The Chilling Geometry Of Death: 7 Key Facts Revealed By The Paul Murdaugh Crime Scene

The crime scene where Paul Murdaugh and his mother, Maggie Murdaugh, were brutally murdered on June 7, 2021, remains one of the most meticulously documented and forensically analyzed locations in modern South Carolina legal history. As of December 13, 2025, the details revealed by investigators from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) and presented during the subsequent double-murder trial have cemented the Moselle property kennels as a chilling tableau of violence, directly leading to the conviction of family patriarch Alex Murdaugh. The physical evidence found at the scene, specifically around Paul’s body, painted an undeniable picture of the final moments of the 22-year-old victim’s life and contradicted Alex Murdaugh’s initial alibi.

The investigation into the murders of Paul and Maggie Murdaugh quickly transcended a simple homicide case, evolving into a sprawling saga that exposed decades of financial crimes and legal corruption tied to the powerful Murdaugh family dynasty. The core of the prosecution’s case—the irrefutable timeline established by cell phone data and the ballistic evidence recovered from the kennels—began and ended with the precise, gruesome details of the crime scene itself, proving Alex Murdaugh was present just minutes before the slayings.

Paul Murdaugh: A Profile Before the Tragedy

Paul Murdaugh was the youngest son of Alex Murdaugh and Maggie Murdaugh, and a member of one of the most prominent legal families in the Lowcountry region of South Carolina.

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• Full Name: Paul Terry Murdaugh
• Date of Birth: April 14, 1999
• Date of Death: June 7, 2021 (Age 22)
• Parents: Alex Murdaugh and Maggie Murdaugh
• Sibling: Randolph “Buster” Murdaugh IV
• Education: Attended the University of South Carolina.
• Prior Legal Issues: At the time of his death, Paul was facing felony charges related to a 2019 boat crash that resulted in the death of 19-year-old Mallory Beach.
• Location of Death: The feed room of the dog kennels at the Murdaugh family's Moselle hunting lodge in Colleton County, SC.

The Grim Discovery at the Moselle Kennels

The Moselle property, a sprawling 1,770-acre hunting lodge, became the epicenter of the investigation. The bodies of Paul and Maggie were discovered by Alex Murdaugh, who called 911 at 10:07 p.m. on June 7, 2021, claiming he had just returned from visiting his mother, Libby Murdaugh.

The crime scene at the dog kennels was immediately recognized as highly volatile and complex. Paul's body was found inside the small feed room, a location he was known to frequent due to his affinity for the family's dogs.

The State of Paul’s Body and Immediate Evidence

Forensic testimony from the trial, particularly from pathologist Dr. Ellen Riemer, provided graphic, crucial details about Paul Murdaugh's fatal injuries.

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• Location: Paul's body was found slumped in the feed room.
• Weapon: He was killed by two shots from a 12-gauge shotgun, a different weapon from the one used to kill his mother, Maggie (a .300 Blackout rifle). The use of two distinct firearms suggested a deliberate and planned attack.
• The First Shot: The initial shotgun blast was to the chest/head area.
• The Fatal Shot: The second, devastating shot was delivered to Paul's head at extremely close range, causing massive cranial trauma. The shot's trajectory indicated Paul may have been kneeling or bent over when the fatal round was fired.
• Physical Evidence: Investigators collected critical ballistic evidence near Paul's body, including a plastic shot cup, a shot wad, two spent 12-gauge shotshells, and buckshot pellets.

The scene was further complicated by the fact that the body of Paul’s mother, Maggie, was found approximately 30 yards away from the feed room, indicating a pursuit or a brief separation before she was killed.

The Forensic Evidence That Shattered the Alibi

While the physical evidence was grim, the digital evidence recovered from Paul’s cell phone proved to be the single most important factor in securing Alex Murdaugh’s conviction. The crime scene was not just a physical location; it was a digital one, recorded moments before the murders.

The Infamous "Kennel Video"

The key piece of evidence was a 48-second video Paul recorded on his phone at the kennels at 8:44 p.m. on the night of the murders. The video, intended to show a dog, captured the voices of three people: Paul, Maggie, and Alex Murdaugh.

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• The Lie: Alex Murdaugh repeatedly told SLED investigators, including Colleton County detective Laura Rutland, that he was never at the kennels that night, claiming he was napping at the house before leaving to visit his mother.
• The Truth: Multiple witnesses, including friends of Paul, testified that the third voice in the video was undeniably Alex Murdaugh. This placed him at the exact scene of the crime just minutes before the time of death, which was estimated to be between 8:50 p.m. and 9:10 p.m.

This timeline contradiction, later confirmed by cell phone pings and data from Murdaugh’s Chevrolet Suburban, effectively destroyed his defense and established him as the last person to see Paul and Maggie Murdaugh alive.

Topical Authority: The Murdaugh Family Saga and Related Entities

The Paul Murdaugh crime scene is inextricably linked to a web of legal and financial malfeasance that became known as the Murdaugh Murders saga. The investigation quickly expanded beyond the double homicide to include numerous other entities and crimes, highlighting the deep corruption within the Lowcountry legal system.

Key Entities and LSI Keywords:

• Moselle: The name of the family’s vast hunting estate in Colleton County where the murders occurred.
• SLED (South Carolina Law Enforcement Division): The primary agency responsible for processing the crime scene and leading the investigation.
• Mallory Beach: The victim of the 2019 boat crash Paul Murdaugh was charged in connection with, a tragedy that many believe provided the motive for the murders.
• Buster Murdaugh: Alex and Maggie's surviving son, whose testimony was used to establish the family's routine and Paul's location.
• Blanca Simpson: The Murdaugh family housekeeper who testified about the state of the main house hours after the murders, noting that "nothing was right."
• Randolph Murdaugh III: Alex Murdaugh's father, who died shortly after the murders, adding another layer of tragedy and complexity to the timeline.
• Gunshot Residue (GSR): Evidence of GSR was found on a shirt Alex Murdaugh was wearing the night of the murders, further tying him to the use of a firearm at the scene.

The sheer volume of evidence—from the ballistic analysis of the 12-gauge shotgun shells found near Paul to the irrefutable digital evidence from the 'kennel video'—demonstrated the meticulous nature of the SLED investigation. The Paul Murdaugh crime scene was not just a place of death; it was the silent witness that ultimately spoke the truth, leading to the conviction of a man who believed his family's powerful legacy would shield him from justice. The case continues to be studied as a prime example of how modern forensic and digital evidence can overcome a powerful and deceptive defense.