Double murderer's only surviving son brands his dad a psychopath

03 September 2023 , 21:34

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Alex Murdaugh's son Buster has spoken about his father's trial in a new documentary (Image: AP)

The sole surviving son of convicted double murderer Alex Murdaugh has spoken out, saying it's a "fair assessment" to call his father a psychopath.

However, Richard Alexander 'Buster' Murdaugh Jr said he still doubts his father killed his wife and son. Speaking to Fox Nation about the infamous case, he said: "I think that I hold a very unique perspective that nobody... ever held. And I know the love that I have witnessed."

55-year-old Murdaugh is serving life in prison without parole for shooting dead his wife, Margaret, and their younger son Paul, at their South Carolina home in June 2021. Prosecutors said Murdaugh feared authorities were above to prove he stole millions from his law firm and clients, and killed his wife and son in an attempt to gain sympathy and delay investigation.

Alex Murdaugh was found guilty of killing his wife and younger son (AP)

The murders sparked interest across the US, partly as they happened after Paul was reportedly involved in a deadly boat crash in February 2019. The disbarred attorney's murder trial drew huge media interest before he was found guilty in March.

The complex story has spurred several documentaries, including The Fall of the House of Murdaugh, the new film from Fox Nation. In the series, Buster, who wasn't home when his brother and mum were murdered, says calling his father a psychopath is justifiable.

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"Certainly, I think there are characteristics where you look at the manipulation and the lies and the carrying out of that such, and I think that is a fair assessment," said the 29-year-old. Buster testified at trial about his father's drug addiction, but also insists his father did not receive a fair shake from the jury.

Paul, Alex, Maggie and Buster Murdaugh

Alex Murdaugh's latest mugshot from March 2023 (South Carolina Department of Cor/UPI/REX/Shutterstock)

"I do not believe it was fair," he said. "I think, unfortunately, a lot of the jurors felt that way prior to when they had to deliberate. It was predetermined in their minds prior to when they ever heard any shred of evidence that was given."

Buster says he didn't think his dad "could be affiliated with endangering" Margaret, 52, or Paul, 22. He also says his mother and brother's real killer remains free.

"I think I set myself up to be safe, but yes - when I go to bed at night, I have a fear that there is somebody [who] is still out there", said Buster. He also denies having an involvement in the killing of a former classmate, 19-year-old Stephen Smith.

Maggie, Paul and Alex Murdaugh

Stephen's body was found on a road near the Murdaugh family estate in summer 2015. Authorities initially attributed his death to a hit-and-run crash, however in April police said they were investigating his death as a homicide and had his body exhumed for a private autopsy.

In the documentary, Buster says he did not have "anything to do with [Stephen] on a physical level in any regard" around the time of his death. He says he was at a beach house with his mum and brother when Stephen was killed.

No charges have been filed in relation to Stephen's death. Investigators have never said there is any evidence tying Buster to the case. He said: "It's a terrible thing to place on somebody with absolutely no fact."

Fiona Leishman