Disgraced South Carolina lawyer Alex Murdaugh reportedly suffered a skull fracture and superficial injuries in last month’s alleged suicide-for-hire plot that resulted in him being charged with insurance fraud.
According to recently-released medical documents, Murdaugh, 53, was admitted to the hospital on September 4 for a “left posterior parietal subdural hematoma with adjacent subarachnoid blood clots,” fracture of the parietal bone with pneumocephaly, and a laceration to the head.
Death investigator and “Body Bags” podcast host Joseph Scott Morgan explained to CrimeOnline, “The fracture is from the graze wound. Another contributing factor is the expanding concussive fracture. Either way, this is an indication of close range.”
Morgan also said the report not only suggests that Murdaugh suffered a superficial graze wound — but it also indicates that he did not act alone.
He said, “Because there was no forensic assessment for a range of fire, it’s highly unlikely that this was self-inflicted.”
At the time, Murdaugh allegedly claimed he was changing his tire when an unknown assailant shot him from behind. He said he immediately lost vision following the shooting, but it slowly returned over time.
However, authorities now believe that Murdaugh hired his former client, Curtis Smith, 61, to fatally shoot him so his surviving son would receive a $10 million life insurance payout. Smith has denied having any involvement.
The newly-released document also stated that a September 5 drug test confirmed Murdaugh had barbiturates and opioids in his system.
A day before the shooting, Murdaugh was forced out of his family law firm amid allegations he misappropriated funds. He announced he was entering rehabilitation for drugs two days after the shooting.
Murdaugh’s legal team has claimed the disgraced attorney became addicted to opioids following the murders of his wife and son, who were fatally shot in June.
In addition to being charged with insurance fraud for the apparent suicide-for-hire scheme, Murdaugh was arrested on Thursday in Florida for allegedly misappropriating settlement funds related to the 2018 death of his housekeeper, Gloria Satterfield, 57, who suffered a fatal fall on his property.
Murdaugh is awaiting extradition to Florida. No arrests have been made in connection with his wife and son’s slayings.
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[Featured image: Alex Murdaugh/Florida Department of Corrections]
