He was the only one who didn't want to leave.
When the boat hit the bridge in the early hours of February 24, 2019, the world of a young man named Anthony Cook South Carolina didn't just change—it shattered. Most people know the Murdaugh name by now. They know about the murders, the stolen millions, and the ginger-haired son, Paul, who supposedly drove a boat into a piling while wasted. But Anthony? He was the guy screaming into the dark water for a girl who wasn't coming back.
The Night Everything Broke
Honestly, the story of Anthony Cook is basically a tragedy within a tragedy. He wasn't some legal titan or a wealthy heir. He was a 19-year-old kid from Hampton County who was head-over-heels for Mallory Beach.
They’d been together for a while. You can see them in the grainy surveillance footage from the dock at Luther’s Rare & Well Done in Beaufort. They’re walking together, close, just a normal couple on a Saturday night. Then they get on that boat.
The group—six of them in total—had been at an oyster roast on Paukie Island. Paul Murdaugh, the youngest son of the local legal dynasty, was driving. By all accounts, he was "grossly intoxicated." Anthony and the others didn't want him behind the wheel. Anthony even suggested getting an Uber. But in that small-town world where the Murdaugh name acted like a shield, Paul wasn't hearing it.
The boat, a 17-foot Sea Hunt, was flying. Anthony was so scared for Mallory that he had her sit on his lap at the bottom of the boat, hoping to keep her safe if things went sideways.
Then came the bridge.
"That's His Son"
The crash at Archer’s Creek was violent. It wasn't a bump; it was a high-speed collision with the bridge pilings. Mallory was ejected. Anthony was thrown into the water, too, but he made it up. Mallory didn't.
There’s a dashcam video from that night that is absolutely haunting. You see Anthony, soaking wet and shivering in the freezing February air, pacing like a caged animal. He’s yelling at the deputies. He’s pointing at Paul Murdaugh.
"Do you know Alex Murdaugh?" Anthony asks the deputy. "That's his son."
It’s a chilling moment. Even in the middle of the worst night of his life, Anthony knew exactly what he was up against. He knew the Murdaugh influence was already starting to settle over the crime scene like a fog. While the others were eventually taken to the hospital, Anthony refused to leave. He stayed by the river, waiting. He waited for eight days until they found her body five miles down the river.
The Legal War and the Murdaugh Shadow
After the crash, the "Murdaugh Machine" went into overdrive. There were allegations that Alex Murdaugh, Paul’s father, showed up at the hospital to try and influence the survivors. He reportedly told Connor Cook—Anthony’s cousin—not to say who was driving.
But Anthony didn't play along.
He was the primary witness who never wavered. In his depositions, he was blunt. He talked about how Paul would turn into a different person when he drank—a persona the friends nicknamed "Timmy." He described the arguments on the boat and the terrifying moments leading up to the impact.
- The Lawsuit: Anthony eventually filed a civil suit against Alex Murdaugh, the estate of Maggie Murdaugh, and Parker’s Kitchen (the store that sold Paul the alcohol).
- The Settlement: In July 2023, a massive $15 million settlement was reached between the Beach family, the survivors, and Parker’s.
- The Impact: While the money was significant, for Anthony, it was never really about the cash. It was about the fact that he lost the "love of his life" because a "spoiled" kid thought he was above the law.
Where is Anthony Cook Now?
Life after the Murdaugh trial hasn't been easy. How could it be? Anthony has mostly stayed out of the spotlight, which is probably the smartest thing he could do.
He’s reportedly working as an electrical lineman. It’s tough, physical work that keeps him outside and busy. People who know him say he still carries the weight of that night. It's a type of PTSD that doesn't just "go away" because a court case ended. He once wrote on Facebook about the regret of having to swim to shore without her to save his own life. That kind of survivor's guilt is a heavy thing to carry through your twenties.
Interestingly, despite the horror of the crash, the bond between the survivors remained. Anthony is still close with his cousin Connor. They went through a literal war together, fighting a family that had controlled their corner of South Carolina for a century.
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Why the Anthony Cook Story Matters
We talk a lot about "true crime" like it’s entertainment. We watch the Netflix specials and the HBO documentaries. But for Anthony Cook South Carolina, this wasn't a plot point. It was his actual life.
His story is the human cost of corruption. When powerful families are allowed to operate without consequences, it’s the "regular" people who pay the price. Anthony was just a guy who went to a party and came home without his girlfriend and with a lifetime of trauma.
He stood up to the Murdaughs when it was dangerous to do so. He didn't let them rewrite the story of what happened on that boat. In a way, he’s one of the few people in this whole saga who actually came out with his integrity intact.
Practical Insights for Following the Case's Legacy:
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- Monitor Legal Precedents: The "joint and several liability" laws in South Carolina became a huge talking point because of this case. Business owners should keep an eye on how alcohol liability (Dram Shop laws) is evolving in the state.
- Support Victim Advocacy: Organizations like Mal's Palz (founded in Mallory's honor) focus on animal welfare, something Mallory was passionate about. Supporting these groups is a tangible way to honor the victims.
- Boating Safety: This case serves as a grim reminder of the importance of designated drivers on the water. South Carolina has since seen increased scrutiny on BUI (Boating Under the Influence) enforcement.
The Murdaugh era in South Carolina might be over in terms of their legal reign, but for the people left behind in the wake of the 2019 crash, the healing is a long, slow process that doesn't have a neat "conclusion."