To what historical information she possessed, I am unaware.. But Smith's family refuses to believe it was an accident. Sandy Smith didnt reveal who she thought killed her son. On June 22, 2021, SLED said it was . The content on this site is for entertainment and educational purposes only. Everything to Know About the Murdaugh Family Murders and the Ongoing Drama Surrounding Dad Alex Murdaugh, Hampton County Detention Center/AP/Shutterstock, Alex Murdaugh Allegedly Lured Wife to Cabin On Night She Was Killed and She Texted Friend It Seemed 'Fishy', Everything to Know About the Murdaugh Family Murders, Including Details of Allegations Against Alex, Alex Murdaugh's Slain Son Paul Allegedly Strangled Ex-Girlfriend in 2017, She Says in Netflix Documentary, Investigators Will Exhume Body of Murdaugh Family Housekeeper Who Died Under Mysterious Circumstances. There is no way that would happen to him. He was found dead in mysterious circumstances in the middle of Sandy Run Road on July 8, 2015. "He had his cell phone, he was six miles from the house," she insisted. Even after the eight-year veteran enhanced his postseason legend with another prolific stretch . The investigation was opened "based upon information gathered during the course of the double murder investigation of Paul and Maggie Murdaugh," a SLED spokesperson said. According to the investigation file, Buster was rumored to have been linked to Stephen intimately but detectives never proved this connection. (wrongful death lawsuit updates). I think its a situation when you grow up and your family is kinda high-profile and you get away withsome things because of your family name, Proctor said in 2015. His right shoulder was partially dislocated. The old way of doing business in Hampton does not exist anymore. (WTOC/Provided) Initial reports indicated he died from blunt force trauma to the head. Others in the community reached out to Sandy with rumors that a "Murdaugh boy" may be involved with her son's death. Evidence in. 12:30 p.m. MUSC autopsy report: Dr. Erin Presnell begins the autopsy on Stephen. "She now has more people than she knows what to do with," says Andrews. Stephen was not stupid, Stephens friend told FITSNews. 5:15 a.m. SCHP: J.L.Booker, of SCHP, was notified by Lt. Bruce Brock, also of SCHP, of the incident. Im tired of them putting Stephen on the back burner, Sandy Smith told FITSNews. New details in the investigation of 19-year-old Stephen Smith's death in 2015 show that while initial reports from S.C. Highway Patrol indicate his death was caused by a hit-and-run car crash . No homicide investigation was ever opened, and no referral was ever made to the agency in the case. Hes never been around Stephen., When asked who told her that she said Stephens friend, another kid who she named, and a couple other people.. Sandy says shes skeptical of the man claiming to be Stephens boyfriend. It said the manner of death (which is either homicide, accident, natural, suicide, or undetermined) was still undetermined. He also told me that he and the boy had a deep sea fishing trip planned for July. But Sandy Smith told the Hampton County Guardian, as reported in the Augusta Chronicle, that there was no glass or plastic shards on the road where Stephens body was found nothing that would indicate the young man was hit in the head by a mirror. Like the probe of the 2019 boat crash that killed Mallory Beach, the 2015 investigation into Smiths death was chaotic from the beginning clouded by jurisdictional confusion and suspicions of investigative interference. The killings also led the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division to open an investigation into the 2015 death of Stephen Smith, a 19-year-old man whose body was found in a road 10 miles from. Proctor wrote that Presnell spoke in a negative tone and basically called (him) a liar when he said that hed already spoken to Hampton County CoronerErnie Washington. Here's what we know. That would be Stephen Smith, a gay teenager who was found dead in the street inHampton County. They just throw their cases on a shelf to collect dust.. The teens had been "grossly intoxicated," according to police, even though they were all underage and could not legally buy alcohol. "Here she is seven years later, still hanging in there, still going strong, still ready to do whatever it takes to find the answers," Smith family attorney Mike Hemlepp tells PEOPLE. Proctor also wrote in his report that Greene was fired sometime between July 22 August 18, 2015. Earlier this week, FITSNews exclusively reported that South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) opened an investigation into the death of Stephen Smith a Hampton County teenager whose death has been unsolved since 2015. Rumors and speculation have surrounded Stephen Smith's death on July 8, 2015, when the 19-year-old's body was found on Sandy Run Road in Hampton County with deep gashes to the head just. His death was ruled a hit-and-run, but his mother Sandy Smith, who attended Sunday's unveiling, has long suspected he was murdered. Smith had a head wound consistent with being shot, the coroner explained in a report. While reporters from all over the nation contacted her last week about her sons story, she just wants the official call from law enforcement telling her they reopened the case. