HAMPTON COUNTY, South Carolina – While investigating the murders of Alex Murdaugh’s wife Maggie and son Paul in June 2021, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) stumbled across a clue in another mysterious death in the same area. The case in question was that of Stephen Smith, a 19-year-old found dead on July 8, 2015. His death, which was initially ruled as a hit-and-run, gained renewed interest following the Murdaugh murders.
SLED announced it would be reopening the investigation into Smith’s death, sparking new theories and reviving old rumors. The case had gone cold until SLED’s discovery after the Murdaugh murders. SLED has never disclosed the specific findings that led them back to Stephen Smith, but reports pieced together by “48 Hours” uncovered details from the original investigation by the South Carolina Highway Patrol.
Smith’s death began with a mysterious conversation with his mother, Sandy, just a week before his death. Smith told his mother that he was going on a fishing trip with a prominent person, leaving Sandy puzzled as to who this prominent person might have been. Despite the odd exchange, Sandy’s last day with Stephen was joyful, with him assuring her of his safe arrival to his destination before his untimely death.
On the morning of July 8, 2015, a local man on his way to work discovered Stephen’s lifeless body in the road. Investigators found no evidence of a typical vehicle accident, and a significant head wound led them to believe it was a murder instead of a hit-and-run. His car was later found off the road a few miles away, with the gas cap hanging off, suggesting a potential staging of the crime scene.
The investigation into Smith’s death saw the emergence of unsubstantiated rumors linking the Murdaugh family to the case. However, there was no public evidence linking the Murdaughs to Stephen’s death, and it remains unclear whether the rumors had any factual basis.
Subsequent tips and rumors, including a claim from Patrick Wilson detailing his friend Shawn Connelly’s involvement in a hit-and-run, failed to lead to any conclusive breakthrough. The case eventually went cold, leading to frustration and the family’s plea to the FBI for outside help.
In 2021, the deaths of Maggie and Paul Murdaugh reignited interest in the Smith case, leading to renewed investigations and independent autopsies. The second autopsy, performed by Dr. Michelle DuPre, showed evidence of blunt force trauma, dispelling earlier reports of a gunshot wound. The case is currently under active investigation by SLED, and a grand jury has been empaneled with subpoenas issued.
Yet, despite the ongoing investigation and the passage of time, Sandy Smith remains hopeful for justice for her son. She has also established a memorial scholarship in honor of Stephen, hoping to support other students in pursuit of their academic dreams. If you have any information on the death of Stephen Smith, email SLED at tips@sled.sc.gov today.