Family of Teen Found Dead Near Murdaugh Estate Requests Independent Autopsy

The family of Stephen Smith, a teenager found dead on a rural road in South Carolina in 2015, is requesting an independent autopsy amid inquiries into other deaths linked to the Murdaugh family.

Smith’s body was discovered about 15 miles from the property owned by lawyer Alex Murdaugh, where he was later convicted of the murders of his wife and son in June 2021.

Following the conviction, questions have arisen about other deaths linked to the Murdaugh family. A GoFundMe campaign has raised over $56,000 to exhum Smith’s body and conduct an independent autopsy. Sandy Smith, Stephen’s mother, expressed her gratitude to donors and announced that the family would continue to pursue justice for Stephen.

While no member of the Murdaugh family has ever been publicly linked to Stephen’s death, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division opened an inquiry into the case during the Murdaugh murder investigation. Stephen’s death has also been the subject of several documentaries, as he was reportedly friends with Alex Murdaugh’s oldest son, Buster.

(Read Also: South Carolina House approves hate crime bill named after Charleston shooting victim)

The request for an independent autopsy reflects the family’s determination to uncover the truth about Stephen’s death and ensure that justice is served. As the investigation into the Murdaugh family’s potential involvement in Stephen’s death continues, the case has become a symbol of the ongoing struggle for justice and accountability in South Carolina.