why did murdaugh kill his wife and son

Alex Murdaugh killed his wife, Margaret "Maggie" Murdaugh, and their youngest son, Paul, in June 2021. Prosecutors allege that the murders were committed to cover up Murdaugh's long-running financial crimes, including embezzlement of millions of dollars from his clients and his law firm. At the time of the killings, Murdaugh was also under increasing pressure from legal and financial troubles, including a civil lawsuit against him related to a boat crash involving his son and court confrontations about his missing legal fees. On the day of the murders, Murdaugh had been confronted about nearly $800,000 in missing client funds, and he was due in court for the boat crash civil case. Prosecutors say he killed his wife and son at the family hunting lodge to prevent these ongoing scandals and financial crimes from becoming public. Murdaugh initially lied about his whereabouts and claimed he discovered the bodies, but evidence including cellphone data and a video recorded by Paul shortly before the murders placed Murdaugh at the scene. The video contained audio of Murdaugh's voice, disproving his alibi. He later confessed to lying about being at the scene but maintained innocence in the killings. He was found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment without parole. The case revealed a complex background of opioid addiction, financial fraud, an assisted-suicide plot, and a family legacy of legal prominence unraveling in scandal. In summary, prosecutors believe Alex Murdaugh killed his wife and son primarily to conceal his financial crimes and escape mounting legal difficulties that threatened his reputation and freedom.