Key Witness from Alex Murdaugh Murder Trial Now Investigating Unusual Death of Buster Murdaugh's Former Classmate

Kenny Kinsey, a leading forensic expert who testified for the prosecution in the Murdaugh trial, has turned his attention to the 2015 death of Stephen Smith.

Mar. 21, 2026 at 4:06pm

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Kenny Kinsey, a forensic expert who provided testimony for the prosecution during the high-profile Murdaugh murder trial in 2023, has now launched an independent investigation into the 2015 death of Stephen Smith. Kinsey has expressed concerns that significant investigative opportunities were overlooked in the early stages of the Smith case, in which the victim's body was discovered with a 7½-inch fracture to his skull that was initially reported as a hit-and-run incident but later determined not to align with the available evidence.

Why it matters

The Murdaugh family has been at the center of several high-profile criminal cases in recent years, and Kinsey's involvement in the new investigation into Stephen Smith's death raises questions about potential connections between the two cases. Smith was a former classmate of Buster Murdaugh, Alex Murdaugh's son, adding to the intrigue surrounding the case.

The details

Stephen Smith's remains have been exhumed, re-examined through a fresh autopsy, and subsequently laid to rest once again. Kinsey, who is the Orangeburg County Chief Deputy, a crime scene reconstruction expert, and a former SLED Special Agent, has expressed concerns that significant investigative opportunities were overlooked in the early stages of the Smith case.

  • Stephen Smith's body was discovered in 2015.
  • The Murdaugh murder trial took place in 2023.
  • Kinsey has now launched an independent investigation into Smith's death.

The players

Kenny Kinsey

A leading forensic expert who provided testimony for the prosecution during the high-profile Murdaugh murder trial in 2023. He is now the Orangeburg County Chief Deputy, a crime scene reconstruction expert, and a former SLED Special Agent.

Stephen Smith

A former classmate of Buster Murdaugh, Alex Murdaugh's son, whose death in 2015 was initially treated as a hit-and-run incident but later determined not to align with the available evidence.

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What they’re saying

“Crime Stories with Nancy Grace' on Fox Nation is also a national radio show on SiriusXM channel 111, airing for two hours daily starting at 12 p.m. EST. You can also subscribe and download the daily podcasts at iHeart Podcasts.”

— Nancy Grace, Host, 'Crime Stories with Nancy Grace'

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow the exhumation and re-examination of Stephen Smith's remains.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing scrutiny surrounding the Murdaugh family and the potential for new developments in long-standing investigations. The involvement of a key witness from the Murdaugh murder trial adds an intriguing layer to the investigation into Stephen Smith's death, raising questions about possible connections between the two cases.