Where Is Alex Murdaugh Now? Inside His Life As He Awaits a New Trial

Alex Murdaugh's 2023 conviction of murdering his wife and son was overturned in May 2026

NEED TO KNOW

• Alex Murdaugh’s double-murder conviction was overturned in May 2026
• The former South Carolina attorney was found guilty of killing his wife and son in 2023
• Murdaugh has remained in prison for financial crimes, to which he pleaded guilty

Three years after Alex Murdaugh was convicted of killing his wife, Margaret “Maggie” Murdaugh, and son Paul Terry Murdaugh, his conviction was overturned.

On May 13, the South Carolina Supreme Court ordered a new trial on the grounds that Alex's appeal — which cited allegations that the trial was damaged by the "improper" influence of former Colleton County Clerk of Court Rebecca “Becky” Hill — warranted further proceedings.

“Although we are aware of the time, money, and effort expended for this lengthy trial, we have no choice but to reverse the denial of Murdaugh’s motion for a new trial due to Hill’s improper external influences on the jury and remand for a new trial,” the justices wrote.

The former prominent South Carolina attorney originally called authorities on June 7, 2021, and claimed that he had found Maggie and Paul shot to death near the dog kennels on one of their expansive properties. Following evidence found at the scene, Alex was arrested and convicted of both murders in March 2023.

During his highly publicized trial, prosecutors alleged that he killed his wife and son to cover up his financial crimes, which included stealing an alleged $12 million from his clients and firm, per NPR. Prosecutors claimed that he needed the money to maintain his opioid addiction and luxurious habits, per The Washington Post.

Alex was sentenced to two consecutive life terms for the murders of Maggie and Paul. He received an additional 40 years in prison after pleading guilty to 22 financial crimes.

Here's everything to know about Alex Murdaugh's crimes and where he is now.

Who is Alex Murdaugh?

Alex is a former prominent attorney from the Lowcountry region of South Carolina, along with his powerful Murdaugh family, who dominated the legal landscape in the southern part of the state for 100 years. In fact, the five-county district became known as "Murdaugh Country" due to three family members who consecutively served as solicitor for the state’s 14th Judicial Circuit from 1920 to 2006.

Each Murdaugh who served was in charge of prosecuting all criminal cases in the state's 14th circuit district, overseeing Allendale, Colleton, Hampton, Beaufort and Jasper counties.

Agents with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division responded to a 911 call saying that two people were dead near some dog kennels at the family's isolated Islandton home in Colleton County in July 2021. Maggie and Paul were found dead on the 1,770-acre property, where the family has a hunting lodge.

The Murdaugh family also had a home in Hampton, where the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division opened an investigation into the 2018 death of the Murdaughs' housekeeper, Gloria Satterfield, who died after what was purported at the time to be a trip-and-fall accident.

On Oct. 14, 2021, Alex was arrested and charged with misappropriating insurance settlement funds in the wrongful death suit that followed the mysterious death. This case numbered among the 22 financial crimes Alex pleaded guilty to.

What was Alex Murdaugh charged with?

Alex's attorneys issued a statement on Sept. 15, 2021, saying they learned of a warrant for his arrest and that he planned to voluntarily surrender to authorities. The next day, Alex turned himself in to the Hampton County Law Enforcement Center and was charged with insurance fraud, conspiracy to commit insurance fraud and filing a false police report.

Later, agents with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement took Alex into custody on Oct. 14, 2021. He was arrested and charged with misappropriating insurance settlement funds in the wrongful death suit that followed the trip and fall death of housekeeper Satterfield.

Alex was then held at the Richland County Detention Center with a bond set at $7 million, one of the highest bonds in state history. Then, in July 2022, he was arrested again on two counts of murder and two counts of possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime.

When did Alex Murdaugh's trial begin?

Alex's trial was held at the Colleton County Courthouse in South Carolina. It began on Jan. 23, 2023, with closing arguments wrapping up on March 1, per CNN.

On Feb. 23, Alex took the stand in his own defense during his weeks-long murder trial. Prosecutors revealed evidence that seemingly proved Alex repeatedly lied about his whereabouts on the day Maggie and Paul were killed.

Prior to the trial, he maintained that he hadn't been with Paul and Maggie at the family's dog kennels, where the pair was found slain. But on the stand, he admitted that he had been at the kennels.

"I lied about being down there, and I'm so sorry that I did," Alex said.

What was Alex Murdaugh's verdict?

On March 2, 2023, Alex was found guilty of the 2021 murders of Maggie and Paul. Jurors deliberated for less than three hours before delivering the verdict.

He was also found guilty of two counts of possession of a weapon in the commission of a crime.

What was Alex Murdaugh's sentence?

The day after he was found guilty of the murders of his wife and son, Alex returned to court for his sentencing, where he received two life sentences in, which would run consecutively.

In addition to facing the murder charges, Alex also had to stand trial for his 22 financial crimes. He was convicted of all charges, including bank fraud, wire fraud and money laundering. He was later sentenced to 40 years behind bars for his financial crimes.

Where is Alex Murdaugh now?

Due to the high-profile nature of his case, Alex's exact prison location has not been publicized. At one point, he was moved to a statewide protective custody unit within the prison, a state Department of Corrections spokesperson told CBS News in April 2023.

Shortly after he was convicted, Alex appealed his verdict on allegations of jury tampering, per CNN. Becky Hill, the clerk in his trial, was charged with misconduct and perjury in May 2025, according to The New York Times. Hill pleaded guilty in December and was sentenced to probation with no prison time, 100 hours of community service and $11,880 in restitution, per The State.

In May 2026, Alex's conviction was officially overturned, and he was granted a new trial by the South Carolina Supreme Court. The court ruled that there was "shocking jury interference" by a court clerk, per The New York Times.

Although his double-murder conviction has been overturned, he will remain in prison because of his financial crimes.