48 Hours “Stephen Smith – A Death in Murdaugh Country” November 25 2023 Recap & Preview

In the heart of Murdaugh country, long before the sensational trial of Alex Murdaugh, another enigmatic case gripped the community. The death of Stephen Smith, a 19-year-old gay man, on July 8, 2015, was initially ruled a hit and run by the medical examiner, but his mother, Sandy Smith, never accepted this explanation. Now, in an exclusive presentation, “48 HOURS” unveils the compelling findings of an independent investigation into this perplexing cold case.

For years, Sandy Smith relentlessly sought answers about her son’s death, determined to uncover the truth. She speaks candidly with 48 HOURS contributor and CBS News national correspondent Nikki Battiste, expressing her unyielding desire for closure. “All I want is peace in knowing what happened to my son,” she says, “He’s my world, and I’ll fight ’til the end.”

Hampton County Guardian editor Michael Dewitt, who covered Stephen Smith’s death in 2015, reflects on the enduring mystery. He calls it “interesting” and “tragic” that this unresolved case is the oldest in the Murdaugh saga and suggests that solving it might bring an end to this ongoing narrative.

The investigation takes a dramatic turn when Thomas Moore, a retired South Carolina Highway Patrol lieutenant who supervised the scene where Smith’s body was discovered, challenges the initial hit and run theory. He details his observations, explaining that he saw no signs of typical vehicle-related evidence like debris, glass, or car parts. Moore even suspected that the scene had been “staged,” raising the possibility that Smith’s body was deliberately placed there.

Early on, rumors swirled that the Murdaugh family might be linked to Smith’s death, with the Murdaugh name frequently appearing in the case file. However, the investigation stalled, and no suspects were named. In 2016, the case went cold. But in June 2021, following the shocking murders of Paul and Maggie Murdaugh, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) announced a new lead in Smith’s death and took over the case. Yet, the nature of this new evidence remains undisclosed.

Fast forward to March 2023, after Alex Murdaugh’s conviction for the murders of his wife and son, Sandy Smith assembles a formidable legal team to reignite the pursuit of justice. Lawyers Eric Bland and Ronnie Richter, representing her pro bono, initiate their own investigation, aiming to revive interest in Stephen’s death. Their primary objective is to obtain an independent assessment of the case to finally reveal the truth about what happened to Stephen Smith.

Richter and Bland take a bold step by exhuming Smith’s body, a move Sandy Smith had long desired, and assemble a team of experts for a fresh examination. In April 2023, Dr. Michelle Dupre, a seasoned investigator and forensic pathologist with over 3,000 autopsies under her belt, oversees the examination. Her shocking findings confirm that Smith died from a single blow to his forehead, which caused his skull to split. Strangely, there were no injuries consistent with a head-on collision, casting doubt on the hit and run theory.

Furthermore, Bland and Richter enlist the expertise of Dr. Kenny Kinsey, a crime scene specialist and star prosecution witness in the Murdaugh murder trial. Both experts arrive at a startling conclusion: Smith died on the very road where his body was discovered. Kinsey highlights the compelling evidence at the scene, including the quantity and direction of blood flow, leading to a single conclusion.

In the upcoming 48 HOURS report, DuPre and Kinsey share their dramatic findings, leaving viewers on the edge of their seats. When asked about their confidence in understanding what transpired that fateful night, Kinsey responds with resolute conviction: “I’m as close to a degree of scientific certainty as I’ve ever felt.”

Sandy Smith’s dedicated independent investigative team has diligently compiled their findings and handed them over to SLED, setting the stage for a potential breakthrough in the baffling case of Stephen Smith’s death. Don’t miss this gripping episode of “48 HOURS: Stephen Smith – A Death in Murdaugh Country,” airing Saturday, Nov. 25, at 10:00 PM ET/PT on the CBS Television Network.

What Happened to Stephen Smith?

In June 2021, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) announced it was opening an investigation into the death of Stephen Smith, two weeks after the double murder of Paul and Maggie Murdaugh. For nearly a decade, Smith’s mother, Sandy Smith, had been determined to seek justice for her son, whose death was initially ruled a hit-and-run by the medical examiner but was doubted by both Sandy Smith and investigators.

Sandy Smith’s persistence paid off when, with the help of high-profile lawyers Eric Bland and Ronnie Richter, and more than $130,000 in GoFundMe donations, SLED Chief Mark Keel acknowledged that Stephen Smith’s death was being treated as a homicide. Smith’s body was exhumed for an independent autopsy.

Despite the longstanding rumors connecting the Murdaugh family to Stephen Smith’s death, there was no concrete evidence linking them to the case. Eric Bland and Ronnie Richter emphasized their goal was to rekindle interest in Stephen’s death and find the truth, regardless of any potential involvement by the Murdaugh family.

The independent investigation, led by Dr. Kenny Kinsey and Dr. Michelle DuPre, revealed that Stephen Smith likely died from a single, fatal blow to the head and died on the road where his body was found. These findings provided a new perspective on the case.

SLED’s decision to reopen Stephen Smith’s case followed new evidence uncovered during the Murdaugh double murder investigation. While SLED has been tight-lipped about its findings, the progress in the case is promising. Sandy Smith’s persistent efforts have kept her son’s case from fading into obscurity, and she remains hopeful of finally getting answers and justice.

The renewed investigation is not framed as an extension of the Murdaugh case but as a dedicated effort to uncover the truth about Stephen Smith’s death and provide closure for his grieving mother.