VOICES: Defendant’s right to due process doesn’t mean system is broken. PAGE A14
JUNE 10–16, 2021
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Paul Murdaugh, mother killed in double shooting
MARINE RECRUIT DIES AT PARRIS ISLAND From staff reports A Marine recruit has died in training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island. The Recruit Depot announced the news on it’s Facebook page Monday afternoon. “On Friday, June 4th, Private First Class Dalton Beals passed away during the conduct of The Crucible with the new Marines of Echo Company,” the post read. “Our deepest condolences go out to Dalton’s family and to the Marines and staff of Echo Company. The cause of death is currently under investigation.”
LOWCOUNTRY LOWDOWN
COVERING BEAUFORT COUNTY
Hampton man was awaiting trial for 2019 death of Mallory Beach From staff reports The man charged in the 2019 boat crash that killed 19-year-old Mallory Beach and his mother were found shot to death Monday night at their family’s Colleton County home, according to media reports. Paul Murdaugh, 22, and Maggie Murdaugh, 52, were reportedly shot multiple times. A release from the Colleton County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday confirmed the shooting.
“SLED is investigating the shooting death of two Colleton County residents,” The release said. “Colleton depPaul uties responded to Murdaugh 4147 Moselle Road after receiving a 911 calling stating two people were dead. The call came in around 10 p.m. Monday, June 7. Arriving deputies observed two people sustaining at least one
for the many calls and condolences in the aftermath of the deaths of Maggie and Paul Murdaugh,” the since-removed post said. “We ask for your continued patience and prayers through this tragic time.” The Murdaugh family, one of the most influential families in the Lowcountry, has been affiliated with the PMPED law firm for more than 100 years, and a Murdaugh was solici-
gunshot wound. “SLED is the leading agency on this case and is working closely with the Colleton Sheriff’s Office on this investigation.” The Hampton County law firm Peters, Murdaugh, Parker, Eltzroth and Detrick (PMPED) confirmed the identities of the mother and son in a message on their Facebook page. “The Murdaugh Family and PMPED wish to thank everyone
SEE SHOOTING PAGE A5
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE
LOLITA HUCKABY
County Council prepares for redistricting
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BEAUFORT .S. Census figures aren’t scheduled for official release until Sept. 30, but Beaufort County Council’s already talking about redrawing lines. The Council’s executive committee this week agreed to recommend to the full Council an agreement with the S.C. Dept. of Revenue to help redraw the county’s 11 council districts before the next election in November 2022. Department representatives told the committee their goal is to prepare the county’s new districts by the end of 2021. Based on preliminary reports, Beaufort County’s population grew 19.6 percent in the last decade, adding 30,545 to a total of 186,095. The majority of growth occurred in the southern part of the county and speculation is the County Council’s makeup of 5 seats north of the Broad River-6 seats from SOB, will change. Neighboring Jasper County grew 21.3 percent, adding 5,023 for a total of 28,657. The 11 county council districts are also used for the school board seats. The municipal councils of Beaufort and Port Royal are made up of at-large districts so redistricting does not impact their composition. The General Assembly will be redrawing the state 46 Senate and 124 state House of Representatives districts. SLED report cites ‘disturbing increase’ in violent crime BEAUFORT – Earlier this month, the S.C. Law Enforcement Division (SLED) released some preliminary statistics showing “a disturbing increase in violent crime” in the Palmetto State. A look at 2020 reports from the City of Beaufort Police shows similar increases – Beaufort, 68 cases, up from 58 in 2019. Maybe the same is true for the Sheriff’s Department and Port Royal PD but since they don’t post their annual reports online for the public to see, ...
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Beaufort County Comprehenive Plan chairman Ed Pappas, left, and commission members Caroline Ferman and Kevin Hennelly listen to public comments on the Beaufort County Comprehensive Plan update at the beginning of a public hearing Monday evening in Bluffton. An open-house-style community meeting is planned for 6 p.m. Thursday at the public library on Johnathan Francis, Sr. Road on St. Helena Island. Photo by Bob Sofaly.
Community input Groups point out ‘holes’ in county’s update of planning document
By Mike McCombs BLUFFTON – The Beaufort County Planning Department hosted a public hearing Monday at the Buckwalter Recreation Center in Bluffton to provide the public an opportunity to review and comment on the county’s
comprehensive plan update – Envision Beaufort County. The comprehensive plan is a state-required document that helps guide and shape the county’s development policies over the next couple of decades. The document can be a powerful
weapon and ally for land owners, politicians, developers and private citizens, alike. Among the public comments, the battle between development and land preservation was a hot topic, as was the fairness of the county’s draft plan to it’s Black
residents, specifically on St. Helena Island. Cutting people out Dawn Alston Paige of the Lowcountry Equitable Land and
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Bruner back to defend Beaufort River Swim crown
Skylar Bruner, 15 was the first female and overall winner of the 3.2 mile swimming portion of the 14th Annual Beaufort River Swim in 2020. Her time was 50:39.8. Photo by Bob Sofaly.
By Mike McCombs Given her parents, it’s not shocking that Skylar Bruner took to the water. Swimming is in her blood. Both parents – Carlton and Heather Bruner – swam competitively. Carlton Bruner, swam for the United States in the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta. But Skylar Bruner has clearly taken to swimming in the open water. Two years ago at 14 years old, she won the women’s title at the 3.2mile Beaufort River Swim, finishing 8 seconds behind her then 16-year-
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City of Beaufort and Beaufort County help residents prepare for hurricane season.
Cruise on out to see Florida Georgia Line on the big screen Saturday, June 12.
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old brother for the overall championship. Last year in a COVID-19-delayed race, she took the overall crown by 1:20 over the runner-up. “It might be safe to say she has the Olympic genes,” Beaufort-Jasper YMCA Healthy Living Program Director and Beaufort River Swim organizer Denice Fanning said after last year’s race. This year, the 16-year-old Hilton Head Island High School swimmer
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