LIVE UPDATES: Hundreds attend funeral for Murdaughs before it ends swiftly due to rain

Kacen Bayless, Jake Shore, Lana Ferguson
·2 min read

Two members of a South Carolina powerhouse legal family, Paul Murdaugh, 22, and his mother Maggie Murdaugh, 52, were found shot to death outside their home in Colleton County on June 7. They were memorialized Friday in Hampton.

The double homicide being investigated by local and state officials sent shock waves through the state and gained national attention.

Here are the latest updates:

Celebration of life for Paul, Maggie

Friday, 12:19 p.m. The ceremony begins.

During the opening prayer, the pastor says Randolph Murdaugh III’s death Thursday “compounds the grief” the family is feeling.

Liz Murdaugh, Maggie’s sister-in-law, says Maggie was her sunshine and her soundboard. She said sports was a “theme” in Maggie’s life because she met her husband, Alex, that way and she loved watching her sons play. She was “happiest with her toes in the sand on Edisto” Island, where the family has a summer home.

Ronnie Crosby, an attorney at the Peters, Murdaugh, Parker, Eltzroth & Detrick law firm, talked about Paul’s love for the outdoors and hunting. He called him a bright and outgoing person.

Buster Murdaugh receives a hug in the pouring rain at the funeral service for his brother, Paul, and mother, Maggie, on June 11, 2021.
Buster Murdaugh receives a hug in the pouring rain at the funeral service for his brother, Paul, and mother, Maggie, on June 11, 2021.
A rainstorm swiftly conclude the funeral services for Paul Murdaugh and his mother Maggie on June 11, 2021. Some attendees stayed back to pay respects at the graveside.
A rainstorm swiftly conclude the funeral services for Paul Murdaugh and his mother Maggie on June 11, 2021. Some attendees stayed back to pay respects at the graveside.

Both speakers noted how close the Murdaugh family was, and Crosby added that Murdaugh III “chose to go to be with them” when he died Thursday.

EMS treated four attendees throughout the outdoor ceremony because of the heat. Temperatures in Hampton were in the mid-80s before a rainstorm rolled through after about an hour and the speakers quickly ended the service.

- Lana Ferguson

Friends, family gather for Murdaugh funeral

People begin to arrive at the celebration of life for Paul Murdaugh and his mother Maggie in Hampton, SC, on June 11, 2021.
People begin to arrive at the celebration of life for Paul Murdaugh and his mother Maggie in Hampton, SC, on June 11, 2021.

Friday, 11:55 a.m. Hundreds of people began gathering for Paul and Maggie’s funeral at Hampton Cemetery on Holly Street. Multiple law enforcement agencies were in the area directing traffic and surrounding the perimeter of the ceremony. A program for the event says speakers will include family, Ronnie Crosby who works at the Murdaugh family’s law firm, and local pastor Rev. Ross Chellis.

- Lana Ferguson

PAUL MURDAUGH MAY HAVE BEEN KILLER’S TARGET

Thursday, 6:57 p.m. Although officials have remained tightlipped about the Murdaugh double homicide investigation, some law enforcement sources say it’s possible Paul Murdaugh, 22, was targeted by the killer, while his mother, Maggie, 52, was killed because she was there by happenstance. The investigation is ongoing.

- Lana Ferguson

You can follow along with our previous coverage here.