What happened to Paul Murdaugh? Details on Netflix's Murdaugh Murders: A Southern Scandal explored

The Murdaugh family ruled South Carolina’s legal landscape for over a century. Their influence stretched across courtrooms and communities, making their fall from grace all the more dramatic. Allegations of corruption, fraud, and murder shattered this once-powerful dynasty.

On June 7, 2021, tragedy struck the Murdaugh family’s hunting lodge in Islandton, South Carolina. Alex Murdaugh, a lawyer, and the family patriarch discovered the bodies of his wife, Maggie, and his 22-year-old son, Paul. Both had been shot, Paul in the feeding room of the dog kennels and Maggie outside.

Paul, the youngest child of Alex and Maggie Murdaugh, epitomized the family’s privileged lifestyle. However, life wasn’t as picture-perfect as it seemed. Troubling behavior and hidden scandals hinted at cracks in the family’s polished image. Paul was also involved in the death of a 19-year-old girl in 2019 in an accident and was accused of recklessly crashing a boat under the influence of alcohol.

Who was responsible?

Paul was shot twice, according to forensic experts. The first shot hit his chest and arm but wasn’t fatal. The second shot, aimed at his shoulder and head, caused instant death.

Maggie was found outside the kennels, killed by a different weapon. Investigators believe both an AR-15-style rifle and a shotgun were used in the murders. Despite exhaustive searches, neither weapon has been recovered.

The case against Alex Murdaugh relied heavily on circumstantial evidence and testimonies. In June 2022, Alex was charged with two counts of murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. He pleaded not guilty.

Body-cam footage from the night of the murders
Testimonies from forensic experts and investigators
Evidence of Alex’s financial crimes suggests a possible motive to divert attention

Prosecutors argued that Alex killed his wife and son to hide his financial misconduct. The timeline of events, combined with expert testimonies, painted a grim picture of deceit and desperation.

Alex’s lawyers maintained his innocence, questioning the reliability of the evidence. They highlighted the lack of direct proof linking Alex to the murders.

After a six-week trial, the jury found Alex Murdaugh guilty of both murders on March 2, 2023. He received consecutive life sentences. The trial’s emotional conclusion saw Alex’s surviving son, Buster, in tears.

The true-crime series shed light on the family’s troubled history and the devastating impact of the murders. Season 2 goes beyond the crime, capturing the courtroom drama and Alex’s attempts to evade justice.

Curtis Edward Smith, a friend of Alex, revealed in the series that he allegedly asked him to stage a fatal shooting. This confession added another layer of complexity to an already tangled case.