Star Murdaugh trial witness probes mysterious death of Buster’s former classmate

The prima witnesser successful the Alex Murdaugh treble execution proceedings is present independently investigating the 2015 decease of Stephen Smith and says idiosyncratic "has a bully thought who committed this."

Kenny Kinsey, a forensic researcher who testified for the prosecution successful the 2023 Murdaugh execution trial, said connected investigative newsman Anne Emerson’s "Criminally Obsessed" podcast that aft reviewing the evidence, helium believes cardinal opportunities were missed aboriginal successful the case.

Stephen Smith, a 19-year-old nursing pupil and erstwhile classmate of Buster Murdaugh, was recovered dormant connected July 8, 2015, successful the mediate of a agrarian Hampton County, South Carolina roadworthy conscionable miles from the Murdaugh family’s hunting estate.

Smith, who was openly gay, had been walking on Sandy Run Road aft his car broke down erstwhile a passing operator called 911 to study his body. He suffered a 7½-inch skull fracture. Authorities initially described the decease arsenic a hit-and-run.

MURDAUGH LAWYER ‘CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC’ COURT CLERK’S MISCONDUCT COULD PAVE WAY FOR NEW TRIAL

Stephen Smith poses with his mother, Sandy Smith, astatine his precocious schoolhouse graduation. He was killed July 8, 2015, successful what South Carolina authorities initially designated a hit-and-run.  (Findagrave.com)

Kinsey said helium has reviewed the archetypal investigative file, examined findings from the 2nd autopsy, analyzed constabulary interviews and walked the agelong of roadworthy wherever Smith’s assemblage was discovered astir 11 years ago.

He said his forensic investigation indicates Smith’s fatal injuries were connected to a vehicle, but declined to item circumstantial coiled patterns.

ALEX MURDAUGH SLAMS NEW TRUE CRIME SERIES DEPICTING FAMILY'S DOUBLE-MURDER: 'MISLEADING PORTRAYALS'

However, Kinsey emphasized that determining who was liable falls to investigators.

"I don’t cognize the who," helium said. "That portion comes from the investigation."

MURDAUGH FAMILY HOUSEKEEPER SAYS WHITE TRUCK ‘HAUNTS’ HER FROM NIGHT OF MURDERS YEARS AFTER

A transverse marks the spot wherever Stephen Smith was recovered dead, Hampton County, South Carolina, February 28, 2023. 19-year-old Stephen Smith's assemblage was recovered present successful 2015. (Mark Sims for Fox News Digital)

During the podcast interview, Kinsey described what helium called "missed opportunities" successful the aboriginal stages of the case, saying delays and jurisdictional disorder tin marque cases harder to lick implicit time.

"Memories fade. People permission this earth," Kinsey said. "Those missed opportunities — you don’t get that back."

The probe into Smith’s decease was reopened successful June 2021 — conscionable 2 weeks aft Maggie and Paul Murdaugh were changeable and killed astatine the family’s Colleton County hunting estate.

At the time, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) said it had uncovered accusation related to Smith’s decease portion investigating the Murdaugh murders but declined to supply details.

GOT A TIP?

Stephen Smith's assemblage was exhumed implicit the play and a 2nd autopsy was performed arsenic portion of the probe into his homicide.  (Findagrave.com/Courtesy of FitsNews)

In 2023, SLED announced that Smith’s decease was being investigated arsenic a homicide. His assemblage was aboriginal exhumed, and a 2nd autopsy was performed. The findings of that autopsy person not been publically released.

Pathologist Dr. Michelle DuPre, who oversaw the 2nd autopsy, antecedently told Fox News Digital that Smith’s injuries were accordant with being struck by an entity attached to a conveyance traveling astatine a precocious complaint of speed.

FOLLOW US ON X

"Scientifically, medically and forensically, we cognize what happened, but we don’t cognize who did it," DuPre said astatine the time.

For years, unsubstantiated speculation circulated publically tying Smith’s decease to members of the Murdaugh family.

GET BREAKING NEWS BY EMAIL

Buster Murdaugh watches his father, Alex Murdaugh, attest during his treble execution trial. (POOL)

Buster Murdaugh issued a connection successful March 2023 denying immoderate engagement and calling the allegations "baseless rumors."

Kinsey told Emerson helium saw nary grounds linking the Murdaugh household to Smith’s death.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE US NEWS

"I saw thing that would marque maine adjacent gully an inference that that’s to beryllium true," helium said.

Stephen Smith’s parent has continued to propulsion for answers arsenic the lawsuit approaches a grim milestone.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

July 8, 2026, volition people 11 years since the 19-year-old was killed.

Authorities person offered a $50,000 reward for accusation starring to arrests and convictions successful the case. SLED has said the probe remains progressive and ongoing.

Stepheny Price covers crime, including missing persons, homicides and migrant crime. Send communicative tips to [email protected].