THE grisly double homicide of a high society mother and son in South Carolina has left detectives scrambling for clues and put a national spotlight on a politically powerful family’s checkered past!
Maggie Murdaugh, 52, and her troubled son Paul, 22, were gunned down outside the family hunting lodge in Islandton on June 7. Both were shot multiple times — with a semi-automatic rifle AND a shotgun.
Lawmen believe the homicides could be revenge for pampered Paul’s involvement in a teenaged beauty’s boating death — or an outlaw settling a score with his prosecutor dad, Alex Murdaugh!
Legal eagle Alex — Maggie’s husband — found the bodies around 10 p.m. and called 911 to report the crime, according to a police report.
Deputies from South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) immediately swooped onto the scene after the call.
“Agents continue to interview possible witnesses, collect and process potential evidence, and investigate every lead,” says SLED Chief Mark Keel. Cops initially said Alex was a potential suspect, but discovered he was at a local hospital when the crime occurred.
Alex’s family has ruled the local area like kings, heading the prosecutor’s offices in five counties going back almost 90 years — and insiders say that’s left SLED with a long list of potential enemies.
According to one theory, Paul was the target and his mother was an innocent bystander.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
JAMES EARL JONES' DYING REGRET
Broke Darth Vader turned down piece of Star Wars profits
REBEL VANNA SEEING SAJAK ON THE SLY!
Dishing all the dirt about Wheel & Ryan
TAYLOR & TRAVIS FRANTIC TO PROVE THEY'RE REAL DEAL
Fighting bizarre buzz their romance is just for show
GOSSELIN SON: CRUEL KATE ZIP-TIED ME & LOCKED ME IN CELLAR
THE tragic Jon & Kate Plus 8 feud between reality star mom Kate Gosselin and 20-year-old son Collin has exploded again with his bombshell charge that she cruelly tortured him as a kid — binding him hand and foot and locking him away in a dark basement room like a prisoner of war!
COURT ORDERS DIDDY TO PAY SEX ACCUSER HEFTY $100M
Rapper didn't respond to suit
BRAGGART BITTEN BY WORLD'S MOST POISONOUS SNAKE!
Hospitalized after boasting on video he was in control
RUSSIAN WHALE KILLED AS SPY!
Critter shot multiple times
HOW OUTCAST HARRY SPENDS SPARE TIME
Stressed-out prince takes it very easy
81 ANIMALS DIE IN GUN RAMPAGE
Beast collared hiding by farm
BODY SNATCHER INVADES VEGAS
Caught stealing casket & corpse after beer bender