The death of Stephen Smith, a 19-year-old man found dead on a rural South Carolina road in 2015, is now being investigated as a homicide, authorities said Tuesday night.
South Carolina’s law enforcement division made the decision following the Alex Murdaugh trial, in which the former attorney was convicted of killing his wife and child on the family’s hunting property. The department first said in 2021 that it would open an investigation into Smith’s death because of new information gathered in its investigation into the murders of Paul and Maggie Murdaugh.
Smith’s body was found on July 8, 2015, and an autopsy showed severe head trauma and injuries to his arm and hand. His body was found about 15 miles from the Murdaugh home.
First responders at the scene asked if her head injuries could have been caused by a gunshot wound, but a medical examiner later ruled her death the result of a hit and run. He was found about three miles from his car, which was abandoned with an open gas tank, authorities said at the time.
No one has been arrested or charged in Smith’s death. Officials have not announced any connection between Murdaugh and Smith’s death.
Smith’s mother said last week that she plans to exhume his body to gather more evidence about his death.
“I knew in my heart that what they were telling me was not true,” Sandy Smith told NewsNation Tuesday night.
Family lawyers said Tuesday’s ruling showed officials already had enough information to raise concerns about her cause of death.
“SLED officials disclosed that they do not need to exhume Stephen Smith’s body to convince them that his death was a murder,” attorneys Eric Bland and Ronnie Richter said in a statement. “However, they will be present and attend any exhumation of Stephen’s body to gather further evidence. We are committed to finding out what really happened and getting the peace and justice the Smith family deserves.”
Fox Carolina reported Tuesday that SLED waited until after Alex Murdaugh’s trial to make the announcement about the new investigation.
I’m a passionate and motivated journalist with a focus on world news. My experience spans across various media outlets, including Buna Times where I serve as an author. Over the years, I have become well-versed in researching and reporting on global topics, ranging from international politics to current events.