Was Buster Murdaugh Implicated? Separating Fact from Rumor in the Murdaugh Family Saga
Q1: Was Buster Murdaugh ever charged in connection with Stephen Smith's death?
A1: No. Law enforcement agencies, including the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), have never named Buster Murdaugh a suspect or charged him with any crime regarding the 2015 death of Stephen Smith.
Q2: What was the outcome of Buster Murdaugh’s defamation lawsuits against media networks?
A2: On February 12, 2026, Buster Murdaugh settled his defamation claims against major media and streaming documentary production companies out of court. The specific financial terms remain confidential.
Q3: Did Buster Murdaugh inherit any money from his family's estate?
A3: Most of the family wealth was seized for victim restitution and legal judgments. Buster received an approved distribution of approximately $530,000 from the court-mandated sale of the Moselle estate.
Q4: Where does Buster Murdaugh live today?
A4: Buster lives quietly in coastal South Carolina with his partner, Brooklynn White, working in the private sector and avoiding the public spotlight.