Alex Murdaugh is a disbarred South Carolina lawyer whose name has stayed in the news for years. This Alex Murdaugh biography explains who he is, where he comes from, his family and why people are searching for him again today.
Who Is Alex Murdaugh and Why It Matters
Richard Alexander Murdaugh, known to everyone as Alex, was born on May 27, 1968. He grew up in a family of lawyers in the Lowcountry, a coastal area of South Carolina. For almost a hundred years, three men named Randolph Murdaugh held the job of top local prosecutor in a five county area. That is why locals called the region “Murdaugh Country.” Alex followed the family path into law and worked as a personal injury lawyer.
So why does his story matter? Picture a huge old oak tree. From far away it looks strong and proud. Up close, you may find the roots have been rotting for years. Many people describe the Murdaugh name in just that way. A powerful family looked solid from the outside, but court records later showed deep trouble inside.
On June 7, 2021, his wife Maggie and younger son Paul were shot and killed at the family property in Colleton County. Alex has always said he did not kill them. He has also admitted he stole money from his own clients, and he is in prison for that. The case grew into books, podcasts, documentaries and a Hulu series called Murdaugh: Death in the Family, which started streaming on October 15, 2025.
Current Status as of October 16, 2026
Why is Alex Murdaugh trending right now? Because he was back in court today. A judge in Lexington, South Carolina, held a pretrial hearing as both sides argue over what evidence a jury will be allowed to see at his second murder trial.
The biggest news from the hearing is about DNA. The judge said Alex’s lawyers can run their own tests on unknown DNA found under Maggie’s fingernails. Reports say the DNA belongs to a male who is not a member of the Murdaugh family, and investigators have not found a match. The defense also wants records from shootings in eight nearby counties that involved the same type of gun. On top of that, they asked whether prosecutors are looking into a police officer who was a friend of Alex. Prosecutors would not say, pointing to rules about grand jury secrecy.
Important dates in the case
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| June 7, 2021 | Maggie and Paul Murdaugh were found shot at the family home |
| September 3, 2021 | Alex resigned from his law firm after questions about missing money |
| July 12, 2022 | The South Carolina Supreme Court disbarred him |
| March 2, 2023 | A jury found him guilty of both murders |
| November 2023 | He pleaded guilty to state financial crimes and got 27 years |
| April 1, 2024 | He was given 40 years in federal prison for fraud |
| May 13, 2026 | The state Supreme Court threw out the murder convictions |
| April 5 (next year) | Retrial set to begin in Sumter County |
Please note: The murder convictions were overturned because a court clerk was found to have influenced jurors during the 2023 trial. That ruling did not say whether Alex is guilty or innocent of the killings. He is expected to face a new jury, and he remains in prison no matter what happens, because of his financial crime sentences.
What to Know About Alex Murdaugh
Early Life and Family Background
Alex is the fourth generation of his family to work in law. His great grandfather, Randolph Murdaugh Sr., became the local prosecutor in 1920. His grandfather, Randolph “Buster” Murdaugh Jr., held the job from 1940 to 1986. His father, Randolph Murdaugh III, held it from 1986 to 2006. Alex grew up with three siblings: Lynn, Randy and John Marvin. The family also owned a large hunting estate near Islandton called Moselle, which later became the place where Maggie and Paul died.
Career
After law school, Alex joined the family law firm, which handled injury lawsuits. He also volunteered part time in the local prosecutor’s office. For years he looked like a successful, well known attorney.
That image fell apart in September 2021. The firm questioned him about missing money, and he resigned on September 3. The next day he was grazed by a gunshot on a country road. He later admitted he had planned it with a former client, hoping his surviving son would receive an insurance payout. He was disbarred in July 2022.
Prosecutors said he stole around $12 million from clients and others. One well known example involved Gloria Satterfield, the family housekeeper who died after a fall in 2018. An insurance payout meant for her sons never reached them. Alex pleaded guilty to the state charges in November 2023 and was sentenced to 27 years. In April 2024 a federal judge gave him 40 years, to be served at the same time, and ordered him to repay about $8.7 million to known victims.
