The Five Shocking Updates: Where Is Buster Murdaugh Now In Late 2025?

Contents

The Murdaugh family saga remains one of the most compelling and tragic true crime narratives in American history, and as of late 2025, the spotlight has shifted once again to the only surviving son, Richard Alexander "Buster" Murdaugh Jr. Now 29 years old, Buster is attempting to forge a new life far from the shadow of the Moselle Road murders and his father's conviction, but the echoes of the Lowcountry dynasty's fall continue to follow him. This article provides the most current and verified information available, detailing his private life, his ongoing legal battles, and the persistent questions surrounding the death of Stephen Smith.

The latest updates, current to December 2025, paint a picture of a man seeking normalcy while simultaneously fighting to clear his name in the court of public opinion. From a quiet life on Hilton Head Island to a high-stakes libel lawsuit against major media outlets, Buster Murdaugh's journey is far from over, cementing his place as a central, yet largely silent, figure in the ongoing true crime narrative.

Richard Alexander "Buster" Murdaugh Jr. – A Complete Biography and Profile

Richard Alexander "Buster" Murdaugh Jr. is the last surviving male heir of the once-powerful Murdaugh family legal dynasty in the Lowcountry of South Carolina. His life was abruptly and tragically altered by the events that led to his father, Alex Murdaugh, being convicted of the murders of his mother, Maggie Murdaugh, and younger brother, Paul Murdaugh.

  • Full Name: Richard Alexander "Buster" Murdaugh Jr.
  • Date of Birth: April 11, 1996
  • Age (as of late 2025): 29 years old
  • Birthplace: Hampton County, South Carolina, USA
  • Family Background: Eldest and only surviving son of Alex and Maggie Murdaugh. Grandson of Randolph Murdaugh III and great-grandson of Randolph Murdaugh Jr., who were part of the long line of 14th Judicial Circuit Solicitors.
  • Education: Attended the University of South Carolina Law School, though he was reportedly expelled due to an academic misconduct issue, which the family allegedly attempted to resolve.
  • Marital Status: Reportedly married to his long-time girlfriend, Brooklynn White, a lawyer who stood by him throughout his father's trial.
  • Key Events: Survived the 2021 murders of his mother and brother; was a key witness in his father’s murder trial; remains a figure of intense speculation in the unsolved Stephen Smith homicide case.
  • Current Legal Status: Plaintiff in an active libel/defamation lawsuit against media companies.

Where Buster Murdaugh Lives and What He Does Now

The question of "where is Buster Murdaugh now" has a surprisingly concrete answer in late 2025, though details of his daily life remain private. After the collapse of the family empire and the seizure of assets, Buster has sought a quiet existence away from the intense media scrutiny that followed the Murdaugh Murders trial.

A Life on Hilton Head Island

Buster Murdaugh currently resides with his wife, Brooklynn White, on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. This location, a scenic and affluent coastal town, offers a significant degree of separation from the family’s ancestral home in Hampton County and the infamous Moselle property where the murders occurred. The couple reportedly shares a quaint marital home, attempting to build a life free from the constant reminders of the Murdaugh family saga.

Uncertainty Over Employment and Finances

While his father, Alex Murdaugh, was a wealthy and powerful tort lawyer who secretly engaged in financial crimes and embezzlement, Buster’s current professional life is largely unknown. His attempt to follow the family tradition into law was derailed by the aforementioned academic issues and, subsequently, the public scandal. Sources indicate it is uncertain what he currently does for a living, suggesting he is likely maintaining a low profile while relying on the support of his wife and what remains of his family’s legitimate assets, which are tied up in various legal proceedings related to his father's financial misdeeds.

Buster Murdaugh's Ongoing Legal Battles in 2025

Despite his efforts to live privately, Buster remains entangled in significant legal matters, primarily a major defamation lawsuit that has seen crucial developments in 2025. This case is his most public activity and a direct attempt to combat the narrative surrounding the Murdaugh mysteries.

The High-Stakes Libel Lawsuit

Buster Murdaugh is the plaintiff in a libel lawsuit filed against several media companies and individuals. The lawsuit alleges that these outlets falsely implicated him in the 2015 death of Stephen Smith, a former classmate. The suit claims the media portrayals were not only false but reckless, amounting to defamation by implication, particularly in the wake of the popular Netflix docu-series and other true crime coverage.

In a significant legal victory for Buster, his legal team successfully argued to have the lawsuit moved to Hampton County in early 2025. This move is seen by some as a strategic advantage, as the Murdaugh family name still holds residual influence in their home county, potentially giving him a more favorable jury pool compared to a larger, more neutral jurisdiction. An amended complaint was submitted in April 2025, indicating the case is actively progressing toward a potential trial.

The Lingering Shadow of Stephen Smith's Death

The most persistent and troubling question that follows Buster Murdaugh is the unsolved death of 19-year-old Stephen Smith in 2015. Smith, who was openly gay and attended the same high school as Buster, was found dead on a rural road with an apparent head injury.

The initial investigation by the Highway Patrol ruled the death a hit-and-run, but subsequent investigations, particularly by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), have reopened the case as a homicide.

Buster Murdaugh's name was mentioned dozens of times in the original 2015 case notes, fueling years of speculation about his alleged involvement. As of late 2025, the Stephen Smith case remains unsolved, with no charges or indictments issued against anyone, including Buster. The reward money for information leading to a conviction was raised to $50,000 at the start of 2025, signifying the continued high-priority status of the investigation. Buster has vehemently denied any involvement, and his libel suit is a direct challenge to the media narratives that suggest otherwise.

The Future: A Battle for Redemption and Privacy

Buster Murdaugh's current life is defined by a dichotomy: a quest for private normalcy in Hilton Head and a very public legal fight for his reputation. He is the last man standing in a family that once dominated the 14th Judicial Circuit, now grappling with a legacy of murder, financial fraud, and deep-seated corruption.

His future hinges on the outcome of his libel case and whether the SLED investigation into the Stephen Smith homicide ever yields an indictment. For now, Buster Murdaugh is attempting to move on, but he remains a figure of intense public fascination, a central character in a true crime saga that continues to unfold in the South Carolina Lowcountry.

where is buster murdaugh now
where is buster murdaugh now

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