The Murder Murder story begins with the 100-year-old papal dynasty in Hampton, South Carolina, falling into the hands of fourth-generation lawyer Alex Murdoh.
But in June 2021, when Alex called authorities after discovering his wife, Maggie Murdow, and youngest son, Paul Murdow, were shot dead at a 1,770-acre hunting lodge at 4147 Moselle Road, Islandton. , which took a century to build, collapsed. South Carolina.
These crimes have led to a series of revelations about the family, and HBO Max has unraveled them in a new true crime documentary. Lowlands: Murdo dynasty, aired on November 3.Then follows another true-crime series based on a former prestigious family Murder Murders: A Scandal in the South It is set to release on Netflix on February 22nd.
Image Credit: Courtesy of Maggie Murdaugh via Facebook.
Now, in the same court where generations of the Murdow family made their laws, Alex be tried for murderjury selection will begin on January 23rd.
Keep scrolling to find out more about the case and the Murdo family.
Who is the Murdo family?
The Murdo family began in South Carolina at the turn of the century, State Prominent Attorney decades. Starting with Alex Murdau’s great-grandfather Randolph Murdau Sr. Peters Murdau Parker Erturos & Detrick In 1910, generations of his family continue to work at the company, including son Randolph “Buster” Murdow II, grandson Randolph Murdow III, and great-grandchildren Randolph “Randy” Murdau IV and Alex Murdau. .
The company has been successful in personal injury cases by taking advantage of South Carolina law, which allows lawsuits to be filed in any county, not where an incident may have occurred. 2004’s List of Judicial HellHowever, this has made Murdow’s group the “go-to” attorneys in the county.
Randolph Sr. also became the first attorney (or district attorney) elected to the 14th Circuit Court (District) in 1920. Randolph Sr. He played the role for twenty years until his death. His son, Randolph “Buster” Murdoh II, was elected to the next position. From 1986 he worked until 2006, when his son Randolph his Murdoh III took over.
The Murdow family has served as a solicitor in South Carolina for 86 consecutive years. He led the district’s criminal prosecution, and from 1920 until 2006 he played a key role in deciding which cases (and when) would be prosecuted.
What Happened to Paul and Maggie Murdau?
Maggie and Paul Murdau were shot dead on June 7, 2021. Alex Murdau claimed he called 911 around 10 p.m. and found the body. However, the coroner found the two dead between 9:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. NPRand they were shot with different weapons—Maggie with an assault rifle and Paul with a shotgun.
In October 2021, Alex was named as a key person in the case, but his attorney denied the allegations and said he had no criminal motive. people.
according to NBC Newsaccording to sources close to the investigation, authorities found cell phone video evidence showing Alex to be at the scene of the crime.
On July 14, 2022, he was indicted by a grand jury in connection with the murders of Paul and Maggie. He was charged with two counts of murder and possession of a weapon during his two violent crimes.
Alex Murdau’s lawyers are claiming his innocence.
Image Credit: Courtesy of Maggie Murdaugh via Facebook.
What other crimes were uncovered after the murders of the Murdo family?
When investigators investigated the deaths of a mother and son, they discovered other unsolved crimes related to the Murdow family.
2 years ago February 2019, died at the youngest age Son Paul, 22 years old Involved in a boat crash, my friend Mallory Beach was thrown from the boat and died. Various eyewitnesses say Paul was drunk driving the boat, but previous testimony NBC documentary about peacockskey evidence of the incident was lost.
Paul was charged with one count of intoxicated boating and two counts of bodily injury, but people suggested he received special treatment thanks to his family heritage. and a date for his trial was never set. Per capita.
Additionally, two weeks after the two murders in June 2021, the state reopened an investigation into the 2015 case of a man named Stephen Smith who was found dead by the side of the road.
South Carolina Department of Law Enforcement (SLED) It does not disclose what evidence prompted them to reopen the case. NPR, Murdoh’s name came up in connection with the incident. Sources speculate that Alex Murdau’s eldest son, Buster Murdoh, who also worked for his family law firm, had an affair with Smith. daily mail.
