SC - Stephen Smith, 19, homicide, Hampton Co, 9 Jul 2015 *new death investigation 2023*

[Elley Mae]

I've tried to locate this information. If you have a link, would you please share? Just trying to catch up. Thanks.

Stephen Smith Investigation in Hampton SC: Interviews, Crime Scene Photos

What went wrong to the Stephen Smith case in Hampton South Carolina? See interviews and crime scene photos mentioned in the Murdaugh Murders podcast.

www.fitsnews.com

 

[Nikynoo]

<snipped & BBM> I find this very odd, why would Parker suddenly dismiss these 2 lawsuits?

Aug. 11, 2015

10:35 a.m. SCHP: Jack calls Duncan.

• Duncan tells Jack that he knows he sent a text to Britney.
• Jack knows Stephen (he confirms)
• Duncan asked if Buster Murdaugh had any relationship with Stephen. Said he had heard it.
• Jack said “I’ve heard the rumor.”
• Do you know any info if that’s true or not? “Not at all.
• When asked if he knows anything about about Stephen’s death, Jack says “No sir, not at all.”
• Jack said that’s the only rumor he’s heard in relation to Stephen’s death.

Editor’s note: While doing a basic background search on Jack, we noticed that he was facing two different lawsuits from the Murdaugh’s law firm. Attorney John E. Parker — a powerful, well-known firm partner — filed two car accident lawsuits against Jack in late July 2015. They were both dismissed in 2016.

MOO

Might have settled out of court. Sounds like a civil claim not a criminal action.

Who is Jack?

 

[Elley Mae]

Might have settled out of court. Sounds like a civil claim not a criminal action.

Who is Jack?

My post above explains it, Jack is a madeup name for someone that spoke about BM & Stephen.

 

[girlhasnoname]

Might have settled out of court. Sounds like a civil claim not a criminal action.

Who is Jack?

A 'fictitious' name used to protect someone's identity. I'm sorry I didn't add the link, I will try and find it again. It would make more sense reading it in it's entire context.

EBM: Elle Mae already addressed it, thanks EM.

MOO

 

[Simply Southern]

<snipped & BBM> I find this very odd, why would Parker suddenly dismiss these 2 lawsuits?

Aug. 11, 2015

10:35 a.m. SCHP: Jack calls Duncan.

• Duncan tells Jack that he knows he sent a text to Britney.
• Jack knows Stephen (he confirms)
• Duncan asked if Buster Murdaugh had any relationship with Stephen. Said he had heard it.
• Jack said “I’ve heard the rumor.”
• Do you know any info if that’s true or not? “Not at all.
• When asked if he knows anything about about Stephen’s death, Jack says “No sir, not at all.”
• Jack said that’s the only rumor he’s heard in relation to Stephen’s death.

Editor’s note: While doing a basic background search on Jack, we noticed that he was facing two different lawsuits from the Murdaugh’s law firm. Attorney John E. Parker — a powerful, well-known firm partner — filed two car accident lawsuits against Jack in late July 2015. They were both dismissed in 2016.

MOO

The auto accident lawsuits were more than likely dismissed, meaning settled out of court.

If "Jack" is officially named, I can look up the lawsuits on the SC court website.

 

[Simply Southern]

Stephen Smith Investigation in Hampton SC: Interviews, Crime Scene Photos

What went wrong to the Stephen Smith case in Hampton South Carolina? See interviews and crime scene photos mentioned in the Murdaugh Murders podcast.

www.fitsnews.com

Thanks, I've read part 2 and 3, looking for part 4.

MOO, so far....seems like so many suspects were overlooked, not interviewed, or not questioned/investigated as to time SS was killed. Seems, the focus is tracing the BM rumor. I get the impression Proctor is determine to pin this on BM, not following up on others.


Hoping to find Part 4, continuation from Dec 21, 2015. Also would like more formation on the Patrick Wilson case, as potential relationship to SS. I feel FITS brought this forward for a reason.

FITS has presented fact, objectivity and complete timeline of the investigation. I get the feeling, they are more open to finding the real killer. Makes me question SLEDs objectivity, follow up with a few individuals named.

Moo....

 

[Elley Mae]

Thanks, I've read part 2 and 3, looking for part 4.

