20/20: The Murdaugh Family Murders

Podcast: 20/20 by ABC News
Episode Date: November 1, 2025
Topic: The Murdaugh Family Murders and the multi-layered saga of crime, power, and downfall

Overview

This compelling episode of ABC’s 20/20 delves deep into the murder case and legacy of the Murdaugh family — a powerful dynasty in South Carolina. The episode captures the shocking double murder of Maggie and Paul Murdaugh, explores the broader context of the Murdaugh family's influence, chronicles Alec Murdaugh’s dramatic fall from grace, and examines how the family’s story has both fascinated and horrified the nation. It also provides insight into the Hulu dramatization, “Death in the Family,” inspired by these events.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Crime Scene at Moselle

• [02:05]: Alec Murdaugh’s frantic 911 call on June 7, 2021, reporting his wife Maggie (52) and son Paul (22) shot dead on their sprawling Moselle property.
• Deputy Greene first at the scene: finds both victims with gunshot wounds to the head, Alec in visible distress.
• The Murdaugh family’s historic power is immediately evident: “This is a scene of a crime involving very powerful people.”
• The South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) is called in, emphasizing the case’s gravity.

2. The Boat Crash and Its Ripple Effects

• [20:55]: Flashback to the 2019 boat crash involving Paul Murdaugh that resulted in the death of Mallory Beach.
• Play-by-play of the night: underage drinking, reckless boating, the crash, and Mallory’s disappearance. First responders fail to give Paul a sobriety test.
• Quote [26:21]: Anthony Cook (Mallory’s boyfriend), devastated at the scene: "My girlfriend’s gone, bro. You think it’s funny?"
• Alleged influence over the investigation: Alec and his father arrive at the hospital, shield Paul from questioning, and allegedly coach witnesses.
• [34:30]: Community outrage over possible cover-up, slow charges, and Paul’s lenient treatment.

3. Civil Lawsuits and Cracks in the Façade

• [40:00]: The Beach family files a wrongful death lawsuit; they pursue Alec Murdaugh’s finances after he claims to be broke.
• Mark Tinsley (the Beach family’s attorney): “What motivated me was getting evidence of everything. I knew who we were up against and how things would probably disappear if we didn’t act quickly.” [41:13]
• Tinsley’s investigation lays groundwork for scrutinizing Alec’s finances.

4. The Double Homicide & Its Fallout

• [50:42]: The murders of Maggie and Paul come just days before a crucial hearing probing Alec's finances in the Beach civil suit.
• Alec provides conflicting alibis about his whereabouts; brings up threats against Paul due to the boat crash.
• Public skepticism grows as law enforcement assures there’s “no danger to the public.”
• Quote [54:05]: “Generally when you say something like that, you have a good idea who did it.”

5. The Death of Gloria Satterfield

• [57:25]: Investigation expands into the mysterious 2018 fall (and later death) of the family’s longtime housekeeper, Gloria Satterfield.
• Alec promises her sons compensation via a wrongful death suit but, as it’s revealed, allegedly steals the entire multi-million dollar settlement.
• Gloria’s sons: “Alec Murdoch looked him in the eye and said, trust me, I got you guys. You’re gonna get a lot of money and I’m gonna handle everything — but that money for Gloria’s boys, never came.” [01:01:10]

6. Financial Crimes & the Roadside Shooting

• [01:12:00]: Just months after the double homicide, Alec is shot in the head on a rural road, prompting even more suspicion.
• Investigation quickly unravels Alec’s story: he staged the shooting, hiring Curtis “Eddie” Smith to shoot him in a botched suicide-for-insurance plot.
• Alec confesses: “I asked him to shoot me...so my son Buster could collect $10 million in life insurance.” [01:15:30]
• Soon after, Alec is embroiled in charges for insurance fraud, theft from clients, and is sued by Gloria Satterfield’s sons — who never received their settlement.

