Buster Murdaugh Now: 5 Shocking Updates On His Life, New Marriage, And Libel Lawsuit In 2025

Contents

Richard Alexander "Buster" Murdaugh Jr., the last surviving son of convicted murderer Alex Murdaugh, has been attempting to forge a new life away from the shadow of his family's dramatic downfall. As of this current date, December 23, 2025, the 29-year-old is now a married man, living a quiet life in the South Carolina Lowcountry, yet he remains inextricably linked to the Murdaugh saga through a high-stakes legal battle and a lingering homicide investigation.

Following the 2023 conviction of his father for the double homicide of his mother, Maggie Murdaugh, and brother, Paul Murdaugh, Buster has sought privacy. However, a major defamation lawsuit he filed against prominent media companies and ongoing developments in the mysterious 2015 death of Stephen Smith have once again pulled him into the national spotlight, proving that moving on from the Murdaugh name is a complicated and public affair.

Richard Alexander "Buster" Murdaugh Jr. Biography and Profile

Buster Murdaugh’s life has been defined by the wealth, influence, and ultimately, the criminal notoriety of the Murdaugh legal dynasty in Hampton County, South Carolina. His profile offers a stark look at a privileged life suddenly shattered by tragedy and scandal.

  • Full Name: Richard Alexander "Buster" Murdaugh Jr.
  • Nickname: Buster
  • Date of Birth: April 11, 1996
  • Age (as of 2025): 29
  • Birthplace: Hampton County, South Carolina, USA
  • Parents: Alex Murdaugh (Father, convicted murderer) and Maggie Murdaugh (Mother, deceased)
  • Sibling: Paul Murdaugh (Brother, deceased)
  • Spouse: Brooklynn White (Married May 2025)
  • Education:
    • Wofford College (Undergraduate Studies)
    • University of South Carolina School of Law (Expelled in 2019)
  • Current Residence: Bluffton/Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
  • Occupational Status: Uncertain; previously studied law.
  • Key Legal Entanglements: Witness in Alex Murdaugh's double-homicide trial; named in connection to the Stephen Smith death investigation; Plaintiff in a major defamation lawsuit.

Buster Murdaugh's New Life in the South Carolina Lowcountry

The Murdaugh family's former estates, including the sprawling Moselle property and their Edisto Island beach house, are now relics of a bygone era. For Buster Murdaugh, physical distance from these locations has been a necessary step toward rebuilding his life.

A Quiet Marriage and a New Home in Bluffton

One of the most significant personal developments for Buster is his marriage to his long-time girlfriend, Brooklynn White. Brooklynn, a licensed attorney who stood by Buster throughout his father’s high-profile murder trial, married him in a quiet ceremony in May 2025.

The couple now resides in the affluent area of Bluffton or Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, a move that places them geographically and socially away from the direct scrutiny of the Murdaugh family’s traditional power base in Hampton County. Public records indicate the purchase of a new, more modest home—a stark contrast to the enormous estates the Murdaughs once owned.

While Brooklynn White continues her career as a lawyer, Buster’s professional life remains shrouded in uncertainty. He never returned to the University of South Carolina School of Law after his 2019 expulsion, which was reportedly due to plagiarism, and his current occupation is not publicly known.

The High-Stakes Defamation Lawsuit Against Media Giants

Despite his efforts to maintain a low profile, Buster Murdaugh has launched a major legal offensive, filing a massive defamation lawsuit against several prominent media and entertainment companies. This action is a direct challenge to his public portrayal following the Murdaugh Murders saga.

Suing Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery

The lawsuit specifically names entities like Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery, among others, for their documentary series that covered the Murdaugh family. Buster claims these productions falsely implicated him in the 2015 death of Stephen Smith.

The core of his legal argument is that the documentaries and subsequent media coverage portrayed him as being involved in Smith's death, causing irreparable harm to his reputation. The media companies have formally denied the claims, setting the stage for a dramatic courtroom battle.

In a recent and significant development, a judge granted Buster Murdaugh's request to move the case back to Hampton County state court, where it was originally filed. This is considered a procedural "win" for the surviving Murdaugh son, as it brings the case to a jury in a region where the Murdaugh family name still carries historical weight, despite the recent scandals.

The Lingering Shadow of the Stephen Smith Homicide Case

The most persistent and troubling link to the Murdaugh family's web of alleged crimes is the death of 19-year-old nursing student Stephen Smith. Smith’s body was found in the middle of a road in Hampton County in 2015.

SLED's Ongoing Homicide Investigation

Initially ruled a hit-and-run, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) reopened the investigation as a homicide, a major 2025 update that has reignited public interest.

Buster Murdaugh's name was mentioned over 40 times during the initial investigation, with rumors and speculation circulating for years about his potential involvement. While he has never been charged or named as a suspect, the investigation continues to loom large over his life, especially given the context of his father's conviction for double murder.

The Stephen Smith family’s legal team has weighed in on Buster’s defamation lawsuit, suggesting a complex interplay between the two cases. The public and legal community are closely watching SLED's progress, as any official findings could either clear Buster's name or add another tragic chapter to the Murdaugh family's legacy of scandal.

Topical Authority and Key Entities in the Murdaugh Saga

To fully understand Buster Murdaugh's current situation, it is crucial to recognize the interconnected entities and events that define the Murdaugh Murders narrative. These entities form the topical authority surrounding the case:

  • Alex Murdaugh: Buster's father, a former prominent attorney convicted of the 2021 murders of his wife and son.
  • Maggie Murdaugh & Paul Murdaugh: Buster's mother and brother, who were killed at the family's Moselle property.
  • Stephen Smith: The 19-year-old whose mysterious 2015 death is now being investigated as a homicide, with persistent rumors linking Buster to the case.
  • Brooklynn White: Buster’s wife, an attorney who has provided consistent support.
  • Gloria Satterfield: The Murdaugh family housekeeper who died in a 2018 fall, leading to a massive financial fraud scheme by Alex Murdaugh.
  • Mallory Beach: The young woman killed in a 2019 boat crash, for which Paul Murdaugh was facing charges.
  • SLED (South Carolina Law Enforcement Division): The agency responsible for the ongoing investigations into the Stephen Smith death.
  • Hampton County: The historical center of the Murdaugh family's legal and political power in South Carolina.
  • Netflix & Warner Bros. Discovery: The media companies being sued by Buster for defamation over their documentary coverage.
  • University of South Carolina School of Law: The institution from which Buster was expelled in 2019.

Buster Murdaugh’s life in 2025 is a carefully constructed attempt at normalcy, yet it is constantly challenged by the legal and investigative fallout of his family’s past. His marriage, his new home in Bluffton, and his aggressive legal action demonstrate a clear intent to control his narrative and secure his future, even as the shadow of the Stephen Smith homicide investigation remains a present threat to his peace and reputation.

buster murdaugh now
buster murdaugh now

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