MOO, so far....seems like so many suspects were overlooked, not interviewed, or not questioned/investigated as to time SS was killed. Seems, the focus is tracing the BM rumor. I get the impression Proctor is determine to pin this on BM, not following up on others.


Hoping to find Part 4, continuation from Dec 21, 2015. Also would like more formation on the Patrick Wilson case, as potential relationship to SS. I feel FITS brought this forward for a reason.

FITS has presented fact, objectivity and complete timeline of the investigation. I get the feeling, they are more open to finding the real killer. Makes me question SLEDs objectivity, follow up with a few individuals named.

Moo....

Stephen Smith Investigation: Why did the Hampton SC case go cold in 2015?

Why did the Stephen Smith investigation go cold in 2015? After SLED opened an investigation related to the Murduaugh Murders, FITSnews dug through the files.

www.fitsnews.com

 

[Ceska]

Family of Stephen Smith, who was found dead not far from Murdaugh home, raises money for exhumation and autopsy

The investigation into Smith's 2015 death was reopened after authorities said they found new evidence during the investigation into the murders of Maggie and Paul Murdaugh.

www.cbsnews.com

"The body of Stephen Smith, who died on a country road not far from the Murdaugh home, is to be exhumed, his family announced on Friday. On March 9, his mother, Sandy Smith, opened a GoFundMe page to raise money to exhume the body and perform an independent autopsy after questions were raised about his 2015 death during the investigation into the murders of Maggie and Paul Murdaugh. During the double murder investigation, state police said they found new evidence about Smith's death.".

Last I looked, the Go - fund - me donations were over $53,000. Happy to see that.
I am hoping this time they will get to the bottom of this cover-up, and eventual arrests made.

 

[imstilla.grandma]

For years, rumors circulated around the county that the case was connected to the Murdaugh family. That name appeared dozens of times in witness statements to police, yet the case grew cold and to this day there have been no arrests or even official confirmation that the case is, in fact, Murdaugh related or not.

The fundraising goal was $15,000 – but in only a week, that page states it has raised $41,034.

Mother raises $41K to exhume, autopsy remains of son found dead near Murdaugh estate in 2015

In the wake of the double murder conviction of Alex Murdaugh, the family of Stephen Smith makes a renewed drive to find the truth and seek justice.

www.usatoday.com

 

[Simply Southern]

Stephen Smith Investigation: Why did the Hampton SC case go cold in 2015?

Why did the Stephen Smith investigation go cold in 2015? After SLED opened an investigation related to the Murduaugh Murders, FITSnews dug through the files.

www.fitsnews.com

Thanks, onward to catch up

 

[Simply Southern]

Stephen Smith Investigation: Why did the Hampton SC case go cold in 2015?

Why did the Stephen Smith investigation go cold in 2015? After SLED opened an investigation related to the Murduaugh Murders, FITSnews dug through the files.

www.fitsnews.com

Found what I was looking for in the above...
Was able to look each of these cases up on the SSCS under Hampton County I noted the outcome of the dismissals in red

https://www.sccourts.org/casesearch/

• Soon after Stephen’s death, two lawsuits were filed against Shawn Connelly (who was a teenager at the time) by the Murdaugh law firm.
• On Aug. 7, 2015, Randy Murdaugh filed a motor vehicle accident lawsuit against Connelly on behalf of his client Christopher Still. The lawsuit was dismissed in November 2016. Perry Buckner, a well-known friend of the Murdaughs, was the judge. CASE DISMISSED PER PLAINTIFF REQUEST [ADR/DEFERRED..Alternate Dispute Resolution]
• On May 17, 2016, Neil Alger (PMPED attorney) filed a motor vehicle accident lawsuit against Shawn Connelly. That lawsuit was dismissed in September 2016. RELEASED BY PLAINTIFF LETTER FROM PLANTIFF ATTACHED TO FILE ***THREE DEFENDANTS IN THIS CASE

I also paid close attention to the home address of the above. HUM....

 

[sds71]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1637438323315572736

 

[arielilane]

New autopsy of man killed near Murdaugh home 7 years ago may uncover clues to mysterious death: expert

Plans to exhume the body of a 19-year-old Stephen Smith, who died in July 2015 near the Murdaugh family home, were given a boost after raising $40,000 online in a matter of days.

nypost.com

But the exhumation – which must first get the green-light from a judge – is only the beginning of a thorough process that involves re-examining how Smith’s body was handled during the initial investigation over seven years ago, said longtime leading forensics expert Joseph Scott Morgan.

