Maggie Murdaugh's Parents and Sister Are Seeking Solitude Today (2024)

When Margaret “Maggie” Branstetter Murdaugh and her younger son Paul Terry Murdaugh were found shot to death on June 7, 2021, no one ever expected her long-time husband to be involved. However, as profiled in Netflix’s ‘Murdaugh Murders: A Southern Scandal,’ once-attorney Richard Alexander “Alex” Murdaugh is, in fact, the once accused of this double homicide on evidentiary grounds. Yet for now, if you simply wish to learn more about the loudest voices hoping to attain some justice in connection to this matter — Maggie’s immediate family — we’ve got the essential details for you.

Who Are Maggie Murdaugh’s Parents and Sister?

It was back on September 15, 1968, that Maggie was born to Terry Lee Branstetter and Kennedy Hubbard Branstetter in a cozy, happy, healthy, loving, stable household in Wilmington, North Carolina. Though despite the fact she did have a sibling in Marian Branstetter (June 5, 1963), they were never really close owing to their 5-year age gap as well as their differences in core passions/interests. Things did change for the duo once they grew up, completed their studies in South Carolina, and actually settled down, but alas, they eventually had to part ways in one of the worst ways imaginable.

Maggie Murdaugh's Parents and Sister Are Seeking Solitude Today (1)

Marian still remembers having a lot of fun with her younger sister, just bringing their families together for years, only to then talk on call nearly every single day when they became empty nesters. “Maggie was sweet,” she said. “She was kind of a free spirit; she was always up for anything that was going on. She loved her family. She loved her boys; Buster and Paul [Murdaugh] were her world. She loved our parents, you know, we joked how we would grow old together and take care of them. She was just a really, really good person.”

Therefore, the night Marian, Terry, and Kennedy received the call of 52-year-old Maggie alongside 22-year-old Paul’s shooting deaths inside their own estate, it utterly shattered their hearts. The fact the former’s husband, Alex Murdaugh, never spoke of possible suspects yet claimed “he felt like whoever did it had thought about it for a long time” also made things worse for them. After all, this odd statement, combined with his getting fired by his family’s law firm amid accusations of embezzlement mere three months later, led them to begin questioning his entire theory of there being a target on Paul’s back.

Maggie Murdaugh's Parents and Sister Are Seeking Solitude Today (2)

Paul had reportedly caused a boat crash resulting in the death of Mallory Beach owing to his careless intoxication in February 2019, but it being the reason for two ruthless killings didn’t make sense. Alex’s behavior in the aftermath of losing a majority of his family also led Marian to suspect him, especially because his primary goal seemed to be self-preservation as well as restoring the Murdaughs’ community status. “He said that his No. 1 goal was clearing Paul’s name” in the boat case, she said. “And I thought that was so strange because my No. 1 goal was to find out who killed my sister and Paul.”

What Happened to Maggie Murdaugh’s Family?

From what we can tell, Maggie’s parents Terry and Kennedy, have preferred to keep their distance from the limelight ever since the tragic 2021 incident because they wish to heal as privately as possible. Even her sister Marian initially followed in their footsteps to stay well away from the public eye, but she did finally break her silence to testify against Alex during his ongoing two-count murder trial. She honestly revealed everything she could remember without a beat of hesitation, giving the media, the audience, and of course, the jury a lot to consider before a final verdict comes in.

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As for Marian Proctor’s personal standing, she currently resides around Charleston, South Carolina, alongside her loving, long-time husband and the father of her three children, Barton “Bart” Proctor. He’s actually the CEO as well as Managing Partner of a leading fire protection services and equipment company called Pye-Barker Fire & Safety, making it clear they’re pretty well off. We should even mention that it seems like their three kids are now all adult, married women; Marian Elizabeth “Libby” Proctor Miller, Hannah Hubbard Proctor Bennett, and Katherine Kennedy Proctor Ross.

Read More: Where is Buster Murdaugh Now?

Maggie Murdaugh's Parents and Sister Are Seeking Solitude Today (2024)

FAQs

Who are the parents of Maggie Murdaugh's? ›

It may surprise some people to know the victim at the center of the investigation, Margaret “Maggie” Kennedy (Branstetter) Murdaugh, is the daughter of 1962 Caverna Graduate Terry Branstetter and 1962 Munfordville High School graduate Kennedy (Ken) Branstetter.

Why did Alex take Maggie's phone? ›

Prosecutors claim that Mr Murdaugh took her phone after killing her and Paul and then tossed it out the window of his moving car while driving to his mother's home to build an alibi for himself.

