New ’20/20′ Episode Explores Gripping Murdaugh Family Murders Case

NEW YORK, NY — A new episode of ’20/20′ titled ‘The Murdaugh Family Murders’ is set to air on Friday, Oct. 31, at 9 p.m. ET on ABC. This installment delves into the complex saga of the Murdaugh family, which has captivated audiences for nearly five years.

The story began with the tragic death of 19-year-old Mallory Beach in a boating accident in February 2019. Her friend, Paul Murdaugh, the son of prominent local lawyer Alex Murdaugh, was the driver at the time. Paul faced serious charges, including potential prison time of up to 25 years, although he pleaded not guilty and was released on his own recognizance.

In June 2021, a devastating turn of events unfolded when Paul Murdaugh, aged 22, and his mother, Maggie Murdaugh, aged 52, were found shot dead on their family property in Islandton, South Carolina. Alex Murdaugh claimed he discovered their bodies upon returning home from an outing.

The podcast ‘Murdaugh Murders,’ hosted by Mandy Matney, closely followed these events and later evolved into a scripted series, ‘Murdaugh: Death in the Family,’ which airs on Disney Plus and Hulu weekly. Patricia Arquette, who depicts Maggie Murdaugh in the series, expressed her fascination with the story, noting the transformation of a respected family man into an alleged murderer.

In September 2021, just months after the deaths of his wife and son, Alex Murdaugh reported being shot in the head while changing a tire. However, skepticism arose about the details of the incident, leading to a subsequent investigation into financial irregularities at his law firm.

Following revelations of misappropriation of funds, Alex resigned from his firm and entered rehab for opioid addiction. By this time, he was already facing growing scrutiny over the homicides. In March 2023, a jury convicted him of murdering his wife and son, resulting in a sentence of two consecutive life terms.

During his sentencing, Alex maintained his innocence, while Judge Clifton Newman suggested that drug use may have influenced his actions surrounding the crime. His legal team has since appealed the conviction, which remains under consideration by the South Carolina Supreme Court.