Age
Alex Murdaugh was born on May 27, 1968. As of October 16, 2026, he is 58 years old. His birth sign is Gemini.
Religion
There is no reliable public record of his religion. He has not made it a public topic, so we will not guess.
Wife and Children
Alex married Margaret Kennedy Branstetter, called Maggie. She was born on September 15, 1968, and died on June 7, 2021, at age 52. The couple had two sons. Richard Alexander Murdaugh Jr., known as Buster, was born on April 11, 1996. Paul Terry Murdaugh was born on April 14, 1999, and died at 22. Buster has said he believes his father is innocent of the killings.
Net Worth
No trusted number exists. Alex once earned a high income as a lawyer, but his bank accounts and property were frozen by a judge in November 2021 and placed under outside control. Family land was sold, he lost his law license, and he owes millions to victims. Be careful with websites that show a neat net worth figure. They are guessing.
Quick fact: The Moselle land was sold in pieces. The main acreage went for $3.9 million, and the house with about 21 acres was resold in 2024 for $1 million.
Parents
His father, Randolph Murdaugh III, was born on October 25, 1939, and died of natural causes on June 10, 2021, only three days after the shootings. In 2019 he received the Order of the Palmetto, the highest civilian honor in South Carolina. His mother is Elizabeth “Libby” Alexander Murdaugh. His parents married in 1961.
Height
No court paper or major news outlet gives a confirmed height for Alex Murdaugh. Any number you see online is a guess, so we leave it out.
Education
Alex finished his bachelor’s degree at the University of South Carolina in 1990. He then earned his law degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1994.
State of Origin
Alex Murdaugh is from South Carolina. His family roots are in the Lowcountry, near Hampton County, where his great grandfather started the family law practice in the town of Hampton.
Social Media and News Links
We could not confirm any official social media page for Alex Murdaugh, and he is in prison. If you find an account claiming to be him, treat it as fake. For real updates, follow trusted news pages instead:
Tip: Court dates can move. Check the news links above before you share any date from this page.
FAQ
Who is Alex Murdaugh?
Alex Murdaugh is a disbarred South Carolina lawyer from a long line of local prosecutors. He is in prison for stealing from clients and is awaiting a second trial on charges that he killed his wife Maggie and son Paul. He denies the killings.
How old is Alex Murdaugh?
He was born on May 27, 1968, so he is 58 years old as of October 16, 2026.
Is Alex Murdaugh still in prison?
Yes. Even though his murder convictions were overturned, he is serving a 40 year federal sentence and a 27 year state sentence for financial crimes. The two sentences run at the same time.
Why were Alex Murdaugh’s murder convictions overturned?
On May 13, 2026, the South Carolina Supreme Court ruled that a court clerk influenced jurors during the 2023 trial. The clerk told jurors to watch his body language when he testified. The court ordered a new trial.
When is the Alex Murdaugh retrial?
The judge set the retrial to begin on April 5 next year. It was moved to Sumter County, about 80 miles from Colleton County, because of heavy local news coverage.
Who was Alex Murdaugh’s wife?
His wife was Margaret “Maggie” Kennedy Branstetter Murdaugh. She was born on September 15, 1968, and was killed on June 7, 2021, along with their son Paul.
Final Word
The Alex Murdaugh story has more twists than most people can track. A famous legal family, a double killing, a long list of stolen money and a court ruling that wiped out a murder conviction all sit in one file. Today’s hearing shows the fight is far from over.
For now, the facts are clear on two points. Alex Murdaugh will stay in prison because of his financial crimes, and the charges about Maggie and Paul will be decided by a new jury. Until then, read trusted sources and avoid rumors.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. It is based on public news reports available up to October 16, 2026, and it is not legal advice. Alex Murdaugh is presumed innocent of the murder charges unless a court decides otherwise. Facts and court dates may change as the case moves forward.