What was found on Paul Murdaugh's phone? ›

In November 2022, there was a breakthrough in the investigation. Agents showed Gibson a video of his dog Cash that they had found on Paul's phone. Paul had shot it at 8:44 p.m., minutes before he was killed.

Who is Maggie Murdaugh's sister in law? ›

Weeks into the trial of the once powerful and prominent South Carolina attorney, the prosecution called Murdaugh's sister-in-law, Marian Proctor, to the stand Tuesday, where she testified that she asked Murdaugh if her sister "had suffered" when she was shot to death.

Where did Maggie Murdaugh grow up? ›

Maggie grew up in Wilmington, North Carolina, before moving to South Carolina for university, where she met her husband, Alex. Friends and family testified at trial that before her death in 2021, aged 52, Maggie Murdaugh was sweet and relaxed.

Who is Alex Murdaugh's mother and father? ›

Elizabeth "Libby" Alexander Murdaugh, the wife of former, late 14th Circuit Solicitor Randolph Murdaugh III and the mother of now notorious former attorney Richard "Alex" Murdaugh, has died at the age of 85 in her Hampton County home.

Was Maggie or Paul shot first? ›

Maggie and Paul Murdaugh, gunned down "in their prime"

Paul was killed first at deadly close range, then Maggie was shot at gunpowder-burn range while she was "running to her baby," said lead prosecutor Creighton Waters of the S.C. Attorney General's Office.

Who found Maggie Murdaugh's phone? ›

Hightower was in charge of locating Maggie Murdaugh's phone, which was found using the "Find My iPhone" app on her son Buster Murdaugh's phone. Her cell was found on the side of Moselle Road.

How many steps did Alex Murdaugh take on the phone? ›

According to a cell phone evidence expert from the Law & Crime Trial Network, Alex Murdaugh's phone recorded 283 steps taken in four minutes. This was when he claimed he was waking from a nap and heading to his car to drive to his mother's house. Those steps create suspicion.

Were Alex Murdaugh's clothes found? ›

Also missing: Murdaugh's clothes

Jurors watched a short Snapchat video from Paul, showing his father wearing a blue shirt and long khaki pants about an hour before the murders. Those clothes have never been found.

Did Alex Murdaugh's brother sue him? ›

HAMPTON COUNTY, S.C. (WSAV) — Alex Murdaugh is being sued again — this time by his own brother. The suit — filed in Hampton County — alleges Randolph “Randy” Murdaugh IV, loaned his brother $75,000 just before he allegedly attempted to have someone kill him for the insurance money.

Where is Paul Murdaugh buried? ›

Nearly three years after their shockingly brutal murders, Margaret and Paul Murdaugh have now received headstones marking their final resting places in Hampton, South Carolina, a once-little-known town thrust onto the nation's true crime map following their deaths.

Does Alex Murdaugh's brother support him? ›

I love my law firm, family, and also love Alex as my brother. While I will support him in his recovery, I do not support, condone or excuse his conduct in stealing by manipulating his most trusted relationships."

Who has Maggie Murdaugh's dogs? ›

In fact, Bubba was a key part of Meadors' closing arguments in Murdaugh's double murder trial. Bubba was Maggie Murdaugh's dog and was at the dog kennels the night of the murders.

What happened to John Marvin Murdaugh? ›

He is awaiting trial in Colleton County in January 2023. According to motions filed by Alex Murdaugh's defense team, on the night of the murders of Maggie and Paul Murdaugh, John Marvin was one of the people with whom Alex spoke to via phone on his way to his parent's home in Almeda, South Carolina.

What is Alex Murdaugh's lineage? ›

Randolph Murdaugh III

Randolph III was married to Elizabeth Alexander and had four children including three sons, Randolph IV (called Randy) and Richard Alexander (called Alex, b. May 27, 1968), both of whom entered PMPED; and John Marvin.

How did Alex Murdaugh meet Maggie? ›

Who Was Maggie Murdaugh? Maggie Murdaugh, born Margaret Kennedy Branstetter, graduated from the University of South Carolina, where she met Alex Murdaugh, in 1991. She was a member of Kappa Delta Sorority. The pair married on August 14, 1993, and later had two sons, Paul and Buster.

What is Alex Murdaugh's inheritance? ›

HAMPTON, SC (WCIV) — The last of Alex Murdaugh's known assets, totaling roughly $1.76 million in liquid cash, will be divvied up among 16 parties that include plaintiffs in lawsuits against the disgraced former lawyer, creditors, former colleagues, and victims of his various thefts and legal malpractices.

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