The tragedy of the Murdaugh family in South Carolina: the story of the murder of Maggie Murdaugh
17 october 2025 в 00:13
Alex Murdaugh was found guilty of the murder of his wife Maggie and their son Paul in a shocking double homicide that occurred on June 7, 2021. After his trial concluded in 2023, he was also found guilty of two counts of weapons possession, meaning he was convicted on all charges against him in this case. Alex, a disgraced fourth-generation attorney from South Carolina, pleaded not guilty to the murder of his family in July 2022, and his and Maggie’s other son, Buster, emotionally defended his infamous father on February 21, 2023.
Alex also faced dozens of additional charges related to financial crimes, forgery, and more. His questionable past attracted widespread attention. A Netflix documentary series titled Murdaugh Murders was released for streaming in the same year, as well as a three-part documentary film titled Low Country: The Murdaugh Dynasty on HBO Max. But Murdaugh: Death in the Family on Hulu in 2025 once again brought attention to the case.
Scroll down to learn everything you need to know about Maggie Murdaugh, who was shot by her husband, Alex Murdaugh.
According to the New York Post, Maggie Murdaugh was born to high school sweethearts Terry and Kennedy Branstetter. A childhood friend told the publication that she grew up in a «proper» southern family and was instilled with the belief that finding a good husband was just as important, if not more important, than getting an education. «We had our little cliques, we chased boys, had parties, and drank. But I think her dreams were what was instilled in her», - said Lisa Hineman-Murr, a school friend and track teammate of Maggie’s. «She was from the South, and the Southern dream for a girl at that time was to finish college, maybe, but more importantly, find a husband, get married, and have children».
According to the New York Post, Maggie and Alex were living almost completely separate lives when Alex shot her. She was staying at a cottage in Edisto Beach, South Carolina, while Alex was in a hunting lodge in Allendale.
«Their marriage was absolutely on the brink», - said a family friend to the Daily Mail in November 2021. «Alex and Maggie did not look at each other as husband and wife», - he continued. «There was no love between them. I never saw them touch or show any tenderness towards each other».
A family friend who spoke to the New York Post following the alleged crime said that Maggie «lived for» her sons, Paul and Buster. «Maggie lived for her children», - said family friend Bubba Mixon. «She was at every school event. She was so sweet and kind. She never met a stranger. I can’t say enough good things about her. And I mean that».
A family member who spoke to the publication echoed the same sentiment. «She did everything for her children, possibly to excess», - he recalled. «Those boys wanted for nothing».
Clearly respected in the community that lost her, she was known as a down-to-earth and kind woman. «Maggie was more down-to-earth», - said a family member to The Post in the aforementioned report. «She could let her hair down and cuss you out and tell you to leave if she felt it. She had a great, dry sense of humor. She had that look when she rolled her eyes when someone did something stupid, like Alex or Paul».
According to a family member, despite being the wife of a prominent attorney, she also did not maintain a flashy lifestyle. «I wouldn’t say it was a dump, it was nice enough, but not what you’d expect from people who seemingly had millions to burn», - he said. However, he acknowledged that money was spent. «I mean, they never flew commercial as far as I remember. They always took charter flights».
According to People, Maggie reportedly consulted a divorce attorney just six weeks before her untimely death. A source familiar with the case told the publication that she had met with a divorce attorney
Alex also faced dozens of additional charges related to financial crimes, forgery, and more. His questionable past attracted widespread attention. A Netflix documentary series titled Murdaugh Murders was released for streaming in the same year, as well as a three-part documentary film titled Low Country: The Murdaugh Dynasty on HBO Max. But Murdaugh: Death in the Family on Hulu in 2025 once again brought attention to the case.
Scroll down to learn everything you need to know about Maggie Murdaugh, who was shot by her husband, Alex Murdaugh.
According to the New York Post, Maggie Murdaugh was born to high school sweethearts Terry and Kennedy Branstetter. A childhood friend told the publication that she grew up in a «proper» southern family and was instilled with the belief that finding a good husband was just as important, if not more important, than getting an education. «We had our little cliques, we chased boys, had parties, and drank. But I think her dreams were what was instilled in her», - said Lisa Hineman-Murr, a school friend and track teammate of Maggie’s. «She was from the South, and the Southern dream for a girl at that time was to finish college, maybe, but more importantly, find a husband, get married, and have children».
According to the New York Post, Maggie and Alex were living almost completely separate lives when Alex shot her. She was staying at a cottage in Edisto Beach, South Carolina, while Alex was in a hunting lodge in Allendale.
«Their marriage was absolutely on the brink», - said a family friend to the Daily Mail in November 2021. «Alex and Maggie did not look at each other as husband and wife», - he continued. «There was no love between them. I never saw them touch or show any tenderness towards each other».
A family friend who spoke to the New York Post following the alleged crime said that Maggie «lived for» her sons, Paul and Buster. «Maggie lived for her children», - said family friend Bubba Mixon. «She was at every school event. She was so sweet and kind. She never met a stranger. I can’t say enough good things about her. And I mean that».
A family member who spoke to the publication echoed the same sentiment. «She did everything for her children, possibly to excess», - he recalled. «Those boys wanted for nothing».
Clearly respected in the community that lost her, she was known as a down-to-earth and kind woman. «Maggie was more down-to-earth», - said a family member to The Post in the aforementioned report. «She could let her hair down and cuss you out and tell you to leave if she felt it. She had a great, dry sense of humor. She had that look when she rolled her eyes when someone did something stupid, like Alex or Paul».
According to a family member, despite being the wife of a prominent attorney, she also did not maintain a flashy lifestyle. «I wouldn’t say it was a dump, it was nice enough, but not what you’d expect from people who seemingly had millions to burn», - he said. However, he acknowledged that money was spent. «I mean, they never flew commercial as far as I remember. They always took charter flights».
According to People, Maggie reportedly consulted a divorce attorney just six weeks before her untimely death. A source familiar with the case told the publication that she had met with a divorce attorney
© Puhova Marina
