‘This has gone on far too long’: Buster Murdaugh releases statement on Stephen Smith’s death

HAMPTON COUNTY, S.C. (FOX Carolina) - Buster Murdaugh’s attorney Dick Harpootlian released a statement on Murdaugh’s behalf denying any involvement in the 2015 death of Stephen Smith.

The investigation into the death of Smith, whose body was found in the middle of a rural Hampton County road, has been controversial even among law enforcement officials. Smith’s mother, who has long called for further investigation into his cause of death, is raising money for an independent autopsy.

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division opened an investigation into Smith’s death after they said information was uncovered during the investigation into the murders of Maggie and Paul Murdaugh. However, no member of the Murdaugh family has been named as being involved in connection with his death.

Buster Murdaugh, who was a classmate of Smith’s, said he has been the subject of “baseless rumors” and is being harassed by the public and media.

Below is the statement released by Harpootlian on Twitter:

This statement was made less than an hour before Smith’s mother and attorneys held a press conference regarding his death investigation.

During the press conference, Smith’s legal team said they have never named Buster Murdaugh in connection with the case.

“Buster is a victim. He lost a mother, brother and now his father’s in jail,” attorney Eric Bland said. “Buster, as we know, has nothing to do with this. And whatever is mentioned in the records, that’s what investigators are going to look at. But we have no knowledge at all about Buster or the Murdaughs having anything to do with this right now. We’re starting with a fresh set of eyes.”

READ MORE: Law firm to hold press conference on Stephen Smith’s death investigation

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