Hampton man was awaiting trial for 2019 death of Mallory Beach
From staff reports
The man charged in the 2019 boat crash that killed 19-year-old Mallory Beach and his mother were found shot to death Monday night at their family’s Colleton County home, according to media reports.
Paul Murdaugh, 22, and Maggie Murdaugh, 52, were reportedly shot multiple times.
A release from the Colleton County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday confirmed the shooting.
“SLED is investigating the shooting death of two Colleton County residents,” The release said. “Colleton deputies responded to 4147 Moselle Road after receiving a 911 calling stating two people were dead. The call came in around 10 p.m. Monday, June 7. Arriving deputies observed two people sustaining at least one gunshot wound.
“SLED is the leading agency on this case and is working closely with the Colleton Sheriff’s Office on this investigation.”
The Hampton County law firm Peters, Murdaugh, Parker, Eltzroth and Detrick (PMPED) confirmed the identities of the mother and son in a message on their Facebook page.
“The Murdaugh Family and PMPED wish to thank everyone for the many calls and condolences in the aftermath of the deaths of Maggie and Paul Murdaugh,” the since-removed post said. “We ask for your continued patience and prayers through this tragic time.”
The Murdaugh family, one of the most influential families in the Lowcountry, has been affiliated with the PMPED law firm for more than 100 years, and a Murdaugh was solicitor of the S.C. 14th Judicial Circuit from 1920 to 2006.
Paul Murdaugh was facing felony charges in connection to the fatal boat crash in February 2019 that killed 19-year-old Mallory Beach.
Murdaugh and Beach were among six people thrown from the boat when it crashed into a piling on Archers Creek near Parris Island on Feb. 24, 2019. Beach’s body was found one week later on March 3.
Murdaugh was eventually charged with one count of boating under the influence causing death and two counts of boating under the influence causing great bodily injury in connection to the boat crash. He pleaded not guilty to the charges in May, 2019.
