Inside the Disturbing and Twisted Tale of Alex Murdaugh... as Lawyer Gunned Down His Own Family in Cold Blood
Alex Murdaugh's fall from grace as been highlighted in several documentaries.
Oct. 31 2025, Published 6:30 p.m. ET
Alex Murdaugh, a name synonymous with scandal and tragedy, has captivated true crime enthusiasts since Hulu's chilling documentary Murdaugh: Death in the Family shed light on his shocking fall from grace, RadarOnline.com can reveal.
So, who exactly is Alex Murdaugh?
A Dynasty of Power
Alex Murdaugh once worked as a powerful South Carolina attorney.
Once a respected attorney at his family-run law firm, Peters, Murdaugh, Parker, Eltzroth & Detrick (PMPED), the South Carolina native was born into a dynasty.
His family held the prestigious title of solicitor for the 14th Judicial Circuit for an astonishing 86 years, wielding incredible power and influence in the Lowcountry.
In 1993, Alex tied the knot with his college sweetheart, Margaret "Maggie" Murdaugh, welcoming sons Richard "Buster" Alexander Murdaugh Jr. and Paul Terry Murdaugh into the world. But their idyllic family life was about to take a devastating turn.
The Shocking Murders
Alex Murdaugh married his college sweetheart, Maggie, in 1993.
On June 7, 2021, Alex stood accused of fatally shooting his wife and son with an AR-style rifle on the sprawling grounds of their hunting estate. He claimed he stumbled upon their bodies upon returning home from a visit to his mother.
Dialing 9-1-1 at 10:07 p.m., Alex's frantic plea was chilling: "I need the police and an ambulance immediately. My wife and child were just shot badly."
Initially denying any presence at the dog kennels that fateful night, everything changed when a Snapchat video captured by Paul revealed Alex was indeed there at 8:44 p.m., according to ABC11. Despite maintaining his innocence, prosecutors painted a portrait of a desperate man who allegedly murdered his family to cover up a decade of financial deceit.
Paul Murdaugh’s Snapchat video could support Alex Murdaugh’s alibi.
Financial Deceit and Addiction
Alex was convicted of the 2021 murders of his wife, Maggie and son, Paul.
Beneath the facade of a successful lawyer, Alex had been pilfering from his law firm and clients to feed a growing opioid addiction and to support his lavish lifestyle, as detailed by The Washington Post. In a shocking exposé, it was revealed that he had stolen nearly $12million before his arrest.
The Murdaugh family was also embroiled in a lawsuit stemming from the tragic death of Mallory Beach, who lost her life during a 2019 boating accident where Paul was behind the wheel. With Paul facing an impending trial and criminal indictment, it became evident that Alex's financial world was crumbling, driving him to desperate measures.
Never Miss an
Daily updates from the heart of Hollywood, right to your inbox
By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you’re agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Sentencing and Justice Served
A jury found him guilty of both murders in March 2023.
Fast forward to the present day: Alex was handed a staggering 40-year sentence for a slew of financial crimes, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering.
He pled guilty to 22 federal crimes in September 2023, all while clinging to the assertion that he did not kill his wife and son. Yet, a jury saw things differently, finding him guilty of their murders, resulting in two consecutive life sentences during a March 2023 hearing, as reported by NBC News.