Additionally, Smith’s death was ruled a hit-and-run, but there was a gunshot wound above his right eye, and according to the Daily Mail, his injuries were not consistent with vehicular trauma.
Buster is not named as a person of interest in Smith’s death.
What happened to Gloria Satterfield?
In addition to Smith’s death, SLED began investigating another case involving the Murdo family. In 2018, the family’s longtime housekeeper, Gloria Satterfield, died after Maggie Murdau called 911, claiming Satterfield fell down the stairs.Note that Paul was present during the call. it was done.
Satterfield was the family’s longtime caretaker, according to a source featured in the Discovery + documentary. Murdo Murders: Deadly Dynastyshe told several people that Paul kills small animals and often disregards authority.
Her cause of death remains unknown.
At the funeral, Alex approached the Satterfield sons and said that there had been an accident on his property and that he was going to sue himself for wrongful death so the sons could receive insurance money. new york times.
With all legalities handled by Alex, the sons were told to wait for a settlement.
Alex and his insurance company reached a $4.3 million settlement in the months after Satterfield’s death, but Satterfield’s family didn’t. See Dime.
Satterfield’s sons filed a lawsuit against Alex Murdaugh in September 2021, and SLED decided to exhume the body for an autopsy in June 2022, the sources said. WCSC in South CarolinaThat same month, Alex agreed to pay the Satterfield family $4.3 million.
Where is Murdo Law Office currently located?
The alleged misappropriation of funds in a wrongful death lawsuit uncovered various other financial crimes, including Alex stealing millions of dollars from a client and his family law firm. new york times.
He was then kicked out by his partner in September 2021, just three months after the double murder. The company will change its name to Parker Law Group, LLP in January 2021, according to the company. WOTC South Carolina.
Alex has also been indefinitely stripped of being a South Carolina attorney and his name has been removed from the firm once known as “Murdo Law Firm.”
What Happened to Alex Murdau?
The next day, Alex is shot in the head while changing a tire on the side of the road after being kicked out of the company. His gunshot wounds were minor and he was able to call for help.
Days after being shot, he checked into a rehab facility for an opioid addiction. It was there that he admitted to a lawyer that he had hired Curtis Eddie Smith to kill him so his son Buster could collect $10 million in insurance proceeds.
On September 16, 2021, he turned himself in to Hampton County law enforcement in connection with a hired suicide scam. people.
Then, on October 14, 2021, Alex was arrested on felony charges for misappropriating millions of dollars from the Satterfield estate and acquiring the property under false pretenses. NPRand in the months that followed received dozens of indictments for numerous financial crimes and deaths.
He was charged with murder for murdering his wife and son in July 2022.
Image credit: Tracy Glantz/The Island Packet/Tribune News Service via Getty Images
Where are the Murdos now?
Alex Murdau is currently in prison and is set to face trial in June 2021 for murdering his son Paul and wife Maggie in January. He could face 30 years in prison and may be eligible for the death penalty. United States of America today.
Murdow faces a total of 90 counts, many of which include financial crimes such as theft from a family law firm, drug cartel money laundering, and insurance fraud.
As for the rest of the Murdoh family that survived, the eldest son Son Buster was last reported to be “not doing well at all” since his father was arrested for double murder, sources said. people July 2022.
Despite previously working for his family’s law firm, Buster No involvement with the rebranded Parker Law Group.
Meanwhile, Alex’s brother Randy is still at work. lawyer at the now renamed Parker Law Firm. He condemned Alex’s actions and claimed he was not involved in the mishandling of the company’s funds. people September 2021.
Randy too sue Alex for thousands of unpaid loans.
What is the Murdo family worth?
It’s unclear exactly how much wealth the Murdow family once had, but some accounts and properties have been found to be worth millions.
The court released details of Murdoh’s assets when he was asked to bail $7 million on 51 counts of crimes. greenville news.
Additionally, the court found retirement accounts worth $2.1 million to $2.2 million and IRA retirement funds worth $350,000 to $400,000.
He was also to receive an undisclosed sum in trust following the death of his father, Randolph Murdau III, in June 2021.
Additionally, the family hunting lodge where Paul and Maggie were killed has been listed for February 2022. $3.9 million.
