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The Murdaugh murders occurred at the Moselle estate in Colleton County, South Carolina. The crime rocked the country and also shook the reputation of the law family, which was among the most powerful in the state.
On the evening of June 7, 2021, the bodies of Maggie Murdaugh, 52, and her son Paul, 22, were found near the dog kennels on the property. Both were killed with a shotgun.
The shocking case motivated Hulu's true crime series Murdaugh: Death in the Family. The series presents the bloody incident, the detective work, and the intense media attention that followed.
Initially, the homicides were seen as a local community tragedy. The crimes, however, later became a nationwide phenomenon. Police discovered that the family was involved in scandals, financial crimes, and suspicious deaths.
The Hulu series examines the crime scene, the community, and the aftermath in close detail.
Where were the Murdaugh murders carried out?
The Murdaugh murders occurred at Moselle, a massive 1,770-acre property located at 4147 Moselle Road, Islandton, South Carolina, in Colleton County.
On June 7, 2021, they found Maggie and Paul’s bodies were found at a hunting spot in the woods, near the Salkehatchie River, surrounded by fields, forests, and marshes.
The kennels played a crucial role in the trial against Alex Murdaugh, who was later found guilty of the double murder in 2023. During the trial, the jury visited the crime scene to see the property layout, including the kennels, a feed shed, and a house built in 2011.
The property, later referred to as Cross Swamp Farm, was sold in 2023 for $3.9 million to settle civil lawsuits involving the Murdaugh family. Previously a peaceful hunting plantation, Moselle now represents the site of South Carolina's infamous crime.
Explaining the Murdaugh murders: What actually went down?
The Murdaugh murders occurred at the family homestead in Colleton County, South Carolina, on June 7, 2021. The estate had been a retreat for the Murdaugh family, who served as prosecutors in the Lowcountry for three generations.
According to ABC News, the bodies were found lying close to the dog houses, about 400 yards from the main building.
Paul was shot twice with a shotgun, once in the chest and once in the head. Maggie was shot five times with a .300 Blackout rifle, two shots at close range aimed at her head.
Around 10:07 at night, Alex Murdaugh, Paul’s dad and Maggie’s husband, called 911, stating that he had just returned from visiting his mother in Varnville and discovered the bodies. About an hour later, at 11 p.m., officers from Colleton County and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) arrived, verified a double homicide, and began their investigation.
Forensic evidence, including an 8:44 p.m. Snapchat video of Paul showing Alex at the kennels just minutes before the killings, contradicted his account to the police. This evidence became a cornerstone of the prosecution.
Alex Murdaugh was indicted in July 2022 for the deaths of his wife and son. His trial in Walterboro, South Carolina, in 2023 included testimony from over 70 witnesses, and the jury visited the Moselle property during deliberations.
Earlier, his brother, Randolph "Randy" Murdaugh, said on Good Morning America:
“My brother loved Maggie and loved Paul like nothing else on this earth, just like he loves Buster. So there’s no possible way he could have anything to do with this, I can assure you.”
The prosecution suggested that the killer attempted to mislead the public and the police to hide his growing financial fraud and addiction to painkillers.
Nevertheless, after less than three hours of deliberation, the jury found Alex Murdaugh guilty of the murders. He was sentenced to life imprisonment without parole for two consecutive life terms.
Once the legal proceedings concluded, the Moselle estate came to symbolize deception and downfall. In 2023, it was sold for $3.9 million as part of the liquidation of Murdaugh's assets following civil lawsuits.
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Lead prosecutor Creighton Waters told NBC:
"Let this be a warning: No matter who you are, if you break the law, the truth will come out and you will be brought to justice."
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