HAMPTON COUNTY GUARDIAN

Randy Murdaugh issues statement on recent events involving his brother Alex Murdaugh

The eldest brother in the prominent Murdaugh family of Hampton County has issued a statement pertaining to recent events involving Alex Murdaugh, the attorney who reported finding his wife and son shot and killed in early June and reported being shot in the head himself on Saturday, Sept. 4. 

Within two days of reporting a gunshot wound to his head, Alex Murdaugh was accused of misappropriating funds, has resigned from the powerhouse law firm his family helped establish, and announced he is entering rehab. 

His eldest brother, Randolph "Randy" Murdaugh, IV, is still an active partner at the Peters, Murdaugh, Parker, Eltzroth and Detrick PA (PMPED) law firm in Hampton, which was established by his great-grandfather more than 100 years ago. 

Murders, mystery, money:Here's a timeline of the Murdaugh family killings

On Wednesday, Sept. 8, the elder Murdaugh brother issued the following statement pertaining to recent events involving his younger sibling.

"I was shocked, just as the rest of my PMPED family, to learn of my brother, Alex’s, drug addiction and stealing of money. I love my law firm family and also love Alex as my brother. While I will support him in his recovery, I do not support, condone, or excuse his conduct in stealing by manipulating his most trusted relationships. I will continue to pursue my client’s interests with the highest degree of honesty and integrity, as I always have."

On Saturday afternoon, S.C. state police confirmed reports that Murdaugh had called 911 to report being shot in the head on Old Salkehatchie Road in Hampton County, and was transported to an area hospital with superficial injuries. 

At 2:28 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 6, The Hampton County Guardian received the following statement from Amanda Loveday, of NP Strategy, a public relations firm in Columbia, S.C., issued on behalf of Murdaugh.

“The murders of my wife and son have caused an incredibly difficult time in my life. I have made a lot of decisions that I truly regret. I’m resigning from my law firm and entering rehab after a long battle that has been exacerbated by these murders. I am immensely sorry to everyone I’ve hurt including my family, friends and colleagues. I ask for prayers as I rehabilitate myself and my relationships.”

From left are Alex, Randy IV and Randolph Murdaugh III in a photo taken at their law firm.

The Guardian has also received the following statement from the PMPED law firm in Hampton:

"On Friday, September 3, 2021, Alex Murdaugh resigned from the Law Firm. He is no longer associated with PMPED in any manner. His resignation came after the discovery by PMPED that Alex misappropriated funds in violation of PMPED standards and policies.

"A forensic accounting firm will be retained to conduct a thorough investigation. Law enforcement and the SC Bar have been notified by PMPED. This is disappointing news for all of us. Rest assured that our firm will deal with this in a straightforward manner. There’s no place in our firm for such behavior. Due to the ongoing investigations into these matters and client confidentiality, PMPED cannot comment further at this time. We encourage any client with questions to contact our offices regarding their file." 

Days after getting shot in the head, S.C. Lowcountry attorney Alex Murdaugh has resigned from the PMPED law firm in Hampton (pictured here), a firm his great-grandfather established.

Murdaugh is the son of the late Randolph Murdaugh III, a former 14th Circuit Solicitor like his father, Randolph Jr., and grandfather, Randolph Sr., before him. For more than 85 years, this trio served as chief prosecutors over the five-county Lowcountry region. 

In 1910, Randolph Sr. also founded a law firm in Hampton, S.C., that would grow to become PMPED. Several generations of Murdaughs have practiced law at this giant personal injury law firm, whose website lists millions in settlements recovered for its clients.

On the night of June 7, Murdaugh called 911 Dispatch to report that his wife Margaret, 52, and son Paul, 22, had been shot and killed at their Colleton County hunting estate. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) is handling the double homicide investigation, but no arrests have been made.

Since the killings, Alex Murdaugh and his surviving son, Buster, have offered a $100,000 reward for information leading to an arrest or arrests and convictions. 

Richard Alexander Murdaugh represents the fourth generation to practice law at the PMPED firm.

The Murdaugh family was already in the regional spotlight following the February 2019 boat crash in Beaufort County in which Mallory Beach, 19, lost her life and Alex's son, Paul, was facing three felony charges of felony boating under the influence.

Alex Murdaugh and others are still facing a wrongful death civil suit filed by Beach's mother, Renee, on behalf of Mallory's estate.

The as-yet unsolved double homicides of the Murdaugh family propelled the family into the international spotlight.