Buster Murdaugh recently denied having a role in the unsolved death of his high school classmate, who was reportedly found dead near the Murdaughs’ property in 2015.
In a statement to NBC News, Buster said he has not commented on Stephen Smith’s death because he was dealing with the murders of his mother and brother, Maggie and Paul, and the incarceration of his father, Alex, for their slayings. In 2015, Smith, 19, was found dead on a road in Hampton County in a suspected hit-and-run.
No arrests have been made in connection with Smith’s death. Smith’s family has told the media that they wanted an independent autopsy in light of the investigation into Paul and Maggie’s 2021 murders. Last week, the family reached their goal on GoFundMe to have the teen’s body exhumed and reexamined.
Buster told NBC News, “I have tried my best to ignore the vicious rumors about my involvement in Stephen Smith’s tragic death that continue to be published in the media as I grieve over the brutal murders of my mother and brother. I love them so much and miss them terribly.”
In his statement to NBC, Buster also accused the media of harassing him before and after Alex’s trial — which ended with Alex’s conviction and life imprisonment. Earlier this month, Buster filed a police report claiming the New York Post snapped photos of him in his home.
“This has gone on far too long. These baseless rumors of my involvement with Stephen and his death are false. I unequivocally deny any involvement in his death, and my heart goes out to the Smith family.”
In addition to Smith, authorities said they plan to exhume Gloria Satterfield. Satterfield was the Murdaugh’s housekeeper who died in 2018 after reportedly falling on the family’s property. Alex allegedly stole insurance payouts that were intended for her family.
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[Featured image: Buster Murdaugh/Joshua Boucher/The State via AP, Pool; Stephen Smith/Facebook]
