Stephen Smith's Death Ruled Homicide by Attorney and Law Enforcement

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) is now considering Stephen Smith's death a homicide, according to Bland Richter Law Firm. Smith's body will be exhumed as part of the investigation. The 19-year-old was found dead in 2015, and his death was initially ruled as a hit-and-run. However, the cause and circumstances of his death have been debated, even among law enforcement agencies. SLED reopened the investigation into Smith's death in 2021, citing new evidence that was uncovered while investigating the murders of Paul and Maggie Murdaugh.