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In 2015, Stephen Smith was found dead on a road near the home of the Murdaugh family. His death was originally believed to be a hit-and-run. But South Carolina Law Enforcement Division has just reclassified the death a homicide.

 The case received renewed attention after the conviction of Alex Murdaugh for the 2021 murder of his wife and son.

 Now, the family of Stephen Smith has set up a GOFundMe to raise money to exhume his body and conduct a new investigation into his death.

Sandy, Stephen Smith's mother, wrote on the GoFundMe page that they need a new, unbiased look at his body and an accurate determination of his cause of death based on facts. She pointed out that there was no debris in the road, and his injuries were not consistent with a hit-and-run. The fundraiser has already raised over $87,000, which is far more than its $15,000 goal.

Stephen was gay. And the Smith attorneys believe he may have been the victim of a hate crime.

Buster Murdaugh denies involvement in the Stephen Smith case

Buster Murdaugh, the son of Alex Murdaugh, has issued a statement denying any involvement in Stephen Smith's death. He said that he has been targeted and harassed by the media and followers of the story before, during, and after his father's trial.

He unequivocally denied any involvement in Smith's death. And said his heart goes out to the Smith family.

Buster testified on behalf of his father, who was convicted of killing his wife and son in 2021 and sentenced to life in prison. The case gained national attention and was featured in an episode of the television show"48 Hours." 

A Netflix documentary that coincided with Alex Murdaugh's trial has revived attention to several mysterious deaths in the small town, including that of Stephen Smith. 

The documentary sheds light on rumors that swirled in the town, alleging that Buster Murdaugh and his younger brother were potentially involved in Smith's death. But no charges were brought against anyone, and no suspects were named.

The investigation into Smith's death was reopened in 2021 while police were investigating the deaths of Maggie and Paul.  State police originally said that Smith got hit by a car while walking to get help after having car trouble. His family has always believed he was murdered.

Smith family attorneys investigate

Attorneys Eric Bland and Ronnie Richter announced during a news conference that they are representing the Smith family in their investigation. 

They expressed their commitment to hiring experts who can come into the case with a fresh set of eyes and an open mind. The attorneys claim that they want to be objective. And wherever the facts go, that's where the investigation will go.

The renewed investigation is "not an Alex Murdaugh 2.0 or any Murdaugh 2.0," Bland said. "This is a Stephen Smith 2.0. It's all about Steven."

Bland clarified that their job is not to find out who did it, because they are not law enforcement. They are just trying to help Smith's grieving mother find answers about her son's death.

The Murdaugh family has been a powerful influence in the state. And they have been district attorneys and lawyers for generations in South Carolina.

However, Alex Murdaugh's murder conviction of Maggie and Paul is not the only incident that has tarnished the family's reputation.

Besides Stephen Smith's death, the family's longtime housekeeper, Gloria Satterfield, died on their property in 2018. In 2019, a teenage girl, Mallory Beach, was killed in a boat accident on the Murdaugh boat. And the now-deceased Paul was allegedly responsible for driving drunk.

The revitalized investigation into Stephen Smith's death underscores the complexities of the Murdaugh family's legacy. And its impact on the small town where they have held generations of power and influence.