Stephen Smith's Death Ruled a Homicide Amid Murdaugh Investigation

South Carolina authorities are investigating the death of Stephen Smith as a homicide, nearly eight years after the 19-year-old was found dead in the middle of a rural road from what was ruled to be a hit-and-run. Stephen Smith's case was reopened in June 2021 after discovering new evidence during the investigation into the murders of Maggie and Paul Murdaugh. Lawyers representing his mother announced that the death is now being considered a homicide Tuesday night, citing a phone call with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED).