On a humid June night in 2021, the South Carolina Lowcountry changed forever. Most people know the name Alex Murdaugh by now. He was the powerhouse attorney whose life looked perfect on paper until it didn't. But at the heart of the trial that captivated the world were two people: Paul and Maggie Murdaugh.
They were found dead near the dog kennels of their sprawling 1,770-acre estate, known as Moselle. It was a scene of absolute carnage. Paul, just 22, was hit with a shotgun. Maggie, 52, was executed with a rifle. Honestly, the details that came out during the 2023 trial were enough to make anyone’s stomach turn.
What followed was a legal circus that exposed a century-old dynasty built on secrets, stolen millions, and a heavy addiction to painkillers. But beyond the headlines about Alex, who is currently serving two consecutive life sentences, the story of Paul and Maggie remains a tragic puzzle that many still struggle to piece together.
The Night Everything Collapsed
The timeline of June 7, 2021, is basically the most scrutinized 60 minutes in South Carolina history. Alex claimed he was napping at the main house. He said he then left to visit his mother in Almeda, who was suffering from dementia.
He told investigators he never went to the kennels that night until he "discovered" the bodies at 10:06 p.m.
That was a lie.
A massive, case-breaking lie.
Paul actually solved his own murder from the grave. About five minutes before the prosecution believes the shootings started, Paul recorded a video on his phone. He was trying to document a friend's dog’s tail injury. In the background of that video, you can clearly hear three voices: Paul, Maggie, and Alex.
That clip blew Alex's alibi out of the water. He later admitted on the stand that he lied about being there, blaming "paranoid thinking" caused by his years-long addiction to oxycodone. But by the time he confessed to the lie, the damage was done.
The Scene at the Kennels
- Paul Murdaugh: He was shot twice with a 12-gauge shotgun. The first shot hit his chest/arm area, but the second was a fatal "contact" wound to the head while he was in the feed room.
- Maggie Murdaugh: She was a few yards away. She was shot multiple times with a .300 Blackout rifle. Evidence suggests she was running or moving toward Paul when she was hit. She was shot in the back and then several more times while she was already on the ground.
- No Defensive Wounds: Neither victim had defensive wounds, suggesting they didn't see it coming or the shooter was someone they trusted completely.
Why Paul and Maggie Murdaugh?
This is the question that haunts the case. Why would a father kill his wife and son? The prosecution's theory was that Alex was facing a "financial reckoning."
He had spent years embezzling millions from his law firm and clients. On the very morning of the murders, the firm's CFO had confronted him about missing fees. He was also facing a massive lawsuit stemming from a 2019 boat crash where Paul was allegedly driving drunk and killed a young woman named Mallory Beach.
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Basically, Alex was desperate. The state argued he killed them to create a "distraction" and gain sympathy, delaying the exposure of his financial crimes.
Some people find that motive hard to swallow. It’s a huge leap from "stealing money" to "shotgunning your kid." But the jury only needed three hours to decide it was the truth.
The Legend of "Timmy"
To understand Paul, you have to look at the 2019 boat crash. Friends testified that when Paul drank heavily, he became a different person they nicknamed "Timmy."
Timmy was erratic. Timmy was aggressive.
At the time of his death, Paul was awaiting trial for three felony counts of boating under the influence. The local community was already divided over the Murdaughs, with many believing the family used their influence to protect Paul from the consequences of that crash. It’s a layer of the story that makes the tragedy even more complex—Paul was a victim, but in the eyes of many, he was also a young man who had caused immense pain.
The Aftermath and 2026 Appeals
The story didn't end with the "guilty" verdict in March 2023. Not even close.
As of early 2026, the case is still making its way through the South Carolina Supreme Court. Alex’s defense team, led by Jim Griffin and Dick Harpootlian, has filed appeals based on allegations of jury tampering. They claim the former Clerk of Court, Becky Hill, pressured jurors to reach a quick verdict.
While a lower court previously denied a motion for a new trial, the Supreme Court is currently reviewing whether those interactions—if they happened—were enough to violate Alex’s right to a fair trial.
Then there is the state of the estate. Moselle was sold. The family’s belongings were auctioned off. The dynasty is effectively dead.
What Most People Get Wrong
One common misconception is that Maggie was about to leave Alex. While there were rumors she had seen a divorce lawyer, that was never definitively proven in court. Her sister, Marian Proctor, testified that Maggie was a devoted wife who was worried about Alex’s behavior and his father’s failing health, but she didn't paint a picture of a woman on the verge of walking out.
Another thing? The "two shooters" theory. The defense brought in experts who argued the trajectories of the bullets suggested a shooter much shorter than Alex, or possibly two different people because two different guns were used.
It sounds plausible until you look at the timeline. The window of time for two random assassins to enter the property, kill only Paul and Maggie, and leave without Alex seeing them—all while his voice is on a video at the scene minutes prior—is practically non-existent.
Actionable Insights for Following the Case
If you're still tracking this saga, here are the key areas to watch as the legal battles continue into 2026:
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- Monitor the Supreme Court Docket: The hearing for Alex Murdaugh’s murder conviction appeal is a major milestone. If a new trial is granted, the entire circus starts over.
- The Stephen Smith Investigation: Following the murders of Paul and Maggie, SLED reopened the 2015 death of Stephen Smith. No one has been charged yet, but the investigation is active and often linked to the Murdaugh family name.
- Financial Crime Fallout: Alex has already been sentenced for his financial crimes, but the civil lawsuits from his victims are still working through the system, determining where the remaining Murdaugh assets go.
- Buster Murdaugh’s Role: Alex’s surviving son, Buster, has maintained his father’s innocence. His rare public statements or potential legal actions regarding his family's estate remain a point of interest for those following the family's trajectory.
The deaths of Paul and Maggie Murdaugh weren't just a "true crime" headline. They were the catalyst that brought down a century of unchecked power in the South Carolina Lowcountry. Whether you believe the "financial distraction" motive or not, the evidence of that night—the phones, the GPS, and that haunting kennel video—tells a story that the courts have, for now, marked as closed.