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

[jjonez]

MOO… (and TW for a couple of graphic comments to follow)

Ever since I saw the crime scene photos, it looked to me like SS was placed in the road, as if just prior he had been lifted/carried. To me, that suggested he had been killed elsewhere, and the scene was staged - either to look like a hit and run, or in hopes that someone would hit SS and obscure the true nature of his death.

I kept questioning that, because the large quantity blood in the road tells us that he was killed there.

Now I’m considering that the initial crime against SS was a beating or some form of violence that left him unconscious or incapacitated (perhaps a hate crime that went farther than intended). And afterwards he was transported away from the scene of that crime and killed in the street as a cover up.

all MOO

 

[LetsSolvIt]

Mandy M said she and her husband took the video and they released it to the press.

Interesting. Thanks.

 

[gremlin444]

I haven't been able to find any information on how much traffic that road gets at that time of year in the evening/overnight. I wonder if he was gravely injured elsewhere and then dumped there still alive--hence still bleeding and accounting for the pooled blood. And then he died due to his head injuries, per the autopsy.

 

[Wallendo]

MOO… (and TW for a couple of graphic comments to follow)

Ever since I saw the crime scene photos, it looked to me like SS was placed in the road, as if just prior he had been lifted/carried. To me, that suggested he had been killed elsewhere, and the scene was staged - either to look like a hit and run, or in hopes that someone would hit SS and obscure the true nature of his death.

I kept questioning that, because the large quantity blood in the road tells us that he was killed there.

Now I’m considering that the initial crime against SS was a beating or some form of violence that left him unconscious or incapacitated (perhaps a hate crime that went farther than intended). And afterwards he was transported away from the scene of that crime and killed in the street as a cover up.

all MOO

The original autopsy demonstrated head trauma, a shoulder dislocation and scrapes on the arms. Although most reports of the second autopsy have been mostly click-bait articles, there are reports that the new pathologists were not critical of the original autopsy. The only real controversy concerning the original autopsy was the final impression. If Stephen were beaten or tortured somewhere else, there should be evidence of such a beating.

On the other hand, it is hard to imagine why Stephen would not get out of the road when he heard or saw a vehicle approaching. I wonder if he recognized the approaching vehicle and thought it was somebody or a group he could trust?

What is most interesting about this case is that it simultaneously feels like a crime of opportunity (his car runs out of gas or breaks down) as well as a "hit" (a single blow to the head, not a rage beating with a blunt object with multiple blows).

 

[arielilane]

I haven't been able to find any information on how much traffic that road gets at that time of year in the evening/overnight. I wonder if he was gravely injured elsewhere and then dumped there still alive--hence still bleeding and accounting for the pooled blood. And then he died due to his head injuries, per the autopsy.

I really think SS was placed there. I lean more toward being a staged scene. moo

 

[arielilane]

Staying tight lipped as they should. imo

https://twitter.com/x/status/1643837743162597379

Stephen Smith autopsy yields details ‘we need’: Pathologist

Stephen Smith, a South Carolina teenager was killed in 2015. Authorities exhumed and autopsied his body as the investigation into his death continues.

www.newsnationnow.com

Stephen Smith autopsy yields details ‘we need’: Pathologist​

• A new report IDs two persons of interest in the death of Stephen Smith
• A second autopsy was completed on the exhumed body of the teen
• Forensic pathologist: I think that we got the information that we need

DuPre said there was “certainly some evidence that we recovered,” but said she didn’t know that it was actually new evidence.

“I think that we got the information that we need to move the investigation forward,” she said. “And of course, now that is in the hands of law enforcement, and they’re doing an excellent job.”

 

[vls12345]

The Second Autopsy of Murdaugh Murders-Linked Stephen Smith Considered a "Success"

SLED confirmed recently that Stephen Smith's death is being investigated as a homicide. The teen, who died in 2015, was linked to Buster Murdaugh.

news.yahoo.com

 

[Twistinginthewind]

Not sure if posted already, from yesterday (BTW, so pleased Dr. Kinney is involved! MOO):

"Three pathologists hired by Smith’s family conducted the autopsy this past weekend, family attorney Eric Bland told USA Today. The results have not been disclosed.

A forensic detective also has joined the family effort. Dr. Kenneth Kinsey said April 4 that he’s visited the area where Smith died.

