Buster Murdaugh files defamation lawsuit against Netflix, Warner Bros. Discovery over alleged connection to Stephen Smith’s death
HAMPTON COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) – Buster Murdaugh, the son of convicted murderer Alex Murdaugh, has filed a defamation lawsuit against several media companies over claims they connected him to the death of Stephen Smith.
The lawsuit filed last week in Hampton County specifically names Netflix, Warner Bros. Discovery, Gannett Co., and other production and media companies over claims they connected him to the death of Stephen Smith.
Smith, a one-time classmate of Buster Murdaugh, was found dead on a rural Hampton County road after an alleged hit-and-run on the night of July 8, 2015. The case was reopened by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) in 2021 while they investigated the murders of Paul and Margaret Murdaugh due to new information. Buster, though, was never publicly named a suspect in the case.
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The lawsuit outlines several instances where media companies alluded to Buster Murdaugh’s connection to Smith’s death.
In one example, the lawsuit said Warner Bros. Discovery produced a series titled “Murdaugh Murders: Deadly Dynasty” which “falsely suggests and subtly accuses” Buster of murdering Smith. The suit references a 10-minute segment where Murdaugh is alluded to many times as Smith’s killer.
It also notes a Netflix series, “Murdaugh Murders: A Southern Scandal” which depicts a person resembling Buster Murdaugh carrying a baseball bat, referencing him as being Smith’s killer.
“The series publishes statements such as “everyone keeps coming up to me and saying it was the Murdaugh boys” and “listening to these statements it is pretty clear; Stephen’s death is intertwined with the Murdaughs.” The series falsely contains statements that the Plaintiff was engaged in a romantic relationship with Stephen Smith and that it was Plaintiff, and maybe two other individuals, who killed Stephen Smith,” the lawsuit stated.
Those representing Buster Murdaugh in this lawsuit wrote the statements are defamatory and falsely accuse their client of committing the crime.
They go on to say the myriad depictions and allegations have irreparably damaged Buster Murdaugh’s reputation and caused him mental anguish.
“Plaintiff is entitled to actual damages and punitive damages because of the reckless conduct of the Defendants in falsely accusing him of being involved in the murder of Stephen Smith,” the lawsuit said.
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