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your device and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. Moore describes Smith as there were no visible injuries to the deceased, other than his head wound and a small amount of road rash on both arms, Actual or presumed Date of Death: July 8, 2015, Cause of death: Blunt force trauma (probably pedestrian in motor vehicle accident possibly struck by side mirror). Mother and son were gunned down on their 1,770-acre estate in the small town of Islandton. They found engine oil in the vehicle but could not get the car to start. "That no family, no community, no friends, no one had come to help her try to get a headstone. The Hampton County Coroner's Office said the 19-year-old was hit and killed back in 2015 by blunt-force trauma to the head. SCHP: Moore writes I turned the clothing over to Duncan and after a discussion by all parties as to why this did not appear to be related to a motor vehicle.. SLED opened the investigation based on information gathered during the course of the double murder investigation of Maggie and Paul Murdaugh, SLED spokesperson Tommy Crosby told FITSNews. As I was leaving she stated that the report was preliminary and it was my job to figure out what struck him, not hers, Proctor wrote. SLEDs inquiry into the Smith family does not mean its agents believe they had anything to do with the deaths of Paul and Maggie Murdaugh. Alex's. The 19-year-old nursing student who had been a classmate of Buster Murdaugh at Wade Hampton High School was found dead with a head wound on Sandy Run. Or "king's ransom" waiting to be found Stephen Smith Case Files: Why Was Hampton Teens Death Ruled A Hit And Run In 2015? The Hampton community is hoping a suspect can be identified, after 19-year-old Stephen Smith was found dead on Sandy Run Road in an apparent hit and run. All advice, including picks and predictions, is based on individual commentators opinions and not that of Minute Media or its related brands. Families, entire communities are still reeling . SCHP: Moore calls Mitch Altman and tells him to go to the scene and see if he can find any debris. We have got to keep the light on his story and to keep the fire underneath other people's behinds to get it solved. Sandy Smith told FITSNews that SLED is investigating her sons death as a homicide which is something she wishes they did six years ago. In the aftermath of her sons death, Sandy said shes learned that there are two different justice systems in the Palmetto State one for people like the Murdaughs and another for everyone else. She was hoping to hear that they had opened a case in her sons unsolved death. Like us on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/TheSunUSand follow us from our main Twitter account at@TheSunUS, 2020 THE SUN, US, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | TERMS OF USE | PRIVACY | YOUR AD CHOICES | SITEMAP, Stephen Smith's body was found in the middle of a rural road, Buster, Maggie, Paul and Alex, all members of the prominent Murdaugh family, Mallory Beach died after a boating accident in 2019, Murdaugh familys link to Stephen Smiths death probed in explosive 20/20 doc & teens twin speaks out, Murdaugh family latest - Mallory Beach's parents reveal harrowing moment they 'knew she was dead' in 20/20 documentary, I won a $1.6million lottery jackpot after listening to my mom's advice - here's how she helped me win my fortune, Shock discovery of 90 peoples' remains found in abandoned church linked to man charged with abusing rotting corpses, Terrifying moment skier George McQuinn is knocked unconscious in brutal crash and slides face-first across finish line, UKs bird flu 'patient zero' is distraught after being told he cannot keep ducks for a year, Endangered elephants scavenge for food in dump increasing fears for their welfare, Prince Andrew 'fears being left completely BROKE' as he fights sex allegations as 'private citizen', I woke up from a five-week Covid coma and met my baby son for the first time, Tell your stories of meeting The Queen as we prepare to celebrate her Platinum Jubilee. Stephens relative didnt believe the person who said they were dating Stephen and said the family was skeptical of him. "My hope is that she finds answers that will give her a little bit of peace," she adds. Allen, of the SCHP, telling him about a possible hit and run on Sandy Run Road. Tallon notes that an EMS worker stated that a projectile wound was located on the victims head the HCCO moved the victim prior to SLED Crime Scene arrival.. The notes reveal the timeline of investigative measures taken from the momentSmith's body was found July 8, 2015, through December of that year. Smith was released on bond and now faces six felony charges in the shooting of Alex Murdaugh. As I was leaving she stated that the report was preliminary and it was my job to figure out what struck him, not hers, Proctor wrote. Yes. Names and stories of the Murdaugh family surfaced six years ago regarding the death of 19-year-old Stephen Smith, a young gay man found dead in the middle of a lonely rural road with several deep gashes in his head, but investigators said they were never able to directly connect anyone in the family to the incident. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The killings also led the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division to open a new inquiry into the unsolved death of Stephen Smith, a 19-year-old whose body was found on a rural road in the area in . (latest case updates), Murdaugh Murders: Was Paul Murdaugh charged for Mallory Beachs death? Ready to watch a new true crime docuseries thatll make your head spin? Whoever did this to Stephen should go to prison. The worst part is that some of the individuals responsible were Stephens classmates.. Im just sitting here like why? It makes no sense, she said. Then it turned out it was a hit and run. Investigators with the S.C. Highway Patrol ( SCHP). At another point in the investigation, Proctor appeared frustrated that local sources were hesitant and scared to speak of the Murdaughs to police. Rowell did not make a note of the Murdaugh tip in his written notes. Since the murders of Paul Murdaugh, 22, and Maggie Murdaugh 52, the State Law Enforcement Division, the agency that has been investigating the homicides, announced that it will now be investigating the death of 19-year-old Stephen Smith. Michael E. Duncan of the incident. Stephen Smith was 19 when he died in what investigators called a hit-and-run in Hampton County in 2015. The victim was covered with a sheet., A hole in the skull was located above the victims right eye, SLED agents wrote. Send your tips [email protected]. 10:30 a.m. SCHP: Moore notes that Washington told him that this is when Joel and Sandy Smith were notified of their sons death. 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