Alex Murdaugh gave up handling his son’s estate days before botched suicide, fraud scheme, records show

Alex Murdaugh, a descendant of South Carolina’s prominent legal dynasty, waived his right to personally represent the estate of his youngest son, Paul, just eight days before calling 911 to report he had been shot. in his head in what his defense attorney has since. claimed to be part of a botched plan to stage his own death so that his surviving son, Buster, could collect a $ 10 million life insurance policy.

On August 27, Murdaugh, 53, waived the right to personally represent the estate of his late son Paul, who, at the age of 22, was found murdered in the family’s hunting estate in June, according to court records recently obtained by the state, a Colombia-based newspaper SC Alex Murdaugh requested that his brother, Randolph Murdaugh IV, take over the management of the estate after its probate.

Meanwhile, Maggie Murdaugh’s estate remains closed.

SON OF ALEX MURDAUGH’S DEAD WOMAN ‘FEAR’, ‘SHELL SHOCKED’, AFTER SC LAWYER RELEASED FOR DRUG REHAB

The move came just days after 14th Circuit attorney Duffie Stone withdrew from the investigation into the Paul and Maggie Murdaugh murders, relying instead on the South Carolina attorney general’s office . The Murdaugh family held the previously elected office for three generations.

Alex Murdaugh dialed 911 on June 7, telling dispatchers he had returned home to find his wife, Maggie, and son, Paul, shot and lying on the ground outside the kennels on the homestead. in Islandton, located in Colleton County. No arrests were made in connection with the double murder.

Records show that Colleton County Estates Court Judge Ashley H. Amundson then certified Randolph Murdaugh IV’s application to represent the estate on September 2. Randolph Murdaugh IV, who is Paul’s uncle, is still listed as a lawyer on the website of the law firm, PMPED, in Hampton, South Carolina.

PMPED confronted Alex Murdaugh on September 3 over his alleged embezzlement. Reports claim Murdaugh embezzled at least over $ 1 million, but the company has not given a figure publicly.

Murdaugh himself dialed 911 at 1:34 p.m. on September 4 after suffering what authorities called a superficial gunshot wound to the head. He was taken to hospital and survived.

On September 6, Alex Murdaugh resigned from the law firm, releasing a statement that he “made a lot of decisions that I really regret” and was entering a drug rehab center. The South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) said Murdaugh later admitted to plotting to arrange his own death so that his 26-year-old son, Buster Murdaugh, could collect police $ 10 million life insurance.

Murdaugh said he provided Curtis Edward Smith, 61, a former legal client and his alleged long-time drug dealer, a gun, and they both made their way to Old Salkehatchie Road in Varnille located in Hampton County September 4. Smith reportedly fired once, brushing past Murdaugh, before leaving.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Smith was charged with Assisted Suicide, Highly Aggravated Assault and Assault, Robbery and Display of a Firearm, Insurance Fraud, and Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud. assurance. His bail was set at $ 55,000 on Thursday and he was later released, claiming in a subsequent interview from his front porch that he was trapped by Murdaugh.

Murdaugh surrendered later Thursday morning. SLED confirmed that he was arrested and charged with insurance fraud, conspiracy to commit insurance fraud and filing a false police report. Hampton County investigating judge Tonja Alexander set his bail at $ 20,000 and he was released on his own recognizance. He was allowed to return to an out-of-state rehabilitation center without GPS monitoring.