Susan Smith became a household name when it came to light that she killed her two young sons. The drama has sent a shock through South Carolina, where Alex Murdaugh and his family have dominated the legal profession in a rural swath of the state for more than a century. On March 2, a jury convicted Mr. Murdaugh of both murders, and a judge sentenced him to life in prison. He was sentenced to consecutive life sentences. I want you to shoot me in the back of the head, Curtis Edward Smith recalled Mr. Murdaugh telling him. Dallen tied a Radio Shack employee Jonathan Lemuel Lara to a chair and stabbed him in the neck with a screwdriver in the back room on June 26, 1999. He was sent to a reform school where he was raped and attacked until he was 18. March 21, 2023: Stephen Smith probe now a homicide. Because she was trying to gain the love of a rich gentleman who didn't want children. I have made a lot of decisions that I truly regret. "I love my law firm family and also love Alex as my brother. On Oct. 25, 1994, Smith told law enforcement officials she was stopped at a red light at an intersection on Main Street in the town of Union, when a black man forced her out of the car at gunpoint and drove off with her two small sons in the back. I will continue to pursue my client's interests with the highest degree of honesty and integrity, as I always have," he said. ", Oct. 15, 2021: Lawyer said Murdaugh had drugs in his system day he was shot. Its Hampton headquarters, housed in a red-brick Colonial Revival building, is second in grandeur only to the nearby county courthouse. Todd Kohlhepp was born in Spartanburg County, South Carolina, and had a dysfunctional childhood, living with his abusive grandfather after his parents divorced. A picture of Quincy in trial by the Blade-The Blade. GARDNER, Reinaldo Javier ", "His resignation came after the discovery by PMPED that Alex misappropriated funds in violation of PMPED standards and policies. He said the Murdaughs told the family that she had tripped over their dogs. A police car at a crime scen by Cottonbro Studio-Pexels. Souers, a rising junior from St. Louis, was majoring in civil engineering and was known for her charity work. We sell limited edition hand drawn serial killer shirts and horror apparel. Few details were released about the attack, and no arrests were made for more than a year. Get more stories delivered right to your email. Lawyers representing Ms. Smith said they would seek a court order approving the exhumation. But, death row couldn't keep him from killing and September 2, 1982, Pee Wee killed another inmate earning him the title, "Meanest Man in America". Today, he knows that's not true. Her body was found in Saluda County where Bell had dumped her and had instructed the police where to find the body. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. In this June 11, 2021, file photo, Buster Murdaugh, center, receives a hug in the rain during the funeral service for his brother, Paul, and mother, Maggie, in Hampton, S.C. Kacen Bayless/The Island Packet via AP, FILE. The following 33 pages are in this category, out of 33 total. "Since early September the families are dealing with the betrayal of trust and that their loved one's death was used as a vehicle to enrich others over the clients. We have no knowledge at all of Buster or the Murdaughs having anything to do with this right now, he said. Mr. Smith was charged with aggravated assault, assisting in a suicide attempt and insurance fraud. Contributing: State staff writers, The Greenville News, The Associated Press. A grand jury indicted Paul Murdaugh on a charge of boating under the influence causing death, but he was killed before he had an opportunity to stand trial. Buster Murdaugh, Alex Murdaughs surviving son, pleaded with people to stop sharing vicious rumors that he had some involvement in Mr. Smiths death; there is no evidence to suggest he did. In 2016, nearly 40 percent of murder and . June 17, 2021: Alex Murdaugh's brothers speak on "Good Morning America". It was initially investigated as a possible shooting, then it was considered to be a hit and run. Malakia Logan, Greenwood, SC Robert Conley/Flickr It happened May 15, 1988, somewhere between the small park that was just 300 yards away from the apartment complex and her door. Satterfield's family members, who have alleged that Alex Murdaugh stole more than $4 million in insurance settlements for her death, called the development "bittersweet" and a "very good start to holding everyone accountable. The four people that he killed include his employees friend at a Texas Roadhouse, a homeless man in Colombia whom he shot but the man survived the gunshot and the other two he killed during a gas station robbery. