The legal drama surrounding a prominent South Carolina family took a new turn Tuesday when police arrested a suspect in connection with the mysterious shooting of troubled lawyer Alex Murdaugh.
A law enforcement source familiar with the situation confirmed to The Daily Beast that a suspect was in custody, although no names or details were immediately released. The development was first reported by WJBF.
Murdaugh has been at the center of a bizarre saga with more twists than a Lowcountry tour. It includes a double murder, drug addiction and allegations of embezzlement.
The 53-year-old lawyer is the descendant of a powerful legal dynasty and was a partner in the firm Peters, Murdaugh, Parker, Eltzroth, Detrick, founded by his great-grandfather.
In 2019, the clan – which controlled the prosecution for decades – was included in the headlines when Murdaugh’s son, Paul, was charged with a drunken boating accident that killed a young woman.
In June, Alex Murdaugh discovered 22-year-old Paul Murdaugh and his mother Maggie, 52, shot near the kennels on the family’s extensive game farm.
Since the double homicide was not resolved, it appears that Alex Murdaugh’s life had moved out of control.
Two weeks ago, he called 911 from a country road to report that his head had been shot, reportedly, while changing a tire. Circumstances were surrounded by confusion, and then things became even more murky.
Murdaugh suddenly announced that he was entering rehab for drug addiction and resigned from his law firm, saying he had made “many decisions that I really regret.”
That intriguing statement was followed by the firm’s announcement that Murdaugh was being investigated for allegedly appropriating funds, an issue the state police are also investigating now.