The $738 Million Betrayal: Unraveling The Robert And Robbie Ford Double Murder-for-Hire Plot

The tragic story of Robert Marion Ford, Jr. and his son, Robbie Stetson Ford, remains one of the most chilling examples of family betrayal in recent memory. Occurring on a quiet night in 2018 in Conway, South Carolina, the double homicide was not a random act of violence but a calculated murder-for-hire plot orchestrated by a close family member for a $1 million inheritance. As of late 2025, the case continues to generate headlines, not just for the shocking crime itself, but for the staggering civil judgment that followed, underscoring the immense cost of greed and deceit.

This article provides an in-depth look at the lives of the victims, the meticulous investigation that uncovered the conspiracy, the shocking motive, and the current legal status of the convicted killer, a story that serves as a grim cautionary tale about the dark side of family wealth and trust.

Biography: Robert Marion Ford, Jr. and Robbie Stetson Ford

The victims, Robert Marion Ford, Jr., and his son, Robbie Stetson Ford, were pillars in their local community in Conway, Horry County, South Carolina. Their lives were tragically cut short on August 17, 2018, in an act of extreme violence.

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• Robert Marion Ford, Jr.
  • Age at Death: 59 years old.
  • Residency: Conway, South Carolina.
  • Family Status: Widower. His wife, Melda Ford (Robbie’s mother and Samantha’s stepmother), passed away in 2016. Robert received Melda Ford's assets upon her death, which he intended to leave to his son, Robbie.
  • Character: Described in his obituary and by those close to him as a kind, loving, and religiously oriented man. His trust in his daughter, Samantha Ford Rabon, was ultimately exploited, leading to his demise.
• Robbie Stetson Ford
  • Age at Death: 25 years old.
  • Residency: Conway, South Carolina.
  • Family Status: Son of Robert Marion Ford, Jr. and Melda Ford. Half-brother to the convicted killer, Samantha Ford Rabon.
  • Character: Like his father, Robbie was remembered as a kind and loving individual. He was the intended heir to his father's estate, a fact that sealed his fate.
• Final Resting Place: Both father and son were interred at Good Hope Baptist Church Cemetery in Conway, South Carolina.

The Shocking Discovery and the Horry County Investigation

The crime scene was discovered at the Ford home on Highway 19 in the Conway area. Both Robert and Robbie Ford were found shot to death in their yard. The initial investigation by the Horry County Police Department was complex, but key evidence quickly pointed toward a calculated plot.

Investigators soon focused on a vehicle connected to the crime. The subsequent detective work, which included the use of advanced forensic genealogy techniques, specifically through a partnership with Othram (a lab specializing in forensic DNA testing), was crucial in identifying the primary shooter, Grainger. This use of "DNA Solves" technology helped break the case wide open and led to the arrest of the individuals involved in the murder-for-hire scheme.

The investigation uncovered that the motive was pure financial greed. Robert Ford was a widower who had inherited assets from his late wife, Melda Ford. He planned to leave these assets, which included a substantial life insurance policy and other estate holdings potentially totaling up to $1 million, to his son, Robbie. This plan enraged Robert’s daughter, Samantha Ford Rabon, who was Melda’s stepdaughter and Robbie’s half-sister.

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Rabon, a resident of Conway, orchestrated the plot, hiring a man named Grainger to carry out the killings. The scheme included multiple layers of conspiracy, with an intermediary connecting Rabon to the hired killer. Grainger was convicted of two counts of murder, two counts of criminal conspiracy, third-degree arson, and possession of a weapon during a violent crime.

Samantha Ford Rabon’s Conviction and Current Legal Status

The trial of Samantha Ford Rabon captivated the nation, revealing a shocking level of betrayal. The prosecution successfully argued that Rabon was the mastermind behind the killings, driven by the desire to claim the $1 million inheritance. Her trial included compelling testimony from the man she hired, Grainger, who, in a bid for a reduced sentence, testified against her.

In February 2023, a jury convicted Samantha Ford Rabon of multiple charges, including murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and solicitation to commit murder.

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• Sentence: Rabon was sentenced to two consecutive life sentences plus 30 years in prison.
• Inheritance Status: Due to her conviction, she is barred from inheriting any of the money she sought, a legal principle preventing killers from profiting from their crimes.
• Current Status: As of late 2025, Samantha Ford Rabon’s case is reportedly on appeal to the South Carolina Court of Appeals, a common step in high-profile criminal cases.

The Unprecedented $738 Million Civil Lawsuit Judgment

While the criminal trial delivered justice in the form of life sentences, the family sought financial accountability through a wrongful death civil lawsuit. This legal action resulted in a massive, record-setting judgment that highlights the true cost of the victims' lives and the pain inflicted on the surviving family.

The civil suit, tried in Horry County, concluded with a jury awarding the victims' estate a staggering sum. The final judgment totaled $738 million, which included both compensatory and punitive damages.

• Compensatory Damages: These damages are intended to cover the actual losses suffered by the victims' estate and family, such as funeral expenses and lost future earnings.
• Punitive Damages: The vast majority of the award came from punitive damages, which are designed to punish the defendant (Samantha Ford Rabon) for the egregious nature of her crime and to deter similar acts in the future. The exceptionally high amount reflects the jury’s condemnation of the murder-for-hire plot.

Though the likelihood of the family collecting the full amount of such a massive judgment from a convicted felon is low, the award serves as a powerful moral and legal victory. It definitively established Rabon’s financial liability for the deaths of her father and half-brother, reinforcing the message that a life of greed-fueled betrayal carries a catastrophic price tag. The case has become a landmark example of how the civil justice system can provide a final measure of accountability even after a criminal conviction.