"I… wanted to put myself in the position of Stephen. And try to figure out which direction Stephen might have taken,” Kinsey told WCIV-TV."

Body Of Stephen Smith, Teen Found Dead Near Murdaugh Estate, Back In Grave After Independent Autopsy; Reward Offered

 

[Warwick7]

"SLED has also located previously "missing" pieces of evidence, including a rape kit conducted on Smith, his clothing, and his blue paint chips found on his person," said Bland."

Details from slain teen Stephen Smith's autopsy slowly emerging. Here's what we know

After Stephen Smith's exhumation and a second post-mortem analysis, here's what we know about the slain teen's autopsy and SLED's investigation.

www.greenvilleonline.com

 

[sunshineray]

"SLED has also located previously "missing" pieces of evidence, including a rape kit conducted on Smith, his clothing, and his blue paint chips found on his person," said Bland."

Details from slain teen Stephen Smith's autopsy slowly emerging. Here's what we know

After Stephen Smith's exhumation and a second post-mortem analysis, here's what we know about the slain teen's autopsy and SLED's investigation.

www.greenvilleonline.com

I'm glad they found it. I hope it was all in an LE evidence lock up to preserve chain of custody in case those items need to be used in a future prosecution.

 

[Smelly Squirrel]

I do hope we can find out how it was lost and found. How that happened deserves an investigation on its own.

 

[pentimento]

Not sure if posted already, from yesterday (BTW, so pleased Dr. Kinney is involved! MOO):

"Three pathologists hired by Smith’s family conducted the autopsy this past weekend, family attorney Eric Bland told USA Today. The results have not been disclosed.

A forensic detective also has joined the family effort. Dr. Kenneth Kinsey said April 4 that he’s visited the area where Smith died.

"I… wanted to put myself in the position of Stephen. And try to figure out which direction Stephen might have taken,” Kinsey told WCIV-TV."

Body Of Stephen Smith, Teen Found Dead Near Murdaugh Estate, Back In Grave After Independent Autopsy; Reward Offered

That last statement is interesting. It sounds like they're thinking that he had car problems and (instead of calling his sister, as his mother said he would do) he knew someone close by where he could go for help. Sandy said that Stephen was very discreet about who he was seeing, so it could have been someone that she was not aware of. And there's that 5-hour gap in time between when he would've gotten to where the car was located and when his body was found. So where did he go? JMO.

 

[watcher9]

Just saw this -- please excuse if this has already been posted.

Stephen Smith's 2nd Autopsy Yields New 'Evidence,' Declared a 'Success'​

Stephen Smith's 2015 death was initially ruled a hit-and-run, but now authorities say it was a homicide​

By Brandon Livesay

Published on April 5, 2023 12:28 PM
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Stephen Smith's 2nd Autopsy Yields New 'Evidence,' Declared a 'Success'

Stephen Smith's 2015 death was initially ruled a hit-and-run, but now authorities say it was a homicide

people.com

What if the bullet was still lodged in his head?

 

[gremlin444]

What if the bullet was still lodged in his head?

Nope. Sandy's attorney Eric Bland and Mandy Matney both stated in the podcasts after the autopsy that SLED has official ruled out gunshot wound and suicide.

 

[TeaTime]

Nope. Sandy's attorney Eric Bland and Mandy Matney both stated in the podcasts after the autopsy that SLED has official ruled out gunshot wound and suicide.

Puts that original impression by LE to rest. Thank you. That one bothered me a lot.

 

[girlhasnoname]

The article says they are not going to release the official cause of death until everything is completed.

MOO

 

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[sunshineray]

That last statement is interesting. It sounds like they're thinking that he had car problems and (instead of calling his sister, as his mother said he would do) he knew someone close by where he could go for help. Sandy said that Stephen was very discreet about who he was seeing, so it could have been someone that she was not aware of. And there's that 5-hour gap in time between when he would've gotten to where the car was located and when his body was found. So where did he go? JMO.

Kinsey also said he walked around and talked to a lot of people which he said was very interesting. He's got such a personable way, I bet people talked more openly with him than maybe they have with other LE.

 

[Warwick7]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1644477959934279681

 

[rescuemom]

I'm hoping there is lots of information being received behind the scenes that we don't need to know right now but that will blow this case wide open!!