SC - Paul Murdaugh, 22 and mom Margaret, 52, found shot to death, Islandton, 7 June 2021

[MajorHoople]

Does anyone else remember the Dominick Dunne show, Power, Privilege and Justice? This case could be an episode.

No clue how this is going to turn out.

A terrible way to die, may Paul and Margaret RIP.

I remember that TV show. After his passing it turned out that Dominick Dunne had a few secrets of his own.

 

[Snoopster]

That funeral service must have been terribly tough for the family today. I can't imagine.

And then the skies opened. My thoughts are with the loved ones who are also dealing with the loss of grandad.


https://www.heraldonline.com/news/state/south-carolina/article252050853.html

 

[MajorHoople]

A view of the Murdaugh property.

(ETA: not sure why the image won't show up. It shows up in the preview.)

https://www.islandpacket.com/news/local/crime/article252022183.html

The victims bodies were found near the dog kennels.
Were the dogs there at the time? Would they have barked and alerted the victims if a stranger approached?

ETA: Adding a quote from the above article:

This article has an aerial view of the house.

Mom and teenage son from prominent South Carolina family are shot dead in their home | Daily Mail Online

 

[Snoopster]

This article has an aerial view of the house.

Mom and teenage son from prominent South Carolina family are shot dead in their home | Daily Mail Online

Thanks!

From this article:

After the murders, the Beach family released a statement through their attorney saying they hoped the killer would be brought to justice.

'The Beach Family extends its deepest and warmest sympathies to the Murdaugh family during this terrible time.

'Having suffered the devastating loss of their own daughter, the family prays that the Murdaughs can find some level of peace from this tragic loss.

 

[SandyQLS]

Other than a home invasion situation, which strikes me as unlikely given the "no threat to the public," the easiest way to imagine this, for me, is one family member shooting another, and then a third party, family or not, shooting the first. Or crazier still, the two victims shooting each other.

ITA that these scenarios are possible.

 

[evilwise]

The law firm opened in 1910, so he did not go start a firm, he was joining his family's firm that was already there.

Welcome to Websleuths.

 

[taylorss]

Since LE are saying there’s no threat to public & not offering any comment or info at all …….. I guess they think they have a good lead & are trying to reel it in ?

news coverage of the funeral mentions the hub/father AM there wiping away tears but no mention of him speaking.
Also
“More than an hour after the service began, heavy rains moved in. The priest wrapped up quickly, and attendees rushed to their cars.Some members of the Murdaugh family hung back, including Buster, Paul’s older brother. As the rain fell, Buster Murdaugh shared a long hug with a family member in front of his brother’s grave.”

<modsnip>

https://www.islandpacket.com/news/local/crime/article252058313.html

 

[taylorss]

Report on this from local rag … nothing new here, it’s even missing info, but it has the cutest picture of the two tragic victims. I cant post pics for some reason so if anyone is interested it’s the last pic on this page - mother & son look so much alike with their matching grins! If you cover the hair they could be twins such a loss.

Mother and son of prominent South Carolina family found shot dead

just terrible turns of events for this family - first the son PM’s involvement in the death of an innocent young lady, and now this horrible slaughter. Until recently life must have felt so comfortable & secure around there.

IMO just speculation but I’m figuring the tragic death of young Mallory Beach had nothing to do with the Murdaughs’ murder, even though the victim PM was <modsnip> in the process of facing justice for it. This incident seems more domestic. JMO

 

[bestill]

Can't believe the silence, no updates, can only imagine the community frustration and questions.

 

[Knox]

While the scenario above would have been a lovely way for this tragedy to play out, it can’t happen. Paul, 22, was shot to death on Monday June 7, along with his mother Margaret, 52. Their surviving family members are Paul’s dad, Alex, and Paul’s brother. Paul’s paternal grandfather, Randolph, died today of natural cause. It has been reported that he had been ill.
It is a complicated tragic drama for sure. The Murdaugh family is a legal dynasty in South Carolina. Paul was criminally charged in the boat accident death of Mallory Beach that happened in 2019. His trial had not yet happened when he died. With Paul’s death, there is no defendant to try, so charges will be dropped. The Beach family had filed a civil suit against the Murdaugh family and the convenience store who sold alcohol to some of the underaged students on the boat that night. I believe this week’s deaths in the Murtaugh family may interrupt but will not stop the civil matter from proceeding.

Questions Swirl After Powerful Lawyer’s Wife, Son Are Killed Amid Fatal Boat Party Probe

I'm just tuning into this case. Initially I thought perhaps a murder-suicide, but two different weapons complicate that scenario. Since the deaths occurred so soon after the hearing, I next wondered if someone is concerned that justice could never be obtained and obtained their own. Just some initial thoughts.

