In the summer of 2015, the body of 19-year-old Stephen Smith was discovered in the middle of a rural road in Hampton County, South Carolina. The initial determination of his cause of death was a hit-and-run. Smith, who was openly gay, had suffered blunt force trauma to the head. However, the initial investigation yielded no suspects and left his family with many unanswered questions.
For years, rumors circulated within the community about the circumstances of his death, with some speculating that he may have been targeted.
The case, which had grown cold, was officially reopened in 2021 by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division based on information gathered during the investigation into the murders of Maggie and Paul Murdaugh, members of a prominent and powerful local family. Stephen had been a high school classmate of Buster Murdaugh, the eldest son of Alex Murdaugh. In March 2023, SLED announced that they were investigating Smith's death as a homicide. This announcement brought renewed national attention to the case. In response to the renewed investigation, Buster Murdaugh issued a statement unequivocally denying any involvement in Smith's death and dismissing the rumors as baseless.
In an effort to uncover new evidence, Stephen Smith's family made the difficult decision to have his body exhumed for an independent, second autopsy in April 2023. His mother expressed her hope that this would finally provide clear answers about how her son died. The family's attorney has stated their belief that the death may have been a hate crime. As of late 2025, the homicide investigation by SLED remains ongoing. While there have been no arrests or named suspects, the renewed focus on the case has given Stephen Smith's family and community hope that justice will eventually be served.
