He doesnt deserve people to think that.. 12:30 p.m. MUSC autopsy report: Dr. Erin Presnell begins the autopsy on Stephen. His body was found in the middle of Sandy Run Road on July 8 with deep gashes to the head. However, a pathologist at the Medical University of South Carolina ruled the death caused by "blunt head trauma sustained in a motor vehicle crash," according to the final autopsy report. Proctor told Fox News that was she said was true. They believed he was walking home when the incident occurred, the report said. The key is turned over to HCSO personnel. She said shortly after Stephens death that believes her son was beaten to death and the crime covered up. The Murdaugh case also prompted police to open an investigation into the 2015 death of Stephen Smith, a 19-year-old found dead in the same county, less than 10 miles away. Is Outer Banks based on a true story? No one's going to feel like they're being held accountable if we don't bring attention to it.". . The mother of the 19-year-old Stephen Smith has told news outlets for the past six years that she thought her son was beaten to death and not hit by a vehicle in Hampton County and she. RELATED|Boat Crash Lawsuit: Murdaughs Refuse To Settle, Withhold Financial Records From Victims Family. She has been searching for answers ever since. The victims right arm was covered in blood and agents were unable to see any injuries.. The coroner searches through the victims clothing and located a vehicle key in the victims front left pocket. He was found dead in mysterious circumstances in the middle of Sandy Run Road on July 8, 2015. We've made no secret about what our goal is. He often had car troubles, but they had trouble imagining him walkingin the middle of the road, his family told Inside Edition Digital in an interview. Andrews, who helped raise more than $40,000 for the headstone and for a scholarship in Stephen's name, says she's thankful for all the worldwide support Sandy has received in her fight for answers. All advice, including picks and predictions, is based on individual commentators opinions and not that of Minute Media or its related brands. No they dont they care about protecting themselves.. Mandy Matneyis the news director at FITSNews. 7:28 p.m. SCHP: King calls Moore and tells him that Brock with MAIT would be calling and tells Moore to get in touch with someone from SLED to get them to come out the next day. Stephen's twin sister, Stephanie Smith, remembered the moment the coroner called her home about Stephen's death. It was still unclear at this time if this hole was caused by a projectile. What I ended up finding [was] there were a lot of people who didnt want to assist or communicate with us, he said. One of those deaths? Randy Murdaugh was the second person to call my dad after the coroner," Stephanie told ABC. 9 a.m. SCHP: Booker meets at Peeples Rhoden Funeral Home with Moore, Duncan, Rowell and Burke to examine the body. Even Dr. Erin Presnell, a pathologist at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), didnt give much information to police about what led her to decide a motor vehicle killed Stephen. The gas tank door was open and the gas cap was hanging on the side of the vehicle. Smith was released on bond and now faces six felony charges in the shooting of Alex Murdaugh. Paul Murdaugh,Alex's son and Randy's nephew, pleaded not guilty to multiple felony charges related to Mallory Beach's death. Is Mother and Son Murder Connected to Death of Woman in Drunken Boat Crash. More:Murdaughs killed in double homicide in Colleton County: What We Know Stephens massive head wound along with the lack of other significant injuries on his body stumped investigators on scene. In early June, a sonand mother, both members of a prominent South Carolina family were slain at their family's home in a horrific double murder. (WTOC/Provided) Initial reports indicated he died from blunt force trauma to the head. It was also clear from the report that there was tension between Presnell and SCHP. On July 22, 2015, Proctor visited Presnell at MUSC to get some sort of clarification on the Smith case. All Rights Reserved. Gloria Satterfield, who worked for the Murdaugh family for more than 20 years, died at the Murdaugh home in February 2018. Prior to leaving the scene, agents discussed their findings and completed a walkthrough with Inv. Moore tells him to go to the scene and sit there between 3 and 5 a.m. to document what type of traffic was moving at that time in the morning. According to the investigation file, Buster was rumored to have been linked to Stephen intimately but detectives never proved this connection. No other evidence was located at the scene, the SLED agent wrote. I asked her why she stated that in the report and her answer was because he was found in the road,' Proctor wrote. "As any investigator [does],you go off of the evidence. Want to contact Mandy? "She now has more people than she knows what to do with," says Andrews. The old way of doing business in Hampton does not exist anymore. His car was discovered three miles away with the gas cap off. They found engine oil in the vehicle but could not get the car to start. Todd Proctor, former. There's a bright light being shined on that county. At the time, investigators said it appeared he was killed in a hit-and-run collision while walking. Stephen Smith was 19 when he died in what investigators called a hit-and-run in Hampton County in 2015. Smith was found dead with deep gashes to his head in the middle of a dark Hampton County road on July 8, 2015. Also buried close by is Stephen's brother, who died as a baby. The death of 19-year-old Stephen Smith was originally ruled a hit-and-run in 2015 when his