South Carolina officials rediscovered a lead in the mysterious 2015 death of Stephen Smith, a 19-year-old who was found dead on July 8, 2015, just as they delved into the murders of Alex Murdaugh’s wife Maggie and son Paul in June 2021. Despite initial efforts to attribute Smith’s death to a hit and run, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) indicated a lack of evidence during their initial investigation, leading to the conclusion that Smith had, in fact, been murdered. At the center of the new inquiry are observations, interviews, and rumors collected by the South Carolina Highway Patrol and the case’s confounding puzzle. This includes fresh details highlighting the final days in Smith’s life leading up to his mysterious death.
One significant revelation relates to a conversation Smith had with his mother about a fishing trip involving a prominent person, the details of which remain shrouded in ambiguity. On July 8, 2015, Smith’s body was discovered at 3:59 a.m., showcasing a substantial head injury. However, responding officers at the scene did not detect any evidence typical of a vehicle accident. Not long after, Smith’s car was found three miles away on the side of the road, with its gas cap oddly detached. These puzzling discoveries and the dubious circumstances surrounding Smith’s death have led to an array of theories and speculation that authorities hope to address in the renewed investigation.
In the aftermath of Smith’s untimely death, a tapestry of hearsay and rumors began to unravel, with the prominent Murdaugh family at the epicenter. Alex Murdaugh, an esteemed attorney, and his family had long held influence in providing clarity to various local legal issues and served as a focal point of the investigation. One particular rumor, linked to Alex Murdaugh’s oldest son, Buster Murdaugh, was probed, but no factual evidence was ever brought forth to substantiate these claims.
Finally, there was a possible lead brought to the attention of the Highway Patrol from a tip given by a man named Darrell Williams in December 2015, which added another layer of uncertainty and intrigue to Smith’s case. The resurfacing of these complex and captivating details provides a glimpse into the multiplier mystery surrounding the death of Stephen Smith. As questions continue to swirl, the reinvigorated investigation seeks to unravel the complexities and controversies surrounding this perplexing case.