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. Debra May Helmick, 9, was abducted outside of her Richland County home. Her lie about a black man hijacking her car caused ripples of racial anger for decades. A family spokesperson told ABC News at the time that he was changing a tire when a car passed him. In 1991 he was sentenced to death and put to death by way of the electric chair. She loves to tackle her dreams head on and takes life by storm. During that time, these individuals took advantage of his addiction and his ability to pay substantial funds for illegal drugs. The other crime was Margaret Peg Cuttino who went missing and later on her body was found 10 miles away from where she was last seen. Despite a recent influx of newcomers, South Carolina retains some of its old Southern insularity and traditions. Pee Wee was in and out of jail his entire life until he was finally caught for good November 14, 1975. Sept. 13, 2021: SLED investigates missing money from law firm Lee Roy aka Gaffney Strangler killed a total of 4 people that is 2 women and 2 girls one of them being a 14-year-old girl. Well take a look at the crimes of: Donald Gaskins was born in 1933 in Southern Florence County, South Carolina. At the time Paul Murdaugh was awaiting trial for the deadly boat crash. Mr. Murdaugh had told the authorities that he discovered their bodies near some dog kennels at the familys isolated home in Islandton, a rural hamlet about 65 miles west of Charleston. She now rests in Potter's Field near Old City Jail in Charleston, SC. He was given the nickname Pee Wee Gaskins at an early age due to his small body frame. Authorities linked a total of 14 murders to Gaskins, more than any other man in South Carolina. Update: On June 5, 1998, Henry Wallace and his former prison nurse, Rebecca Torrijas, were married. Since then, there have been curveballs in the investigation -- including Alex Murdaugh's alleged money misuse that led to his disbarment, an admitted opioid addiction, an assisted-suicide attempt involving an alleged $10 million insurance fraud scheme and a high-profile murder trial. She was found dead by a roommate. "My brother loved Maggie and loved Paul like nothing else on this earth, just like he loves Buster," Randy said, naming Alex's other son. He was convicted of snatching Shari Smith, 17, while she checked the mailbox at her familys Red Bank home. Victims included a pregnant mother, a 2-year-old girl and four teenagers. Officers with the Colleton County Sheriffs Office wrote in reports that they had discovered several shell casings and had called a tow truck company to the scene. The case will be prosecuted by the attorney general's office. Last month, however, he was arrested on charges related to the faked suicide attempt. Quincy was sentenced to death and the execution was to be done in 2010 but the South Carolina Supreme Court announced the stay of his execution and they set new dates. We also consulted and quoted from late FMU professor Katharine Bolings nonfiction account of the same family, A Piece of the Foxs Hide, along with newspaper articles from the day, to tell the story of the Bighams. After the killing of Alex Murdaughs wife and son, investigators began re-examining yet another mysterious death associated with the family: that of Gloria Satterfield, the housekeeper and nanny who had worked for a quarter-century for the Murdaugh family. For the last 20 years, there have been many people feeding his addiction to opioids. Early one morning in February 2018, Ms. Satterfield fell on the front stairs of the Murdaughs isolated house. The. Dating back to the 1500's, here are seven of the most infamous unsolved mysteries in North Carolina. He was convicted in one of those murders and sentenced to death and remains imprisoned in Georgia. Souers was a student from St Louis and was studying civil engineering as well as participating in charity work. June 25, 2021: Murdaugh family announces $100,000 reward for information. Richard Valenti: The Folly Beach man was convicted of killing two girls Sherri Jan Clark, 14, and Alexis Ann Latimer, 13. Bell kept the dark secrets of why he committed murder. Lee Roy Martin aka The Gaffney Strangler Connor Cook, a lifelong friend of Pauls who had also been on the