body was found in the middle of a road 15 miles from the Murdaugh hunting cabin. Last Sunday afternoon, family and friends of Stephen Smith, a South Carolina teen who died under mysterious circumstances in 2015, traveled to the Gooding Cemetery in Hampton County, S.C. When asked if theyve had been contacted by a lawyer, the family member tells police that Randy Murdaugh was the second person to call Stephens father after the coroner on the day of Stephens death. In fairness, SLED didnt investigate Stephens case because it was dubiously ruled a hit and run. CLICK HERE. Got something youd like to say in response to one of our articles? Whoever did this to Stephen should go to prison. Earlier this week, FITSNews exclusively reported that South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) opened an investigation into the death of Stephen Smith a Hampton County teenager whose death has been unsolved since 2015. Names and stories of the Murdaugh family surfaced six years ago regarding the death of 19-year-old Stephen Smith, a young gay man found dead in the middle of a lonely rural road with several deep gashes in his head, but investigators said they were never able to directly connect anyone in the family to the incident. David Rowell, of the SCHP, who tells him that Hampton County Sheriff T.C. As if all of the foregoing wasn't wild enough, apparently, information gathered from the Murdaugh double murder investigation has prompted law enforcement to reopen a case regarding the 2015 death of 19-year-old Stephen Smith. The 19-year-old had his skull partially crushed and his shoulder dislocated. So Moore calls Smalls again and gets voicemail. For six years, Smith. He offers to give the officers his phone and take a lie detector test. 4:15 p.m. SCHP: Sgt. Stephens family member didnt seem to believe this at the time. The final autopsy report said that Stephens cause of death was blunt head trauma, motor vehicle crash, pedestrian vs. vehicle. It began June 7, when the pretty, college-sweetheart wife and son of Alex Murdaugh, a prominent and powerful lawyer who knows everyone in town, were brutally gunned down at their hunting lodge in . Hes never been around Stephen., When asked who told her that she said Stephens friend, another kid who she named, and a couple other people.. He was taken to a . According to NewsNation, Stephens mom Sandy is hoping for answers about her sons death during Alex Murdaughs trial. All victims have been submitted by law enforcement or the victims' families. She told FITSNews this week that SLED came to her house to tell her they were opening an investigation. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. Proctor wrote that Presnell spoke in a negative tone and basically called (him) a liar when he said that hed already spoken to Hampton County Coroner Ernie Washington. "Stephen's getting his final resting place honored and recognized," says Andrews. Paul Murdaugh, 22, and his mother Maggie, 52, were found slain at their family's hunting lodge in Islandton on June 7 just after 10 p.m., according to reports. His wallet was inside the car. The Hampton County Coroner's office authorized the autopsy. She had no evidence other than that for the statement being put in the report., Proctor said that he explained to her that law enforcement officers had no evidence of this individual being struck by a vehicle.. She tells him they located Smiths car on US 601 and that the gas cap was off. He tells them to meet him at the funeral home. Six years later, Stephens case is still unsolved. An investigator for the South Carolina Highway Patrol says that he thinks Stephen Smith's body was staged the night of his death in July 2015. Investigators found Smiths car three miles away on the side of Bamberg Highway. That would be Stephen Smith, a gay teenager who was found dead in the street inHampton County. "I know that they're working hard and that this is not a cold case," he says. The case was mysteriously bounced from investigator to investigator without reasons or notification, Sandy Smith wrote in the letter. 11:29 a.m. SLED: Tallon and Burke attend autopsy at MUSC. Two Murdaughs also work for the prominent Hampton, S.C. law firm of Peters, Murdaugh, Parker, Eltzroth and Detrick(PMPED). A 48-year-old man has been sentenced to three-and-a-half years' jail for a hit-and-run crash that left cyclist and Perth university professor Thomas Lyons, with a serious and ongoing brain injury . Cuts and bruises dotted his right hand. They called me back and said they were looking into Stephens case because they have to see if my family is involved in the shooting of Paul and Maggie (Murdaugh), Sandy Smith said. The late Stephen Smith with his mother . The case of Stephen Smith a 19-year-old man from Hampton, S.C. who was found dead in the middle of Sandy Run Road on July 8, 2015. A NEW 20/20 documentary about the mysterious Murdaugh family includes claims by the twin sister of a teenager who died under strange circumstances in rural South Carolina. Stephens life mattered, too.. After interviewing several sources who knew the Murdaugh brothers, SCHP detective Proctormade some significant assessments of the family. The final autopsy report said that Stephens cause of death was blunt head trauma, motor vehicle crash, pedestrian vs. vehicle. