Stephen Smith Death Case: A lawyer representing Sandy Smith, the mother of Stephen Smith, a gay teenager who was found dead in South Carolina in 2015, has stated that a grand jury is currently reviewing evidence related to his death. The case gained renewed attention due to the prosecution of Alex Murdaugh for the murders of his wife and son. Smith was a classmate of Murdaugh’s eldest son.
According to Eric Bland, the attorney representing Sandy Smith, significant progress is being made by the grand jury, which has been empaneled to examine the case. Bland mentioned that there are five to six individuals who possess crucial information regarding Stephen’s death. He expressed hope that a resolution regarding the circumstances surrounding Smith’s death could be reached by Labor Day.
Bland explained that the consensus is that Stephen died on the road where he was found, but the cause of his death remains in question. Sandy Smith has hired independent experts to determine the cause of death, including forensic pathologists Dr. Michelle DuPre and Dr. Dan Schultz, forensic anthropologist Dr. Heather Walsh-Haney, and crime scene expert Dr. Kenny Kinsey.
Earlier this year, Stephen Smith’s body was exhumed, and a second autopsy was conducted in Florida under the supervision of Dr. DuPre. The results of the autopsy have been shared with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) but have not been disclosed publicly.
Since 2015, there has been uncertainty surrounding the cause and manner of Stephen Smith’s death. The findings of the initial autopsy performed by Dr. Erin Presnell, stating that Smith died as a result of a hit and run, were contested by investigators from the South Carolina State Highway Patrol. Dr. DuPre, who oversaw the second autopsy, has expressed confidence in the thoroughness and professionalism of the first autopsy.
The case file on Smith’s death was released by the South Carolina Highway Patrol following Freedom of Information Act requests. Various media outlets, including podcasts and documentaries, have covered the case, often mentioning the Murdaugh name due to small-town rumors and its association with Stephen Smith’s family.
Bland stated that Randy Murdaugh, Alex Murdaugh’s older brother, represented Stephen Smith’s father in a worker’s compensation claim, further connecting the Murdaugh and Smith families. However, Bland clarified that currently, there is no direct evidence linking any member of the Murdaugh family to Stephen’s murder.
The grand jury has the authority to issue subpoenas for records and witnesses, aiding in the investigation of Smith’s death. Despite attempts to reach out to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office, no response has been received regarding the case.
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division initiated its own homicide investigation into Stephen Smith’s death while investigating the murders of Maggie and Paul Murdaugh. Bland emphasized that Smith’s family, particularly his mother, seeks definitive answers about the circumstances surrounding his death and yearns for closure after eight years of unrest.
Continue to check our website (buggingquestions.com) for more articles of this kind. And, please use our comment section as well, we would love to hear from you.
