The quiet community of Islandton, South Carolina, is in a state of shock following the murder of high-profile lawyer, Alex Murdaugh. Murdaugh, a member of a prominent legal family in the state, was shot and killed at his family’s hunting lodge on September 4th, 2021 (NBC News).

The news of Murdaugh’s murder has sent shockwaves throughout the community, where the family was already famous in the state. Murdaugh’s grandfather was a former state lawmaker, and his father, Randolph Murdaugh III, was a well-known prosecutor. Alex Murdaugh himself was a prominent lawyer in the state, and his family’s law firm is one of the oldest in South Carolina (NY Times).

The Colleton County Sheriff’s Office has launched an investigation to know the unclear details surrounding the murder. The sheriff’s office has released few information about the case yet, stating only that Murdaugh was found with multiple gunshot wounds and that there were no signs of forced entry at the hunting lodge (CBS News).

The murder of a high-profile member of the community has made many residents feeling uneasy. Islandton is not accustomed to a violent crime, where the place is a small town with a population of just over 1,000. Murdaugh’s murder has shattered the sense of security that many residents felt in the town. Not only known by the residents, but the Murdaugh family is a prominent one in South Carolina, and the news of Alex Murdaugh’s murder has drawn attention from across the state. Many tried to express their condolences to the family and called for justice in the case. According to “The State”, one resident that lives in South Carolina, DeWitt, who is working on a book about the Murdaugh dynasty, stated, “I can’t wrap my head around it, I’m in total disbelief that you can take a gun and kill someone you profess to love.” showing great shock about the situation (The State). 

As the investigation into Alex Murdaugh’s murder continues, the community of Islandton is left to mourn the loss of a prominent member. The shock of this violent crime has left many residents shocked and made the residents wonder what the future holds for their small town.