Elizabeth “Libby” Murdaugh, Alex Murdaugh’s mother who was instrumental in her son’s adamant denials that he killed his wife and son, has died
VARNVILLE, S.C. — Elizabeth “Libby” Murdaugh, Alex Murdaugh’s mother who was instrumental in her son’s adamant denials that he killed his wife and son, has died.
Libby Murdaugh was in hospice care Tuesday when she died, according to Peeples-Rhoden Funeral Home in Hampton County. She was a librarian and teacher in lowcountry South Carolina.
Libby Murdaugh had been in declining health for years due to dementia. Her son had just visited her in June 2021 when he returned to his home about 11 miles away and found Maggie and Paul Murdaugh shot to death outside, according to his 911 call.
Cell phone records showed that Alex Murdaugh was telling the truth about where he was going, although he appeared to overestimate the time he spent there.
But a video — taken by his son just minutes before he and his mother’s cellphones were never used again — showed Alex Murdaugh was with them and prosecutors convinced a jury that Murdaugh had enough time to kill them, evidence to clean up and go to his mother’s house. and back.
Libby Murdaugh’s health prevented her from testifying at her son’s trial last year. Alex Murdaugh is serving two life sentences after being convicted of two murders.
Libby Murdaugh was married to former attorney Randolph Murdaugh III for 60 years. The elected prosecutor, along with his father and grandfather, oversaw criminal cases in Hampton County and surrounding areas for nearly nine decades.
The night of the murders, Randolph Murdaugh III was in the hospital. He died three days later.
Shelley Smith, who cared for the elderly Murdaughs in their home for four years, testified during the murder trial that they were wonderful people and just like her own family.