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(CNN) South Carolina law enforcement is investigating the death of Stephen Smith, a 19-year-old nursing student whose body was found in the middle of a South Carolina road in 2015, as a homicide, an agency spokesperson said. told CNN.
A spokesperson for SLED also confirmed that an investigation found no signs suggesting Smith’s death was a hit and run.
Smith’s body was found in Hampton County on July 8, 2015.
SLED announced in June 2021 that it would open an investigation into Smith’s death based on information obtained during the investigation into the murders of Margaret “Maggie” Murdow and her son Paul Murdoh. Details of what was found were not disclosed.
Authorities have not released a connection between Smith’s death and the Murdow family. Patriarch Alex Murdau was convicted earlier this month and sentenced to life in prison for the murders of Maggie and Paul on the night of June 7, 2021. Murdoh appealed. his belief.
The South Carolina Highway Patrol announced to CNN during an interview for case files from the initial investigation.
In an audio interview with a witness at the time, Todd Proctor said, “Buster was on our radar.. Murdoh knows it.” But why was he on their radar? is unknown. Neither he nor anyone else was charged in the case.
Smith’s former classmate Buster Murdau denied any involvement in Smith’s death and released a statement saying, “I demand the media immediately stop publishing these defamatory comments and rumors about me.” .
“This has gone on too long,” his statement said. “These baseless rumors regarding my involvement with Stephen and his death are false.”
According to first reports
An incident report from the State Highway Patrol indicated that Smith suffered blunt force trauma to the head.
A pathologist cited in the SLED report said Smith appeared to have been hit by a car, but the responding officer, referred to in a report by the Highway Patrol’s multidisciplinary accident investigation team, said “vehicle debris, There were no slip marks or injuries consistent with anyone.” get run over by a car. ”
According to reports, Smith’s shoes were also worn and loosely tied.
“According to family members, Stephen never walked in the middle of the driveway,” he said, adding that he was “very sly.”
According to notes taken by SLED agents at the scene, Smith sustained injuries to his left arm, hand and head.
According to the report, his car was found about three miles away with the gas tank door open and a gas cap hanging on the side of the car. The vehicle’s battery was working, but the car would not start, the report added.
mother looking for answers
In a news release on Tuesday, attorneys for Smith’s family praised the decision to classify Smith’s death as a homicide.
Attorney Eric Brand said, “We have a chance to right eight years of wrongs, and we intend to do just that.
Smith’s family has raised more than $84,000 through the GoFundMe page to seek a new, unbiased investigation of Smith’s remains and a more accurate, fact-based determination of his cause of death, according to Smith’s mother. Says.
Smith’s mother and her attorney said they will petition the court to proceed with the exhumation of Smith’s body, which requires a judge’s permission.
“Our job is not to find out who did it,” Bland told reporters at a virtual press conference on Monday. “That’s not what we do. We’re not law enforcement.” We’re not even dealing with criminal cases, what we’re really trying to do is give mothers answers.”
The investigation will also include looking into Smith’s life and how he communicated and who he was dating in the days before his death, Bland added. Anything learned will be shared with law enforcement.
CNN’s Dianne Gallagher contributed to this report.
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