What is the series about?

Murdaugh: Death in the Family (Hulu, 2025) follows the shocking story of Alex Murdaugh, a powerful attorney from South Carolina, whose life and career collapsed under the weight of murder charges and revelations of massive financial fraud. The first episode, 'The Boat Crash and the Beginning', specifically focuses on the tragic boat accident in 2019, where Paul Murdaugh was at the helm. This incident was the catalyst for a series of events that stripped the Murdaugh name of its luster and led to one of the most talked-about trials in recent U.S. history. Director Erin Lee Carr weaves archival footage together with new interviews to illuminate how the family's influence in the legal system protected them from consequences for decades.

The real case

The real case behind the series centers on the murders of Maggie Murdaugh and her son Paul Murdaugh, who were found shot on the family’s hunting property, Moselle, in Islandton on June 7, 2021. The investigation, led by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), quickly revealed that Alex Murdaugh was not only the person who discovered the bodies but the primary suspect. During the investigation, it came to light that Alex Murdaugh had stolen over $4 million from a settlement case belonging to the family of his deceased housekeeper, Gloria Satterfield. Alex Murdaugh was found guilty of both murders in March 2023 and is now serving two life sentences without the possibility of parole.

Timeline of the case

The case is complex and spans several years with branches into both vehicular homicide and insurance fraud. It all culminated in the trial in Walterboro, South Carolina, where the prosecution presented crucial evidence in the form of a video from Paul Murdaugh's phone that placed Alex at the crime scene just minutes before the murders took place. In addition to the violent murders, the case has also shed light on corruption and abuse of power in the local legal system, where the Murdaugh family has held the position of solicitor for three generations. For those looking to understand the depth of the fraud, Murdaugh's financial crimes are an important element of the documentary.

Watch the series

The series can be streamed on Hulu and is available in Denmark via Disney+. Over three episodes, viewers get a unique insight into the many layers of deception that defined Alex Murdaugh's life, from the early signs of abuse of power to the final reckoning in court. The documentary is a must-see for anyone following true crime and wanting to understand how one man could destroy his own dynasty in such a short time.

Similar series on Truecrime News

If you are interested in cases involving powerful families and their downfall, you can also read about Murdaugh Murders: A Southern Scandal on Netflix, which covers many of the same events from a different angle. Additionally, the documentary about the fall of other American legal dynasties and the consequences it has for the community is recommended.

Sources

• South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) - Case Updates
• Hulu Official Series Page: Murdaugh: Death in the Family
• NPR: Alex Murdaugh Sentencing and Financial Crimes

Reviews

"Documentary series exploring the Murdaugh family's case and the crimes that unraveled their dynasty." — Hulu (N/A)