This story, which aired on March 4, 2023, was recently updated on Aug. 26. It revolves around a field trip to a ghost town that took place as part of the proceedings in the double murder trial of Alex Murdaugh. The procession made its way up the long driveway of the Murdaugh family hunting lodge, known as “Moselle.”
The murders in question occurred on June 7, 2021, when Maggie and Paul Murdaugh were found dead at the dog kennels located on the family property in Colleton County, South Carolina. The jury was taken to the exact spot where Paul had been shot at close range with a shotgun and where Maggie had been shot multiple times with a 300 rifle. Remarkably, neither weapon has been discovered.
The estate used to symbolize the power and prestige of the Murdaugh legal dynasty but has now fallen into disrepair, mirroring the downfall of Alex Murdaugh. Once a wealthy and influential lawyer, he has since admitted to being a drug addict, thief, and convicted murderer. This is where his life took a dark turn on that fateful day in June 2021.
When Murdaugh initially called 911, he identified himself and urgently reported that his wife and child had been severely injured. During his subsequent interviews with investigators, he wasted no time in offering an explanation for the murders. These interrogations were played for the jury, providing valuable insight into Murdaugh’s mindset on the night of the killings. In one interview conducted late that night, he described discovering the bodies of his wife and child at the kennels.
The case took a complicated turn when investigators delved into the events leading up to the murders. They learned that on the night in question, Paul Murdaugh had used his older brother’s ID to purchase alcohol at a convenience store. Surveillance footage captured him celebrating this achievement before loading the cooler onto the boat. From there, the group attended a party and continued drinking until around 1 a.m.
It was around this time that Mallory Beach, one of the passengers, tragically lost her life. Investigators recovered surveillance footage showing Beach and her boyfriend leaving the bar, which would become one of the last images of her alive. The group then embarked on the ill-fated boat ride, with tensions among them becoming increasingly strained.
Ultimately, a fatal accident occurred when the boat crashed into a bridge. Deputies arrived at the scene and witnessed the chaotic aftermath. Among them was Beaufort County Deputy Sheriff Steven Domino, who encountered a distraught Anthony Cook, Mallory Beach’s boyfriend. Cook became agitated when he saw Murdaugh smiling, despite his girlfriend being missing in the water.
This marked the moment when Cook definitively identified Murdaugh as the driver of the boat. The search for Mallory’s body lasted a week before it was tragically discovered. Throughout this period, there was growing anticipation about whether there would be an arrest or an admission of guilt.
The investigation focused heavily on exonerating Paul Murdaugh rather than holding him accountable for Mallory’s death. The Beach family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Murdaugh family to gain insight into what happened that night. In depositions, numerous accounts painted Paul as acting recklessly. There were also allegations that Alex Murdaugh tried to orchestrate a cover-up by coordinating his statements with the other survivors at the hospital.
Paul’s blood alcohol level was found to be significantly over the legal limit when tested at the hospital. Despite this evidence, many believed Paul would not face charges due to the slow progress of the case. However, nearly two months after the boat crash, on what would have been Mallory’s 20th birthday, Paul Murdaugh was finally charged with three felony counts, including causing Mallory’s death due to boating under the influence. He pleaded not guilty and was released on bond.
Two years passed without significant developments in the case. Then, on June 7, 2021, while Paul Murdaugh was awaiting trial, a shocking incident occurred that turned the entire story upside down.