Crime House Daily Night Watch: The Murdaugh Murders Take Another Twist

Date: October 9, 2025
Host: Katie Ring

Episode Overview

Katie Ring takes listeners deep into the ongoing saga of the Murdaugh family, a dynasty whose name once commanded respect in South Carolina’s Lowcountry but is now synonymous with scandal, death, and criminal intrigue. The episode follows the timeline from early suspicious deaths linked to the Murdaughs, through Alec Murdaugh’s arrest, trial, and conviction for the murders of his wife and son, up to the present day—a pivotal moment as Alec appeals his convictions, alleging jury tampering.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Who Are the Murdaughs?

• [03:56] The Murdaughs were "filthy rich and highly influential in the town. The Murdaughs had been practicing law in the area for four generations."
• A series of deaths and suspicious circumstances have continually surrounded the family.

2. Mysterious Deaths Connected to the Family

• Stephen Smith (2015):
  • [04:10] “The body of Stephen Smith, a 19-year-old nursing student, was discovered on the side of a country road in Hampton County.”
  • Stephen was openly gay and rumored to have a relationship with Buster Murdaugh; his body was found 15 miles from the Murdaugh estate (Moselle).
  • Police ruled it a hit-and-run, but “there were a lot of interesting details surrounding Stephen's death that raised eyebrows.”
• Gloria Satterfield (2018):
  • [05:14] “The Murdaugh’s longtime housekeeper… fell down the front stairs… She suffered severe head trauma and died three weeks later.”
  • The death was quickly deemed accidental, but the $4.3 million insurance payout meant for her sons never reached them.
• Mallory Beach (2019):
  • [06:16] “Paul was driving a group of friends aboard the family's boat… he crashed the boat into a bridge… Mallory Beach… drowned that night.”
  • Paul was charged but law enforcement's handling (no sobriety test) sparked suspicions of preferential treatment.

3. Cracks Within the Family and Financial Ruin

• [08:11] “Despite Alex's successful career… he insisted in court that he couldn't pay.”
• Maggie Murdaugh was suspicious of the missing money, and “moved full time to the family's beach house” as the family crumbled.

4. Paul and Maggie’s Murders and the Aftermath

• [11:30] On June 7, 2021, “Alec reached out to his son Paul and asked him to come home… He sounded frantic and said he'd discovered his wife and son shot dead by the dog kennels at Moselle.”
• Police were “immediately suspicious”, especially after discovering Maggie had texted a friend about her suspicions:
  • “Alex sounded fishy, like he was up to something.”
• Alec claimed the murders were revenge for Mallory Beach’s death, but the investigation spotlighted Alec as a suspect.

5. Alec’s Downfall: Resignation, Attempted Suicide, and Fraud

• [13:21] After being confronted for embezzlement, “he resigned from the firm in disgrace… the police were already treating him as the primary suspect.”
• Fake roadside attack:
  • [14:28] "A driver… fired at him before driving away."
  • This was later exposed as a failed staged suicide-for-insurance plot, involving Alec’s cousin and drug dealer, Curtis Edward Smith.

6. The Crimes Stack Up

• [15:45] "Investigators exhumed Stephen's body and found that the supposed hit-and-run death was actually a murder."
• Financial records, fraud, and drug distribution charges continued to mount.
• Buster, Alec’s surviving son, remained loyal, handling family financial affairs and “still maintained [his father’s] innocence.”

7. The 2023 Trial and Aftermath

• [17:40] Alec’s “trial in the murders of his wife and son began.”
• Evidence included:
  • Alec’s voice on a Snapchat video minutes before the murders
  • Cell phone data placing him at the scene
  • A possible confession: “I did Paul so bad.”
• Alec took the stand, admitting to financial crimes and drug addiction but denying murder.
• [21:13] “After just three hours of jury deliberation, Alex was found guilty… He was sentenced to two life sentences.”

8. Unresolved Cases & Current Status

• Stephen Smith’s murder remains officially unsolved.
• Gloria Satterfield’s death is under renewed investigation:
  • “Alec Murdoch has admitted that he lied about the circumstances… [he] made up the story… to ensure an insurance settlement.”
• Alec is serving additional time for state and federal fraud convictions: “an additional 40 year sentence and… $8.7 million in restitution.”
• Alec continues to appeal the verdict on grounds of jury tampering; oral arguments are expected in late 2025 or early 2026.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Alec Murdaugh’s Denials (Clip from court testimony)

"I would never under any circumstances hurt my wife Maggie. And I would never under any circumstances hurt my son."
— Alec Murdaugh, [00:45]

On Small-Town Power

"Power, privilege and a family dynasty shattered by lies, drugs and murder. The Murdaugh trial isn't just about one man on the stand. It's about unraveling the lies and exposing the darkness that thrived behind a name once untouchable."
— Katie Ring, [01:05]

Buster’s Loyalty

"I do not think that he could be affiliated with endangering my mother and brother."
— Buster Murdaugh (quoted), [20:28]

The Unresolved Tragedy

"Ultimately, the families of the people he harmed are the ones left to pick up the pieces. Family and friends who testified described Paul as a loyal friend... Maggie as a girl's girl... Gloria Satterfield is remembered as a loving mother... Mallory Beach was a beloved friend and daughter... Stephen Smith is remembered as a devoted warrior for LGBTQ rights."
— Katie Ring, [23:11]

Important Timestamps

• 00:41–01:03: Alec Murdaugh’s denials and Katie’s episode introduction
• 03:56–10:35: Detailed case history, beginning with Stephen Smith and leading to Mallory Beach, Gloria Satterfield
• 11:30–15:40: Paul and Maggie’s murders; Alec’s cover-up attempts and staged suicide
• 17:40–21:13: Alec’s trial, conviction, and aftermath
• 23:11–End: Summation of the unresolved deaths and the current appeal

Episode Tone & Language

Katie Ring maintains a serious, analytical tone, mixing a journalistic approach with empathetic details about the victims and their families. Her language is concise, informative, and respectful, aiming to keep listeners updated on “where justice is unfolding, arrests are happening, and new evidence is emerging.” She cautions that “everyone mentioned is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.”

Summary Takeaways

• The Murdaugh case is a sweeping tale of privilege, abuse of power, and multiple unresolved deaths in a Southern legal dynasty.
• Alec Murdaugh’s world collapsed under the weight of criminal, financial, and personal misconduct.
• As this episode airs, the saga is not over: an appeal based on jury tampering may yet alter Alec Murdaugh’s fate—but the search for full justice for all the lives lost and damaged continues.

For ongoing updates, listeners are encouraged to follow Crime House Daily on social media and join the conversation with their own thoughts and theories.