Alex Murdaugh settles lawsuit over 2019 boating accident that killed Mallory Beach

HAMPTON COUNTY, S.C. (WCIV) – Convicted murderer Alex Murdaugh has settled a lawsuit related to a 2019 boating accident involving his son that led to the death of University of South Carolina, Mallory Beach student and eventual downfall of the now-disbarred lawyer.

Court documents show that Judge Daniel D. Hall signed an order ending the civil case on Oct. 10. Murdaugh’s insurer, Progressive, agreed to pay out $500,000 to Beach’s family.

Murdaugh’s son, Paul Murdaugh, allegedly crashed the boat into a bridge in Beaufort County after a night of drinking in February 2019. The crash killed Beach and injured several others. Beach was thrown from the ship and her body was found in the river eight days later. She had died as a result of drowning and blunt force trauma.

READ MORE | “Parker’s Settles Mallory Beach Boat Death Case for $18.5 Million.”

Beach’s family, along with other victims of the accident, filed a lawsuit against Paul, Buster Murdaugh, Alex, Maggie and Parker’s Kitchen. A settlement was reached in July 2023, but the claims against Alex Murdaugh were unknown at the time.

What held up the settlement was that Alex Murdaugh’s insurance company would not pay the $500,000 requested until he was released as a defendant in the lawsuit, according to court documents.

Murdaugh’s assets have since been liquidated and Progressive agreed to pay the settlement amount, according to court documents.

READ MORE | “Judge Approves Parker’s $15 Million Settlement in Mallory Beach Boating Death.”

Murdaugh is serving a life sentence without parole for the June 2021 murders of his wife Maggie and Paul. Prosecutors argued that he feared that a wrongful death lawsuit stemming from a boating accident would unearth the millions of dollars he owed Clients and his law firm had stolen.

Murdaugh was also convicted in state and federal court of stealing from clients and his law firm.

READ MORE | “The settlement in the Mallory Beach case prompts a review of South Carolina law.”