Alex Murdaugh Turns Himself In For Plotting His Own Shooting In Insurance Fraud Scheme

South Carolina lawyer Alex Murdaugh has turned himself in to police after being suspected of arranging his near-fatal shooting in order to commit insurance fraud so that his son could inherit $10 million in life insurance.

The prominent former lawyer was shot in the head on a roadway by a man in a blue pickup truck last June. According to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, Murdaugh apparently knew the man.

Police say they conspired together to kill Murdaugh to have his life insurance funds passed down to his son.

The shooter has been identified as Curtis Edward Smith. Murdaugh confessed to authorities that he knew Smith after he represented him in court for previous drug charges. Smith also admitted to shooting Murdaugh.

Murdaugh’s attorney Dick Harpootlian claimed his client was “depressed and suicidal” after the tragic death of his wife Margaret, and his adult son, Paul, 22, back in June.

Margaret and Paul were found outside of their home one Islandton, South Carolina. Murdaugh discovered the bodies and made the 911 call. After the tragic deaths, his law license was suspended due to allegations of misappropriating funds at his firm. Murdaugh fell into a deep depression, which fueled his dependence on opioids and caused him to become more reliant on the drugs. Harpootlian blames other people for his client’s addiction and downfall.

“During that time, these individuals took advantage of his addiction and his ability to pay for substantial funds for illegal drugs,” said Harpootlian. “One of those individuals took advantage of his mental illness and agreed to take Alex’s life, by shooting him in the head.”

Murdaugh believed there was a clause in his insurance that would allow his estate to be given to his other son. Feeling suicidal and convinced the plan would work, Murdaugh enlisted Smith’s help but survived the shooting despite being shot in the head.