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. 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. FITSNews obtained all audio from the investigation file. 3:57:43 a.m. Hampton County Communications: A man called 911 to report seeing a white male lying in the middle of Sandy Run Road. His body was found in the middle of Sandy Run. "As any investigator [does],you go off of the evidence. To submit your loved one for . According to Live 5 News, the Murdaugh family is mentioned several times in the investigative files of Stephen Smith, who died by hit-and-run in July 2015. SCHP: Allen tells Duncan and SCHP that they are not needed at the autopsy, according to SLED and HCSO. Proctor also wrote in his report that Greene was fired sometime between July 22 August 18 2019. SCHP detectives noted the cars gas cap was unscrewed and hanging outside of the gas cap door. 4:07 a.m. HCSO: Michael Bridges, of the Hampton County Sheriffs Office, responds to scene first (although there are conflicting reports about what time he arrived). He would have seen headlights coming and got off the road. "Stephen's getting his final resting place honored and recognized," says Andrews. Stay tuned for part two of the investigation file. 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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. 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.. "Here she is seven years later, still hanging in there, still going strong, still ready to do whatever it takes to find the answers," Smith family attorney Mike Hemlepp tells PEOPLE. 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. She was hoping to hear that they had opened a case in her sons unsolved death. No homicide investigation was ever opened, and no referral was ever made to the agency in the case. After his autopsy, however, Smith's death was ruled a hit-and-run. The battery was functional, however the vehicle would not start., 9:40 a.m. SLED: Agents leave the scene of the car after doing a walk-through with Singleton and Jarrell. At the time, her death was classified as an accidental slip and fall, but authorities have reopened the investigation. What's the latest update on Stephen Smith's murder? His death was investigated by the South Carolina Department of Public Safety She said Stephen had been recently cutting school, which was unusual for him. Submit your letter to the editor (or guest column) via email HERE. CLICK HERE. Now, police investigating the shooting deaths of. She was devastated to hear the news that she and her family were now being viewed as possible persons of interest in the savage slayings last Monday at Moselle the Murdaugh family hunting lodge in Colleton county. Washington tells him its been taken to the funeral home per the familys wishes at the time of the death notification.. Stephens relative tells him that she just officially left the house for the first time since Stephens death the day before and went to the store and a bunch of people kept coming up to her saying Did you know the Murdaugh Boys are behind it, saying Buster Murdaugh the, one we went to school with did it, and some of his friends.. 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. 10:30 a.m. SCHP: Moore notes that Washington told him that this is when Joel and Sandy Smith were notified of their sons death. Upon entering the scene, agents observed that the scene was secured by HCSO personnel and yellow barrier tape, the SLED agent wrote. He stated he would have to go with the doctors ruling, Moore wrote. He doesnt deserve that. The killings also led the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division to open a new inquiry into the unsolved death of Stephen Smith, a 19-year-old whose body was found on a rural road in the area in . Mallory and Paul were part of a group of six teenagers who went out on the boat in 2019. And when you dont have enough evidence to compel someone legally to speak with you you have to go off their willingness to speak to you.. They call him back to tell him they didnt find anything. No one should expect to make money from the picks and predictions discussed on this website. A wooden memorial erected for Stephen Nicholas Smith, 19, who was found dead on a country road in 2015. His body was found in the middle of Sandy Run Road on July 8 with deep gashes to the head. Keep in mind, this isyearsbefore Paul Murdaugh was charged with three felonies in the boat crash that killed Mallory Beach. She currently lives on Hilton Head Island where she enjoys beach life. Prior to leaving the scene, agents discussed their findings and completed a walkthrough with Inv. His loosely tied shoes were still on and his clothes appeared untouched. Murdaugh will face three charges in the shooting, but with several ongoing investigations and. Sandy says that Stephen was smart and a study person who was typically serious about school. Then, the coroner ruled the death a shooting homicide forcing investigators to search the rural road carved between a tree line and a corn field. And now a retired South Carolina state trooper, who led the investigation into Smiths death, told Fox News he had long suspected the case to have been a murder. However, Randy said in the 20/20 documentary that he knew of "no connection whatsoever" between the Murdaugh family and Stephen Smiths death. The victim was covered with a sheet., A hole in the skull was located above the victims right eye, SLED agents wrote. "That no family, no community, no friends, no one had come to help her try to get a headstone. July 10, 2015, SCHP: Stephens Clothes and iPhone sent to SLED, 5 p.m.: Stephens wake is held at the Peeples-Rhoden Funeral Home chapel in Hampton on Mulberry Street East. He was in school for nursing at the time of his death. in. The final autopsy report said that Stephens cause of death was blunt head trauma, motor vehicle crash, pedestrian vs. vehicle. Todd Proctor told Fox News in an exclusivetelevisioninterview. "He's on my side . That did not happen to my friend. SCHP: Moore instructs Rowell to go back to the scene and make sure the body had been marked and to start looking for debris in both directions. Mandy also hosts the Murdaugh Murders podcast. To what historical information she possessed, I am unaware.. Todd Proctor, S.C. Highway Patrol's lead investigator in the 2015 Stephen Smith case, tells multiple news outlets that he still doesn't believe Smith died as a result of a hit-and-run. At the time of his death, Paul was awaiting trial after being charged with several felonies in connection to the deadly crash, including boating under the influence. All advice, including picks and predictions, is based on individual commentators opinions and not that of Minute Media or its related brands. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Crime scene photos obtained by FITSNews are horrific Stephens entire face was covered in blood that cascaded from a 7.25-inch gaping hole on the right side of his forehead. Proctor made it clear in his reports that he didnt believe Stephens death was a hit-and-run. 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. Michael Hemlepp, attorney for Smith's family, joins NewsNation's "Banfield."#Banfield #AlexMurdaugh A source close to the family also told FITSNews that the Beaches have not been questioned again since providing their statements and DNA. What I ended up finding [was] there were a lot of people who didnt want to assist or communicate with us, he said. SLED agents noted minor injuries to victims left arm, left hand and head. There, they listened to gospel songs, speeches and unveiled a new headstone for the 19-year-old's grave, which is close to the spot where his father, who died three months after his son, is buried. Proctor also wrote in his report that Greene was fired sometime between July 22 August 18, 2015. Kacen Bayless/AP At the time, police said Smith had a massive head wound and they. Moore is called by Cpl. The official cause of death at the time was that Smith, 19, died from a hit and run. It said the manner of death (which is either homicide, accident, natural, suicide, or undetermined) was still undetermined, The pathologist also states in the report, that in light of historical information along with the autopsy, these conclusions were made, Proctor wrote. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your device and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. Maybe there's even manufactured evidence in this case. She just wants to know who was responsible for murdering her child. Officials couldnt nail down a cause or manner of death. Charges in the middle of Sandy Run arrest and conviction evidence in this case ( or guest )... Schp detectives noted the cars gas cap door was found dead on country. Or pick up this week 's issue, on newsstands Friday, from. 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