Agents of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division Thursday arrested Richard
Alexander “Alex” Murdaugh, 53, in connection to the shooting incident on Sept. 4 in which
he conspired with Curtis Edward Smith to assist him in committing suicide for the explicit
purpose of allowing a beneficiary to collect life insurance.
Murdaugh was charged with insurance fraud, conspiracy to commit insurance fraud, along
with filing a false police report.
“I can assure you that SLED agents will continue working to bring justice to anyone
involved with any criminal act associated with these ongoing investigations,” said SLED
Chief Mark Keel. “The arrests in this case are only the first step in that process.”
This SLED investigation was requested by the Hampton County Sheriff’s Office.
Murdaugh was booked at the Hampton County Detention Center.
The case will be prosecuted by the Attorney General’s Office.