7. The Murders, Arrest, and South Carolina’s Trial of the Century

• [01:31:00 – 01:44:00]: A grand jury indicts Alec for the murders of Maggie and Paul.
• Alec’s appearance at arraignment: “He looked very thin, very gaunt...completely bald.” [01:33:50]

The Murdaugh Murder Trial: Evidence, Alibis, and Testimony

• [01:45:00 – 02:10:00]:

  • Alec’s defense: claims loving relationship, denies being at the kennels that night.
  • Prosecution’s “smoking gun”: Paul’s cell phone video at 8:44pm with Alec’s unmistakable voice at the kennel, minutes before the murders.
    • Rogan Gibson (Paul’s friend): “I’m positive [that was Alec’s voice].” [01:48:55]
  • Financial crimes presented as motive: murder used to distract from his imminent discovery and public ruin.
  • Alec testifies, admits to being at the kennels (contradicting his original story), insists he lied only out of paranoia from opioid addiction:
    • “Oh, what a tangled web we weave…” – Alec, explaining his web of lies [02:00:12]
  • Cross-examination hones in on Alec’s ever-changing narrative and timeline, using cell phone and physical evidence to press for specifics.

• Verdict:

  • [02:14:20]: Jury finds Alec Murdoch guilty of both murders.
  • Sentenced to life in prison, now appealing the conviction.
  • Guilty pleas to numerous financial crimes on both federal and state levels.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Power and Influence:
  “The Murdaughs weren’t above the law. They were the law.” [13:45]

• On Community Impact:
  “If you knew where Hampton County was at all, you associated us with the Watermelon Festival. ... Everybody knows everybody, that’s for sure. And they’re all in everybody’s business.” [16:30]

• On the Boat Crash Aftermath:
  “He was not handcuffed in the courtroom...Who has their mugshot taken in the hallway of the courthouse? I’ve never seen that.” [38:10]

• On the trial’s magnitude:
  “It was very much like the circus is coming to town. It’s bananas.” [01:46:30]

• On Alec’s Downfall:
  “If anyone wants to see the face of what opioid addiction does, you’re looking at him.” [01:25:40] (Defense in court, on Alec’s state after his arrest)

• On Family Dynamics:
  “I always saw Alec as like a great white shark. The minute he stops, he will die.” – [Writers, 01:20:10]

Perspectives from the Hulu Series and Key Creatives

• Portrayal of Maggie:
  • “I decided that she never would ever have thought that he would kill her son or her...She believed, at the end of the day, we’re family, you would protect us...” – Patricia Arquette (Maggie), [02:18:10]
• On Depicting Narcissism:
  • “They’re pathological liars. They’re habitual cheaters. They have incapacity to really take accountability.” – [02:19:00]
• On the Story’s Sensationalism:
  • “There’s no bottom to this case. I’m shocked. Every single day, there are more new details.” – Mandy Matney [01:41:22]

Key Timestamps

• 911 call and crime scene setup: 00:45–05:05
• Paul’s boat crash and Mallory Beach’s death: 20:55–36:50
• Beach lawsuit, civil proceedings: 40:00–45:00
• Murders of Maggie & Paul, Alec’s alibi: 50:42–53:20
• Death of Gloria Satterfield: 57:25–01:07:00
• Roadside shooting/insurance fraud: 01:12:00–01:18:30
• Alec’s financial crimes, arrest, and charges: 01:20:00–01:33:00
• Indictment, trial, and verdict: 01:33:45–02:16:00
• Hulu dramatization discussion: 02:17:00–02:22:00

Conclusion

The episode paints a vivid portrait of a Southern legal dynasty undone by scandal, negligence, and murder — and the dogged pursuit of accountability by victims and reporters alike. Central to the story is not just the shocking violence, but the unyielding hold of privilege, the culture of silence in small-town South Carolina, and the ultimate triumph of justice. The case continues to inspire media (and a Hulu dramatization), cementing the saga as a modern Shakespearean tragedy.

For further detail, listen to the full 20/20 episode or watch the Hulu original “Death in the Family.”