Key Facts

• On May 13, 2026, the South Carolina Supreme Court overturned Alex Murdaugh’s convictions for killing his wife and son.
• The court ruled that Murdaugh did not receive a fair trial because of the County Clerk of Court Rebecca Hill’s conduct.
• Murdaugh was first found guilty on March 2, 2023, after a six-week trial and sentenced to two life terms in prison.
• The Murdaugh family has held legal and political power in South Carolina for over a century, running a law firm and serving as chief prosecutors for generations.
• Alex Murdaugh was shot in the head in a suspicious incident in September 2021, which was later revealed to be part of a scheme for him to fake his own death.
• Curtis Smith, a handyman and distant cousin who worked for the Murdaugh family, was charged in connection with the staged shooting plan.
• The Murdaugh family estate includes 1,700 acres and two private islands, reflecting their long-held wealth and influence.
• The events have been called the "Murdaugh Mysteries" and have dominated South Carolina news since 2021.