The murders of Maggie and Paul Murdaugh became one of the most infamous criminal cases in South Carolina history because of the Murdaugh family’s decades-long influence over the Lowcountry legal system. For nearly a century, the family held enormous legal and political power in South Carolina through the 14th Judicial Circuit and their law firm, PMPED, while building wealth through lawsuits, land holdings, hunting properties, and real estate investments across the region. On June 7, 2021, Maggie Murdaugh and her 22-year-old son Paul were found shot to death near the dog kennels on the family’s 1,772-acre estate in Colleton County. Paul was killed with a shotgun, while Maggie was shot with multiple rounds from a rifle. Alex Murdaugh, husband and father of the victims, called 911 to report finding the bodies.

Prosecutors argued Alex Murdaugh killed his wife and son to distract from mounting financial crimes and public pressure tied to lawsuits from the 2019 boat crash that killed 19-year-old Mallory Beach. Prosecutors said Murdaugh had stolen roughly $12 million from clients and pointed to cellphone evidence placing him near the kennels shortly before the murders, contradicting earlier statements to investigators. The state also emphasized his changing timeline, missing clothing, vehicle data, and lies to police. The defense argued the case was entirely circumstantial: the murder weapons were never recovered, no DNA directly tied Alex to the killings, and investigators mishandled the crime scene. Defense attorneys also pointed to unknown DNA under Maggie’s fingernails, possible alternate suspects connected to threats against Paul, and the use of two separate firearms.

Alex Murdaugh was convicted of murder in March 2023 and sentenced to two life terms without parole, but the verdict was later overturned because of misconduct allegations involving County Clerk Becky Hill. Defense attorneys accused Hill of improperly influencing jurors while promoting a book about the case. Jurors testified Hill encouraged them to closely watch Murdaugh’s body language. Hill eventually pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice, perjury, misuse of office, and sharing sealed evidence with a journalist. In May 2026, the South Carolina Supreme Court vacated Murdaugh’s murder convictions in a 5-0 ruling, finding Hill’s actions denied him a fair trial and that extensive testimony about his financial crimes may have unfairly prejudiced jurors. Murdaugh remains in prison on separate financial crime convictions while prosecutors prepare for a retrial.

00:00 Introduction and Overview of the Case

01:15 The Moselle Estate and the Murdaugh Family’s Power in South Carolina

03:05 The 2019 Boat Crash and Mallory Beach’s Death

04:40 Alex Murdaugh’s Extensive Financial Crimes

06:05 The Murders of Maggie and Paul Murdaugh

07:05 Investigation, Trial, and 2023 Murder Conviction

08:15 Becky Hill Allegations and Claims of Jury Influence

10:15 Becky Hill’s Guilty Plea and Court Findings

12:05 South Carolina Supreme Court Overturns the Verdict

14:10 Real Estate Fallout and Sale of the Moselle Property

18:21 Brian’s Argument for Reasonable Doubt

39:23 Brennan’s Argument Supporting a Guilty Verdict

55:06 Discussion of the Investigation and Retrial

56:17 Closing Summary and Current Status of Alex Murdaugh

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True Crime in Real Estate™ is reported journalism. Every name, charge, and figure is sourced from federal court filings, public records, law enforcement statements, and verified reporting. Pending cases are treated as allegations and the accused are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Nothing here is legal advice.

Sources:

Defendants: Shray Goel, 35 time of indictment, listed addresses Miami, Calabasas, & Milwaukee. Initially charged December 13, 2023, on a separate indictment. Shaunik Raheja, 34 at time of indictment, listed address in Denver. Added in the first superseding indictment, January 3, 2024.

Business entities used in the scheme: Abbot Pacific LLC and multiple other host names and LLCs.

Charges in the superseding indictment: Conspiracy to commit wire fraud, 13 counts of wire fraud. Goel additionally charged with two counts of aggravated identity theft. Wire fraud and conspiracy each carry a statutory maximum of 20 years federal.

Pleas: Goel pleaded guilty to wire fraud. Raheja pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice and admitted lying to federal agents during the 2023 investigation. Sentencing scheduled for late summer 2026.

Scheme dates: October 2017 through November 2019. Banned from Vrbo in 2015 prior to that for repeated cancellations and guest complaints, continued under fake host names.

Scale: Nearly 100 properties across 10 states. Approximately 10,000 reservations. Approximately $8.5 million in revenue, with about $7 million from Airbnb and about $1.5 million from Vrbo. Plea agreement stipulates a $1.5 million loss figure tied to the wire fraud count.

Jurisdiction: United States District Court, Central District of California, Los Angeles. Prosecuting office: United States Attorney's Office, Central District of California. Investigating agencies: FBI Los Angeles Field Office. Assisting: FDIC Office of Inspector General and Federal Housing Finance Agency Office of Inspector General.

Defense counsel of record at indictment: Michael G. Freedman, representing Shray Goel. Keri Curtis Axel, representing Shaunik Raheja.

Reporting:

NBC News, Pair indicted in alleged Airbnb, Vrbo rental property scam that netted $8.5 million, January 4, 2024.

CBS News, 2 indicted in $8.5 million Airbnb, Vrbo scam linked to 10,000 reservations across 10 states.

NBC 6 South Florida, Miami man indicted in $8.5M short-term rental scam with thousands of victims.

The Real Deal, Two Indicted in $8.5 Million Nationwide Airbnb, Vrbo Scam, January 7, 2024.

Federal Housing Finance Agency Office of Inspector General

First Superseding Indictment, United States v. Goel and Raheja, Central District of California.

Direct verification: United States Attorney's Office, Central