Stephen was found with a large wound to the right side of his forehead in the middle of the road, three miles away from his car.

He also had a dislocated shoulder and cuts to his left hand, according to police reports.

 

[Simply Southern]

New autopsy of man killed near Murdaugh home 7 years ago may uncover clues to mysterious death: expert

Plans to exhume the body of a 19-year-old Stephen Smith, who died in July 2015 near the Murdaugh family home, were given a boost after raising $40,000 online in a matter of days.

nypost.com

But the exhumation – which must first get the green-light from a judge – is only the beginning of a thorough process that involves re-examining how Smith’s body was handled during the initial investigation over seven years ago, said longtime leading forensics expert Joseph Scott Morgan.

Stephen was found with a large wound to the right side of his forehead in the middle of the road, three miles away from his car.

He also had a dislocated shoulder and cuts to his left hand, according to police reports.

Maybe the announcement tomorrow will shed light on the exhuming of the body.

I do hope there will be previous xrays.
Moo

 

[Megnut]

What year did a certain family acquire a funeral home?

Not to be overly dramatic....

But I hope his body is in the coffin.

Stranger things have happened.

JMO

 

[arielilane]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1637508060724748291

Attorneys for #AlexMurdaugh financial crimes victims now representing family of Stephen Smith as teen’s body set for exhumation @TheEricBland @RonnieRichterBR @lawcrimenews

Attorneys for Alex Murdaugh financial crimes victims now representing family of Stephen Smith as teen's body set for exhumation

Attorneys who represent financial crimes victims of Alex Murdaugh are now representing the family of Stephen Smith, a Hampton County teenager.

lawandcrime.com

Attorneys who represent financial crimes victims of convicted double murderer and disgraced attorney Alex Murdaugh are now representing the family of Stephen Smith, a Hampton County teenager who is believed to have been murdered in the summer of 2015.

Eric Bland and Ronnie Richter, of the firm Bland Richter, teased an impending announcement on twitter Sunday morning regarding Stephen and his mother Sandy Smith. Bland and Richter both tweeted that an announcement would be coming Monday.

 

[arielilane]

What year did a certain family acquire a funeral home?

Not to be overly dramatic....

But I hope his body is in the coffin.

Stranger things have happened.

JMO

@Megnut, your point is well-taken, imo.

 

[Simply Southern]

Family hopes new headstone marks beginning of justice in Stephen Smith case

A new headstone for Stephen Smith was unveiled at the Gooding Cemetery in Hampton County Sunday.

www.live5news.com

Published: Jul. 17, 2022 at 8:41 PM UTC|Updated: Jul. 18, 2022 at 4:11 AM UTC

A new headstone for Stephen Smith was unveiled at the Gooding Cemetery in Hampton County Sunday.

The Hampton County Coroner’s Office said the 19-year-old was hit and killedback in 2015 by blunt-force trauma to the head. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division opened an investigation into Smith’s death in June of 2021 after agents found information relating to that case while they investigated the murders of Maggie and Paul Murdaugh.

Smith’s death is still unsolved.

The fundraiser, #StandingforStephen, raised money for this new headstone, created a scholarship in Smith’s name and set money aside to help his mother, Sandy Smith, with the ongoing case.

 

[Simply Southern]

What year did a certain family acquire a funeral home?

Not to be overly dramatic....

But I hope his body is in the coffin.

Stranger things have happened.

JMO

It was in Georgia

SC ex-lawyer Alex Murdaugh fronted $110K to purchase Georgia funeral home in 2020: court docs

Disgraced South Carolina attorney Alex Murdaugh, charged with defrauding former legal clients out of nearly $8.5 million since the still unsolved murders of his wife and son, allegedly fronted more than $110,000 to secure the purchase of a Georgia funeral home in 2020, according to court documents.

www.foxnews.com

Disgraced South Carolina attorney Alex Murdaugh allegedly shelled out more than $110,000 to purchase a Georgia funeral home in January 2020, according to local court documents filed Tuesday.

 

[arielilane]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1637577705653780481

Bland Richter founders @TheEricBland, @RonnieRichterBR, and Stephen Smith’s mother Sandy Smith will be hosting a virtual press conference Mon., 3/20 at 8:30 AM EST regarding the Stephen Smith death investigation.