Michael M. DeWitt, Jr.|Augusta Chronicle
Just after noon on Friday, June 11, Margaret "Maggie" Murdaugh and Paul Murdaugh were laid to rest in the Hampton Cemetery in Hampton, S.C.
Margaret, 52, and her son, Paul, 22, were the victims of a brutal double homicide that occurred at their home in Colleton County on the night of Monday, June 7. The S.C. Law Enforcement Division (SLED) and the Colleton County Sheriff’s Office arestill investigating the shooting deaths, but as of midday Friday there have been no arrests reported and few details released.
Margaret, better known as Maggie to her friends, and Paul were laid to rest not far from Paul’s great-great-grandfather, Randolph Murdaugh, the first elected Solicitor of the S.C. 14th Judicial Circuit, who co-founded the Lowcountry legal giant, Peters, Murdaugh, Parker, Eltzroth & Detrick, more than 100 years ago. They will also rest near Paul’s great-grandfather, Randolph “Buster” Murdaugh, Jr., who served as 14th Circuit Solicitor for 46 years.
Latest Update: Murdaugh double homicide: SLED addresses the public, rumors, surrounding brutal crime
Also: Former 14th Circuit Solicitor Randolph Murdaugh III dies at home
In a matter of days, the two shooting victims will be joined by Paul’s grandfather, Randolph Murdaugh, III, who served in that Solicitor’s Office for almost 20 years, as someone named Randolph Murdaugh has held that post for a total of 85 consecutive years. Murdaugh III passed away at his home Thursday afternoon after extended health problems.
Hundreds of people, including law enforcement and public officials, attended the funeral Friday. It was a public funeral, but the media was kept at a respectful distance at the wishes of the family.
Margaret and Paul were well-known members of a well-known Hampton County family that recently made controversial headlines around the state and region, and the Murdaugh family — and indeed the entire Murdaugh dynasty — hasbeen the subject of much discussion in the media and on social media recently.
Background: Murdaughs killed in double homicide in Colleton County
In a high profile case that made news around the Southeast, Paul Murdaugh was facing felony charges in connection with a fatal boating accident allegedly involving alcohol that occurred in Beaufort County in 2019. A young woman, Mallory Beach, 19, lost her life in this crash, but Murdaugh had pleaded not guilty and the case was still pending at the time of his death.
As a result of this incident, and other controversial events involving this family over the years, many people in the Hampton and Beaufort County areas and elsewhere around the state have expressed negative feelings toward Murdaugh and members of his family to the media and on social media, while friends and colleagues of the Murdaughs have often come to their defense.
Others in the community have not lost sight of the fact that, despite any alleged incidents or pending criminal matters, a mother and her son were gunned down and their lives tragically ended in an act of violence.
The Guardian spoke to people who knew the Murdaughs, and some who didn’t, as they shared their feelings on this tragic case and the media coverage surrounding it, and shared memories of the lives lost.
Tangie Peeples Ohmer said that, while she had never met Margaret or Paul, she knew other members of their family and thought well of them.
Obituaries: Funeral arrangements set for Murdaugh family
“They are not the monsters the other media outlets are portraying them to be,” said Ohmer. “My problem with all of this is that, regardless of how anyone feels about Paul's past, a family lost a son, a grandson, a brother, nephew and cousin! And Maggie paid the ultimate price, as well.”
Katelyn Ginn, of Nixville, was a friend of the family.
“Our community has lost sight in the fact that two people have lost their lives,” said Ginn. “Most times in our community, when there is a tragic death, we pull together, put all things aside and support them. It should be no different for this family. God is love and we should show it no matter what others think or opinions that are spoken. A husband and father now have to live this life without his life partner and a child. His remaining child now has to live this life without his mother and a brother.
“We should not focus on the past or mistakes made, but the fact that there is a family that just had their world turned upside down. This family has my prayers and love is being sent their way as they have a very tough journey ahead.”
On June 8, the family of Mallory Beach issued a statement through their attorney, Mark B. Tinsley.
“The Beach family extends its deepest and warmest sympathies to the Murdaughsduring this terrible time. Having suffered the devastating loss of their own daughter, the family prays that the Murdaughs can find some level of peace from this tragic loss. They would like the family and the community to know that their thoughts and continued prayers are with the Murdaughs. It is their most sincere hope that someone will come forward and cooperate with authorities so that the perpetrator of these senseless crimes can be brought to justice.”
Reahnita Soto Tuten was a friend of Margaret and her sons were friends with Paul. She described Paul was a happy, lively, bright and well-spoken young man who loved hunting, fishing and being with friends. She described Margaret as a hospitable friend who loved to entertain, a loving and devoted mother, and a wonderful person who supported local businesses and the community.
"Regardless of all the rumors, these are two lovely people that we have lost," said Tuten.
According to the obituary prepared by the family, Margaret “Maggie” Kennedy Branstetter Murdaugh graduated from the University of South Carolina in 1991, where she met her husband, Alex. She was a member of Kappa Delta Sorority and has kept in touch with many of these friends over the years. Maggie and Alex, who worked in the PMPED law firm, raised their two sons in Hampton, S.C., and enjoyed spending their summers at their beach house in Edisto. She adored her family, and cherished spending time on the boat with her two sons. She will be remembered as a “second mom” to her sons’ many friends.
What we know: Members of Murdaugh family killed
Margaret is survived by her husband Richard Alexander Murdaugh (Alex), her oldest son Richard Alexander Murdaugh Jr. (Buster), her sister, Marian Branstetter Proctor (Bart), her parents Kennedy Hubbard Branstetter and Terry Lee Branstetter, her brothers-in-law, Randolph Murdaugh III (Christy), John Marvin Murdaugh (Liz), her sister-in-law, Lynn Murdaugh Goette (Allen), and her many nieces and nephews (Libby, Hannah, Kennedy, Mills, Trey, Reeves, Mary Elizabeth, Caroline, Mary Marvin, Liza Grace and Randolph).
Paul Terry Murdaugh grew up with a love for the outdoors, and particularly enjoyed hunting at their lodge in Moselle with his father, Alex, and brother, Buster. He was a Junior at the University of South Carolina, where he was often found cheering on the Gameco*cks with his friends and family.
The Peeples-Rhoden Funeral Home of Hampton assisted the family with arrangements for Margaret and Paul, and will be assisting with the arrangements for Randolph III later this week.
