20/20 Tonight

“The Murdaugh Family Murders”: 20/20 Reports October 31 2025

by · October 28, 2025

ABC’s 20/20 returned on Friday, October 31, 2025, with a detailed special titled The Murdaugh Family Murders, timed to coincide with the premiere of Hulu’s new true-crime miniseries Murdaugh: Death in the Family. The episode takes viewers inside the real-life scandal that rocked South Carolina and the nation. At the center is Alex Murdaugh, a former attorney from a powerful Southern legal dynasty, now a convicted double murderer.

The broadcast features interviews with actors Patricia Arquette and Jason Clarke, who portray Maggie and Alex Murdaugh in the Hulu series, and with investigative journalist Mandy Matney, whose reporting and podcast helped expose the Murdaugh family’s secrets. Executive producers Michael D. Fuller and Erin Lee Carr also speak on adapting the saga for the screen, while Nightline co-anchor JuJu Chang guides the narrative through the many twists that define this deeply complex case.

The Murdaugh Dynasty: A Southern Legacy of Power

For generations, the Murdaugh family held legal authority across South Carolina’s Lowcountry. Three Murdaugh men served as solicitors for the 14th Judicial Circuit from 1920 until 2006. That influence extended into private legal practice through Peters, Murdaugh, Parker, Eltzroth & Detrick (PMPED), where Alex Murdaugh was a prominent personal injury attorney.

The family’s legacy was one of privilege and authority, but cracks had begun to show. Allegations of financial misconduct followed Alex for years. Those whispers grew louder after a fatal boat crash in 2019, in which his son Paul was the alleged driver. The Murdaugh name could no longer shield its members from growing scrutiny.

June 7, 2021: A Double Murder That Shook the Nation

Everything changed on June 7, 2021. That night, Alex Murdaugh called 911 to report that his wife, Maggie, and son, Paul, had been shot and killed near the dog kennels on their rural Colleton County estate. Paul, just 22, was awaiting trial for the 2019 boat crash. The killings sparked national headlines and speculation about motives and suspects.

Initial reports indicated Alex was not a person of interest, but investigators eventually focused on his inconsistent statements. A critical piece of digital evidence—a Snapchat video taken by Paul minutes before his death—placed Alex near the crime scene, despite his claims to the contrary.

Uncovering Fraud, Addiction, and a Faked Assassination

As the murder investigation progressed, prosecutors uncovered a broad pattern of financial fraud. Alex Murdaugh was accused of stealing from clients and his law firm, with losses totaling in the millions. He allegedly defrauded the family of longtime housekeeper Gloria Satterfield, who died in a mysterious fall at the Murdaugh home in 2018.

In September 2021, Alex survived a roadside shooting he later admitted was a staged suicide-for-hire attempt, intended to secure a $10 million life insurance payout for his surviving son, Buster. The scheme, involving a former client, collapsed and further revealed his desperation and unraveling state of mind.

Authorities also reopened investigations into two suspicious deaths with connections to the Murdaughs—Stephen Smith, a classmate of Buster who died under unexplained circumstances in 2015, and Satterfield’s questionable fall, which had initially raised few legal alarms.

The Trial of Alex Murdaugh: Guilt in the Courtroom

Alex Murdaugh was indicted for the murders of Maggie and Paul and stood trial beginning in January 2023. The prosecution argued he killed his family to distract from his escalating financial crimes, many of which were about to be publicly exposed. Cellphone data and Paul’s Snapchat video proved key in placing Alex at the murder scene minutes before the deaths occurred.

The defense tried to raise doubts, suggesting law enforcement had rushed to judgment. But after six weeks of testimony, the jury found Alex Murdaugh guilty of both murders. In March 2023, he was sentenced to two consecutive life sentences without parole.

Where is Alex Murdaugh Now?

As of 2025, Alex Murdaugh remains incarcerated at McCormick Correctional Institution, serving his life sentences. In addition to the murder convictions, he has pleaded guilty to 22 federal counts related to financial fraud and money laundering, involving nearly $9 million in stolen funds. State-level financial crime charges are still pending.

His disbarment from practicing law is permanent. The firm that once carried the family name has since rebranded and distanced itself from the Murdaugh legacy. While Alex Murdaugh awaits further proceedings, his downfall continues to send ripples through South Carolina’s legal system.

Maggie and Paul Murdaugh: Lives Lost in a Family’s Collapse

Maggie Murdaugh, 52, was described as a devoted mother and friend. Her life ended violently at the hands of her husband. Paul, her 22-year-old son, had been under public scrutiny for the 2019 boat crash that killed Mallory Beach, and he had reportedly received threats in the wake of the incident.

Their deaths were initially seen by some as possible retribution for the crash, but prosecutors ultimately tied their murders to Alex’s unraveling personal and professional life. Their loss remains central to the ongoing efforts by the Beach family and others to hold the Murdaugh estate accountable.

Buster Murdaugh: The Last Remaining Son

Richard “Buster” Murdaugh, Alex’s older son, has remained largely out of the spotlight since the murders and trial. He testified in his father’s defense, denying any knowledge of involvement. Public interest in Buster grew after speculation tied him to the reopened Stephen Smith investigation, though no formal charges have been brought against him.

Buster has reportedly been living quietly in South Carolina. He has also filed a lawsuit seeking to reclaim property allegedly taken from the Murdaugh estate through fraudulent means. His future remains uncertain, with questions still swirling around the remaining threads of the family legacy.

Cultural Impact and the Hulu Series Adaptation

Hulu’s Murdaugh: Death in the Family dramatizes this true story, drawing on journalist Mandy Matney’s reporting and podcast work. Patricia Arquette and Jason Clarke take on the roles of Maggie and Alex Murdaugh, exploring the emotional and psychological aspects behind the headlines. The series aims to humanize the victims while highlighting the dangers of unchecked privilege and corruption.

Executive producers Michael D. Fuller and Erin Lee Carr emphasize the importance of accountability and truth in retelling such a high-profile case. Through their portrayal and in conjunction with ABC’s in-depth 20/20 special, the Murdaugh saga is examined not just as a crime story, but as a mirror held up to institutions of power and influence in America.

Conclusion: The Collapse of a Southern Empire

The Murdaugh family case is one of the most dramatic downfalls of a legal dynasty in modern American history. What began as an investigation into a double homicide unveiled a vast network of financial crimes, cover-ups, and institutional failings. It exposed a system where wealth and connections shielded wrongdoing for decades—until the truth finally caught up.

ABC’s 20/20 episode and the accompanying Hulu miniseries serve not only as a recounting of events but as a stark reminder of how influence can be abused and how justice, even when delayed, can still prevail. The story of Alex Murdaugh and his family’s tragic descent continues to echo through courtrooms, communities, and now, into the cultural memory of a nation.

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Ryan Gill

Ryan is a passionate follower of true crime television programs, reporting on and providing in-depth investigations on mysteries in the criminal world.

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