boat, filed another lawsuit last month, accusing Mr. Murdaugh and others of trying to frame him for the boat crash. Unsolved Murdaugh Murders Expose Years of South Carolina Mysteries, https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/12/us/alex-murdaugh-murders-south-carolina.html. He killed his victims by shooting, stabbing, drowning and strangling them. "He has a long-term Oxycontin opiate addiction that put him in a position where he did those stupid and illegal things.". Soon, he said, Mr. Murdaugh drove by and honked his horn for Mr. Smith to follow him. All five victims were shot with the same gun. Another whose trial is just getting under way Dylann Roof, charged in the killings of nine church-goers in Charleston also could be added to that list if hes found guilty. The best hidden gems and little known destinations - straight to your inbox. The investigative authorities believe that there may be more victims out there. Margaret and Paul Murdaugh were found dead near dog kennels at the family's home near Islandton, South Carolina, police said. Quincys death sentence was overturned on 26th July 2022. Wayne Williams: He was convicted in 1982 of killing two of 29 young Atlanta blacks who disappeared over two years. Later on, on December 22, 1999, Dallen killed a 30-year-old flower shop clerk, Karen Moore Hayden by slitting her throat and leaving her face down in a back storage room and on December 1999 he killed Sandi Roberts Ott and her ex-husband Timoth Ott in Easley. Bland. No connection to the Murdaugh family was ever identified, though investigators say they are now taking a fresh look. His lawyer, Richard A. Harpootlian, a Democratic state senator, said Mr. Murdaugh was checking into rehab for an oxycodone addiction. Todd Kohlhepp, convicted of killing seven people, is considered one of the South's most notorious serial killers. SLED announced the arrest of Curtis Edward Smith, 61, in connection with the shooting incident involving Alex Murdaugh on Sept. 4 in Hampton County. 1. He was taken to a hospital, but his story soon began to fall apart. The South Carolina female serial killer was found guilty and convicted on two counts of murder and sentenced to a life sentence. Joseph Martin Luther He was the fourth person to die in the electric chair after reinstatement of the death penalty in South Carolina. Sep 9, 2015. Lavinia Fisher (1793-February 18, 1820) Linda Newbrough Is it in bad taste to boast the fact that South Carolina was home to the first female serial killer? I'm resigning from my law firm and entering rehab after a long battle that has been exacerbated by these murders. He had pleaded not guilty to all charges and faced up to 25 years in prison if convicted. Patrick Tracy Burris: He shot five people to death in Cherokee County in the summer of 2009. Sept. 4, 2021: Murdaugh calls 911 saying he was shot. Dec. 16, 2022: Alex Murdaugh indicted on tax evasion. For nearly 90 years and across three generations, the post of chief prosecutor for five counties around Hampton was held by a Murdaugh. When Mr. Murdaugh moved as if he was going to shoot himself in the head, he said, Mr. Smith grabbed his arm and twisted it behind his back. Satterfield reportedly died after a falling accident in the Murdaugh family home in February 2018, the lawsuit states. After killing his family, Lawson walked into the nearby woods and shot himself to . Join the creepiest email list you've ever been on. Despite the Murdaugh familys account, her death was ruled natural on her death certificate, the result of a brain bleed. His first victim was Tashonda Bethea in 1990, but he was never charged with her murder. Alex Murdaugh, the prominent South Carolina lawyer whose wife and son were shot to death months ago in an unsolved murder mystery that has captivated the state and confounded the police . He was sentenced to death and executed by way of the electric chair in 1991. Newberry woman's murderer denied parole after 20 years. Are they close, maam?, After law enforcement officers arrived, Mr. Murdaugh told them that his son Paul had been getting threats because of a fatal boat wreck he had been involved in a couple of years earlier. All these killings were done between 1967 and 1968. After her funeral, Mr. Murdaugh introduced her two adult sons to a lawyer who he said would help them resolve the issues around their mothers death, but the sons said in a recent lawsuit that they did not know that the lawyer, Cory Fleming, was a close friend of Mr. Murdaughs. Below are the 10 Famous Murders in North Carolina: 1. The Peachoid, as any fan of "House of Cards" will. And for even longer, the law firm associated with the Murdaugh family has been one of the states leading tort litigation firms. