Buster Murdaugh, son of convicted killer Alex Murdaugh, has filed a defamation lawsuit against several companies, including Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery, regarding their involvement in documentary series about his family.
The complaint, submitted last Friday, claims that the documentaries available on Warner Bros. Discovery’s Max streaming service and Netflix contain statements that “were defamatory and falsely accused the Plaintiff of being involved in the murder of Stephen Smith.”
According to the South Carolina lawsuit, “[A]s a result of the specific false and defamatory statements made by Defendants and republished by Defendants, the Plaintiff’s reputation has been irreparably damaged, and he has suffered mental anguish.”
Buster Murdaugh has consistently denied any involvement in the 2015 death of Stephen Smith, a high school classmate, and previously addressed the “vicious rumors” alleging his participation during an interview with NBC News.
“I have tried my best to ignore the vicious rumors about my involvement in Stephen Smith’s tragic death that continue to be published in the media as I grieve over the brutal murders of my mother and brother,” he stated.
His father, Alex Murdaugh, is currently serving a life sentence for the murders of his wife, Maggie Murdaugh, and son, Paul Murdaugh, which occurred in 2021. Expressing his frustration, Buster Murdaugh added, “This has gone on far too long. These baseless rumors of my involvement with Stephen and his death are false.”
He emphasized, “I unequivocally deny any involvement in his death, and my heart goes out to the Smith family.” The Hill has reached out to attorneys representing Murdaugh, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Netflix for comment.