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Myth? Email us atexclusive@the-sun.comor call212 416 4552. Rumors and speculation have surrounded Stephen Smith's death on July 8, 2015, when the 19-year-old's body was found on Sandy Run Road in Hampton County with deep gashes to the head just. His body was found in the middle of Sandy Run. Moore is called by Cpl. In the aftermath of her sons death, Sandy said shes learned that there are two different justice systems in the Palmetto State one for people like the Murdaughs and another for everyone else. Got a technical question or a glitch to report? The case of Stephen Smith a 19-year-old man from Hampton, S.C. who was found dead in the middle of Sandy Run Road on July 8, 2015. Austin North height: How tall is the Outer Banks actor? In the summer of 2015, 19-year-old Stephen Smith was found dead in the middle of a rural highway in South Carolina. Like us on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/TheSunUSand follow us from our main Twitter account at@TheSunUS, 2020 THE SUN, US, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | TERMS OF USE | PRIVACY | YOUR AD CHOICES | SITEMAP, Stephen Smith's body was found in the middle of a rural road, Buster, Maggie, Paul and Alex, all members of the prominent Murdaugh family, Mallory Beach died after a boating accident in 2019, Murdaugh familys link to Stephen Smiths death probed in explosive 20/20 doc & teens twin speaks out, Murdaugh family latest - Mallory Beach's parents reveal harrowing moment they 'knew she was dead' in 20/20 documentary, I won a $1.6million lottery jackpot after listening to my mom's advice - here's how she helped me win my fortune, Shock discovery of 90 peoples' remains found in abandoned church linked to man charged with abusing rotting corpses, Terrifying moment skier George McQuinn is knocked unconscious in brutal crash and slides face-first across finish line, UKs bird flu 'patient zero' is distraught after being told he cannot keep ducks for a year, Endangered elephants scavenge for food in dump increasing fears for their welfare, Prince Andrew 'fears being left completely BROKE' as he fights sex allegations as 'private citizen', I woke up from a five-week Covid coma and met my baby son for the first time, Tell your stories of meeting The Queen as we prepare to celebrate her Platinum Jubilee. You go back to the Murdaugh name and their ties in that community, and that dont matter to me What weve done is take that investigation out of that and their reach I dont care what your name is and how much money you got., He then said Im not saying that the Murdaugh boy did it., But if were going to be throwing out names, Im not going to be withholding names, Proctor wrote. Rowell calls later and tells him he could find no debris at all., Altman goes to the scene and calls him back stating he could find nothing.. Todd Proctor, former South Carolina Highway Patrol investigator, told Fox News this week that it looked like Stephens body was placed in the middle of the road. Investigators with the S.C. Highway Patrol (SCHP) received multiple tips in the aftermath of Smiths death linking his untimely demise to the Murdaugh family. Now, police investigating the shooting deaths of. She said there appeared to be missing evidence in the case such as the DNA under Stephens fingernails, the clothes he was wearing, and the rape kit. The investigation was opened "based upon information gathered during the course of the double murder investigation of Paul and Maggie Murdaugh," a SLED spokesperson said. Stephen Smith was 19 when he was found dead on a rural road in Hampton County in 2015. That's not even the end of the story. She stated they told the Sheriff and Coroner and that they didnt believe it to be a gunshot wound. He was an openly gay young man in the small town of Hampton, South Carolina, which wasnt easy, but he made the best of it, his friends told FITSNews. Stephens relative didnt believe the person who said they were dating Stephen and said the family was skeptical of him. Its also unclear if the MAIT team ever examined Stephens phone, which was tossed between agencies before it was finally unlocked by the FBI several years after his death. M.D. SCHP: Moore writes I turned the clothing over to Duncan and after a discussion by all parties as to why this did not appear to be related to a motor vehicle.. 2. Hours later, a pathologist at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) Dr. Erin Presnell ruled that Stephen was killed in a hit-and-run accident, a decision which was met with confusion and skepticism by investigators and those who knew Stephen. What a slap in the face.. At first, when police arrived, they suspected his death was a result of a hit-and-run. According to the autopsy, Greene was responsible for evidence transfer in the case. Murdaugh Murders includes interviews with friends of the family, former and current, who shed light on the patriarch, Alex Murdaugh, and all of the trouble hes caused. We have an open microphone policy here at FITSNews! Sandy mentions that a man at Bi-Lo was giving Stephen trouble, but they became friends. Smith died on a rural road in Hampton County in 2015, in what was ruled a hit-and-run. According to our sources, all of the boat crash survivors and Beachs family members voluntarily submitted to questioning and volunteered to provide their DNA as a part of the double homicide investigation. The key located in the victims pocket was used to open the vehicle. Washington tells him its been taken to the funeral home per the familys wishes at the time of the death notification.. SLED is continuing to cast a wide net as it looks to exclude individuals in connection with the double homicidethat took place at the Murdaughs 1,700-acre hunting property located near Islandton, S.C. on the evening of June 7, 2021. A lie detector test response to one of our articles completed a with! Do n't bring attention to it. `` submitted by law enforcement or the victims & # ;... By is Stephen 's death ).setAttribute ( `` ak_js_1 '' ) (... 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