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. We'll let you know the identity of some of the most active and famous South Carolina serial killers, and what makes them want to kill. A male driver in a blue pickup asked him if he had car troubles, as soon as Alex replied, he was shot. She first made the headlines on October 25, 1994, when she claimed that she was the victim of a black man hijacking her in her car and taking off with her sons still strapped in their seats. Read Next: 13 Famous Teen Murderers & Killers. Tiffany was found dead by her roommate. Some say that she gave the gentlemen poisoned Oleander tea before bedtime, others argue that she gave them just a sleep agent and then her husband would stab them to death. Is it in bad taste to boast the fact that South Carolina was home to the first female serial killer? The Smith family told the police that Alex Murdaughs brother, a partner in the Murdaugh law firm, had reached out and offered to represent the family for free, but it did not take him up on the offer. A police chief in 2005 reopened the cases in the deaths of four of the children, believing Williams was not responsible for the slayings. In the civil lawsuit, Satterfield's surviving sons claimed Alex Murdaugh approached them after she died, proposing the sons sue him so they would get a life insurance settlement on their mother's behalf, the complaint states. We'll take a look at the crimes of: Donald Gaskins Lee Roy Martin Todd Kohlhepp Patrick Tracy Burris Susan Smith ( Source) Donald Gaskins Donald Gaskins was born in 1933 in Southern Florence County, South Carolina. What is known is that around the age of 30, he became the "Gaffney Strangler". That is one of the questions investigators are asking now as they examine not only the killing of Mr. Murdaughs wife and son, but at least three other deaths that preceded that tragedy. Two days later, Mr. Murdaugh issued a statement apologizing to his family, friends and colleagues and said he was entering rehab for an addiction to painkillers. Well-known in the Palmetto state for being part of a longtime legal dynasty, Murdaugh exploded onto the national scene after June 7, when he came home to find his wife, Maggie Murdaugh, 52, and . and violence in the state over the last few years. In 1972, he was stabbed to death in his cell. I am immensely sorry to everyone I've hurt including my family, friends and colleagues. SLED said in a statement at the time that he was shot on Old Salkehatchie Road near Varnville,South Carolina. From staff reports. Susan Smith was born in 1971, in Union, South Carolina, and had a troubled upbringing with sexual abuse and her father's suicide. I just love my son, and since I couldnt protect him, Im going to fight for him, Sandy Smith said at a news conference. Alex is not without fault but he is just one of many whose life has been devastated by opioid addiction," the lawyers' statement continued. In 1972, he was stabbed to death in his cell. He was given nine consecutive life sentences in prison after he pleaded guilty to state murder charges. Police files have suggested that Mr. Smith ran out of gas on the side of the road several miles away from where his body was found. You can also listen to it on the official Carolina True Crime page. Sept. 8, 2021: Brother "shocked" by Murdaugh allegations; Alex Murdaugh's law license suspended, Alex Murdaugh's older brother Randy Murdaugh, who is also still employed by the firm, released a statement saying he was "shocked" to learn of his brother's "settling of money," as well as "drug addiction.". The scrutiny on Mr. Murdaugh has spawned several more investigations into three previous deaths in proximity to the family, and Mr. Murdaugh has also been charged with concocting a bizarre scheme to stage his own suicide to look like a murder after being pushed out of his law firm. After Margarets disappearance, William drove to a service station and shot Joe fletcher who was an employee at the service station and he also stole $78 from the cash register. SLED then said they were opening the investigation into Satterfield's death at the request of the Hampton County Coroner's Office and due to information gathered during the course of other ongoing investigations involving AlexMurdaugh.