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The latest TV series, Murdaugh: Death in the Family, introduces viewers to the Murdaugh family and explores their legacy and a shocking scandal. They belonged to South Carolina and had notable power and respect until two of the members were mysteriously killed.
Following the release of Murdaugh: Death in the Family on October 15, 2025, many viewers are curious about the family tree. Central to the story is Alex Murdaugh a lawyer who belonged to a long line of influential attorneys.
Murdaugh's world collapsed when he learned about the murders of his wife and son. And later, it was Alex Murdaugh himself who was convicted of this crime. Yes, you read that right.
The series begins with explaining how respected the family was in their community in South Carolina. Thanks to their law firm, it brought them power and a luxurious life for each member. However, things were quite different inside the closed doors.
The family had dark secrets, was involved in mysterious deaths, and even abused its power. The seemingly perfect family fell apart after a tragic boating accident involving their younger son, Paul.
Find out the entire family tree of the Murdaughs below.
The patriarch who built the Murdaugh family in Hulu's Murdaugh: Death in the Family
The patriarch of the family is Randolph Murdaugh Sr. who was born during the 1880s and began the legal firm. This means that Randolph Murdaugh Sr. laid the foundation of the firm, which his family carried forward for years.
Murdaugh Sr. also opened his own firm, and by 1920, he became the Solicitor of the 14th Judicial Circuit. The patriarch of the Murdaugh family then lost his life in 1940 when he was killed in a train collision.
However, Randolph Murdaugh Sr. did leave his wife and sons behind. After marrying Etta Causey Harvey in 1914, he had two sons: Randolph "Buster" Murdaugh Jr. and John Glen "Johnny" Murdaugh. Following his father's demise, Buster junior took charge of the legal firm.
Interestingly, Buster Jr. was made the next solicitor in 1940 and he served for more than four decades (almost 46 years) and retired in 1987. Buster Jr. then died in 1998, leaving behind a legacy just like his father.
The next generation carried forward the tradition and Randolph Murdaugh III (born in the 1930s) joined the firm and became the solicitor in 1986, following his father and grandfather's footsteps. Randolph Murdaugh III worked in the office until 2005 and was widely respected across the Lowcountry.
He then tied the knot with Elizabeth "Libby" Alexander, and together they had four children: Lynn, Randy, Alex, and John Marvin. Randolph III’s death in June 2021, just days after the murders of his daughter-in-law Maggie and grandson Paul, marked the symbolic end of the Murdaugh family’s century-long reign in law and order.
Also Read: 48 Hours: Grapes of Wrath - How a $800,000 business deal in Napa Valley ended up in murder
The Alex Murdaugh family and the dynasty's collapse explored
The downfall of the Murdaugh family focuses on Alex Murdaugh (Richard Alexander Murdaugh). Just like the other family members, Alex also pursued a law degree from the University of South Carolina and finally stepped into the law firm started by his great-grandfather.
After making his career, Richard Alexandar Murdaugh tied the knot with Margaret "Maggie" Kennedy Branstetter in 1993. Together, this couple welcomed two sons: Buster and Paul Murdaugh. At this point, the Murdaugh family looked perfect.
They were leading the family law firm, living a luxurious life, and were among South Carolina’s elite. However, things were entirely different in reality. Alex's world was gradually falling apart as his younger son, Paul, gained public attention after a tragic boat accident in which one of his friends lost his life.
The case was highly discussed and the Murdaugh family gained unwanted attention. Two years later, tragedy struck again. Alex's wife, Maggie who was 52 at that time and his son Paul, who was just 22, were shot dead.
These startling deaths in the Murdaugh family led investigators to step in and find out the truth. As the search for truth began, lies, betrayals, and dark secrets started to emerge. To make it worse, all of this pointed back to Alex.
It was in 2023 when Alex Murdaugh was convicted of killing his wife and son. This incident marked the official conclusion of the Murdaugh family and its century-long dominance in South Carolina.
Alex's surviving son, Buster Murdaugh, tried to save his father during the legal trials. He then got married to Brooklynn White in May 2025 and prefers living a quiet life, away from the spotlight that the Murdaugh family used to enjoy.
The extended Murdaugh family members and their continuing legacy
While Alex Murdaugh's actions drew attention to the Murdaugh family for years, other members still remained out of the spotlight. His sister, Lynn Murdaugh Goettee also tried to help him but the claims couldn't be proved
His brother, Randolph "Randy" Murdaugh IV, continued the family’s legal tradition and still works at the firm, which was renamed Parker Law Group after the scandal. The youngest brother, John Marvin Murdaugh, chose a different path and runs two equipment rental companies. Like Buster, he also testified for Alex’s defense.
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