of ABC News 4 in Charleston, South Carolina.

Anne Emerson - Host, Producer

Drew Tripp - Executive Producer, Social Media, Graphic Design

Daniel Michener - Producer, Audio Engineer

Maxwell Harrison, KJ Morrison - Music

Douglas Stewart - Graphic Design

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Introducing The Murdaugh Murders, Money & Mystery | Unsolved South Carolina Sep 26, 2021

In June 2021, Alex Murdaugh (pron. mer-dock) called 9-1-1 to report he'd found his wife, Maggie, and youngest son, Paul, dead outside their home in rural Colleton County, South Carolina. Both Maggie and Paul had been brutally shot to death.

As months have passed, what began as a criminal investigation into Maggie and Paul Murdaugh's murders has broadened into several additional criminal probes of Alex Murdaugh and his dealings as a member of a powerful South Carolina family with generations of influence over the criminal justice system across a large area of the state.

Those investigations into Alex Murdaugh include claims of missing money from his family's law firm, a chronic drug addiction, a failed assisted suicide attempt and insurance fraud plot, a stolen life insurance settlement, and his family's ties to three other local deaths: Mallory Beach in 2019, Gloria Satterfield in 2018, and Stephen Smith in 2015.

In this podcast, veteran journalist Anne Emerson will delve into the unfolding developments and crucial background information of the case, featuring interviews with people directly involved and others with close ties to the suspects and many victims in this ever-murkier murder mystery

Unsolved South Carolina: The Murdaughs premieres October 14, 2021, on all major podcast platforms.

~~~~~~~~~~

Unsolved South Carolina is a seasonal, episodic podcast taking in-depth looks at true crime and cold cases in South Carolina. Each new season will be dedicated to one subject, telling the story through new and historical interviews with the people involved, as well as public records related to their cases.

Unsolved South Carolina is a production of ABC News 4 (WCIV-TV), a broadcast news organization in Charleston, South Carolina. Listen to it Thursdays beginning October 14.

~~~~~~~~~~

Credits

Anne Emerson - Show Host, Executive Producer, Co-creator

Daniel Michener - Audio Engineer, Producer, Co-creator

Drew Tripp - Managing Producer, Graphic Design, Social Media

Douglas Stewart - Graphic Design

~~~~~~~~~~

Follow on social media: @unsolvedscpod (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter)

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.