ETA- they were found outside near the dog kennels. That's curious isn't it, not in the home. Were the dogs barking and they were checking on them, or did they run out of the house and were gunned down when caught up to? Wonder where the kennels are in relation to the house?

 

[Knox]

This article has an aerial view of the house.

Mom and teenage son from prominent South Carolina family are shot dead in their home | Daily Mail Online

The roofline looks like the first picture above, click on map link for overhead view. Google Maps

 

[LadyL]

has there been any discussion about this statement? what does it mean? to me it implies suicide

'Both speakers noted how close the Murdaugh family was, and Crosby added that Murdaugh III “chose to go to be with them” when he died Thursday.'

Read more here: https://www.heraldonline.com/news/state/south-carolina/article252050853.html#storylink=cpy

 

[StarryStarryNight]

has there been any discussion about this statement? what does it mean? to me it implies suicide

'Both speakers noted how close the Murdaugh family was, and Crosby added that Murdaugh III “chose to go to be with them” when he died Thursday.'

Read more here: https://www.heraldonline.com/news/state/south-carolina/article252050853.html#storylink=cpy

I don’t think it was anything more than a reference to the fact that they, PM, MM, and Murdaugh III, are all together now, and the tragedy of losing three family members within such a short time. My understanding is that Murdaugh III was in very poor health if not terminally ill.

 

[helpfulcharlie]

has there been any discussion about this statement? what does it mean? to me it implies suicide

'Both speakers noted how close the Murdaugh family was, and Crosby added that Murdaugh III “chose to go to be with them” when he died Thursday.'

Read more here: https://www.heraldonline.com/news/state/south-carolina/article252050853.html#storylink=cpy

It's a little awkward. Usually people tend to attribute that choice to God, not to the deceased. But okay. Still tapping my fingers and frequently checking here for updates.

 

[stmarysmead]

I think many of us are sitting on our hands until a time when we can discuss this case in a fuller sense.

 

[Subiechik21]

My mom, sister and I, along with a couple of friends, are discussing this too! Have been since the accident and we are South Carolinians too. The deeper I go the more questions I have!

RBBM
I am with you on this one & glad that I am not the only one who seems to get more lost the more info that comes out! For every 1 new piece of information released there are 10 more questions brought up with it!

 

[Spartygirl]

Following along.
How tragic. The whole thing-- from the boating accident to the double homicide to Dad/Grandpa passing away a few days later.

It seems strange to have this many coincidences involving this one family dealing with an upcoming death/court proceeding about an accidental death.

I am sitting on my hands like everyone else here, but I sense something hinky and due to them being from a High influential, Rich family with LEGAL background, Large, multiple properties, high influential, Rich and powerful family members who are , did I say Rich and powerful and full of legal knowledge yet??

The family history of being prosecutors and attorneys would also most likely give them enemies --
Someone they prosecuted against ??
Someone they defended but ended up being found guilty ??
One of their own being put on trial for an accidental death and someone else taking a vigilante action ??
Who knows ??
The whole high prominent, legal system and those they may have dealt with over the many years could bring many enemies....
...or make them enemies of their own family members.

PM's accidental death court proceeding will no longer be upcoming in the courts and trials system.. no witnesses for the prosecutor's side to sit and say any negative things about this family in the court of law. which could taint their powerful reputations, both personally and professionally.

JMO and following along.

 

[KatzEye]

This Post & Courier article is interesting. I found these two paragraphs (long article) especially interesting. JMOO

Questions abound in SC Murdaugh killing. Among them: Should prosecutor step aside?

For the better part of a century, nearly every criminal case in the southern tip of the state passed through a prosecutor’s office run by a Murdaugh. The hold on power ran from 1920 to 2005 with only a brief gap in the 1950s when Buster Murdaugh was accused of helping moonshiners evade the law.

The courts also created a pathway for the Murdaughs to accumulate considerable wealth: The family’s century-old firm has extracted such large payouts from its litigation that the Hampton County courthouse has a national reputation as a hostile venue for big corporations. The family owns more than 1,700 acres of woodlands and swamps in Colleton and Hampton counties, including a hunting lodge called Moselle, where the double homicide took place.

So, in my estimation, 85 years to make a whole lot of enemies. Although, that might not be unusual for prosecutors or even defense lawyers. JMOO

 

[bestill]

If a wife and son were murdered wouldn't "someone" be pleading for answers, tips, expressing outrage and fear?? Someone knows exactly what happened, imo

 

[MoeInVA]

If a wife and son were murdered wouldn't "someone" be pleading for answers, tips, expressing outrage and fear?? Someone knows exactly what happened, imo

I agree. I believe a lot of someones must know what happened. So we wait.