Alex Murdaugh responds to People Magazine article alleging his wife sought divorce before her death
Former South Carolina attorney Alex Murdaugh has issued a statement through a spokesperson in response to a recent People Magazine article about his marriage to his late wife, Margaret.
On the night of June 7, Murdaugh reported discovering the bodies of his wife, Margaret, 52, and his youngest son, Paul, 22, shot and killed at their home in Colleton County, S.C. This as-yet unsolved, high-profile double homicide has since sparked a series of events propelling the Murdaugh family into an international spotlight.
More:Friends remember homicide victim Maggie Murdaugh on her birthday
Murdaugh is currently in an undisclosed drug rehabilitation facility on a personal recognizance bond for charges that include attempted insurance fraud, and is facing possible pending charges related to missing money at his former law firm in Hampton, S.C.
On Sept. 29, People Magazine published a story alleging that Maggie had met with a divorce attorney in Charleston, S.C., six weeks before her homicide. The article, which cites “a law enforcement source familiar with the investigation,” added that “Maggie drove one hour from the family’s home into Charleston in late April to meet with a lawyer to explore her options about ending her marriage to Alex Murdaugh… What happened during that exploratory consultation is not known – but the source tells PEOPLE that Maggie, 52, had just begun to look into the family finances to determine the state of their marital assets.”
More:2018 death of Gloria Satterfield, Murdaugh housekeeper, sparks SLED investigation, lawsuit
A spokesperson for Alex Murdaugh released the following statement on Sept. 30:
“The most recent allegations by People Magazine regarding the state of Maggie and Alex Murdaugh’s marriage are totally inconsistent with what we have been told by friends and family members. Also, we have reviewed many years of text messages on Alex’s phone, and the conversations between Alex and Maggie portray a very loving relationship. It is our hope that the media will continue to focus on covering the investigation of the person or people responsible for the murder of Maggie and Paul and not reporting salacious stories with no credible sources connected to the Murdaugh family.”
More:Alex Murdaugh arrested in Hampton County; granted $20,000 P.R. bond, no plea given
The Guardian reached out to a spokesperson for the Murdaugh family at large seeking comment, as well as to friends of the family who knew Alex and Maggie well. Emails and phone messages were not immediately returned by press time.
Man Airlifted for Severe Injuries After Being Attacked by Shark off Sonoma Coast
Shortly after 9 a.m., authorities responded to the scene at North Salmon Creek Beach where a man in his 30s sustained severe injuries to the leg from a shark bite
Man Airlifted for Severe Injuries After Being Attacked by Shark off Sonoma Coast
A California surfer was attacked by a shark off the Sonoma Coast on Sunday afternoon.
Shortly after 9 a.m., authorities responded to the scene at North Salmon Creek Beach where a man in his 30s sustained severe injuries to the leg from a shark bite, officials told KPIX.
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Others nearby were able to help the man by applying a tourniquet made of surfboard leashes to his leg while waiting for emergency personnel. The man was airlifted to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital, the news outlet reports.
Surfer Jared Davis said he was paddling out near the man at the time of the attack. After a swell, Davis noticed the man was having an altercation with a shark.
“When he was back into view, I saw the dorsal fin of the shark and then I saw the tail fin of the shark kind of going down into the water,” Davis said. “It definitely wasn’t a quick attack. It was nice and slow.”
Great white shark with open jaws Credit: Getty
After a few moments, the man was able to get away from the shark and paddle into shore alongside Davis.
“He had kind of caught up to me and I saw his leg. It looked like he had a red stripe on his wetsuit, which is pretty common but that was actually blood,” Davis told KPIX.
Another surfer told the Santa Rosa Press Democrat that the shark attacked the man from the side and sunk its teeth into the back of his upper leg.
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The man’s injuries were severe, but he is expected to survive. He was conscious when paramedics were evaluating him, Bodega Bay Fire Capt. David Bynum told the newspaper.
The Sonoma Coast usually has the most sharks in the late summer and fall, Sgt. Tim Murphy, a Sonoma Coast State Park supervising lifeguard, said to the Press Democrat.
“That’s when a lot of sharks that have migrated come back into this area,” said Murphy, who is also a surfer. “We know they’re out there. We just coexist with them.”
ICU Staff Surprise Patient with Vow Renewal Ceremony at Hospital Chapel: She’s a ‘Shining Light’
Collette Hurd renewed her vows while awaiting a lung and kidney transplant at Northwestern Memorial in Chicago
Collette Hurd has had a challenging year — but thanks to her medical team, she recently experienced an unforgettable anniversary with the people she loves.
Last year, 57-year-old Hurd was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension, a rare disease that causes high blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs and heart. In May 2021, she was admitted to Northwestern Memorial in Chicago to await a double-lung transplant, but doctors soon found out she also needed a kidney transplant after experiencing complications from her initial disease.
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According to Northwestern Memorial, Hurd was listed for a double-lung and double-kidney in July and has been waiting ever since.
During her stay at the facility, she has captured the hearts of her nursing staff.
“Collette is a wonderful human,” ICU staff member Kari Brouwer says in a statement sent to PEOPLE.
Chicago ICU Chicago ICU
Left: Credit: Northwestern Medicine Right: Credit: Northwestern Medicine
“Collette knows when you’re having a rough day. She said to me, whenever she goes for a walk, she walks past patient rooms and prays for each one of them. She also prays for the nurses and rehab staff,” Brouwer adds. “Having Collette in the ICU is such a bright light, and she rubs off on everyone she meets. She renews your hope, helps you continue with your day, and reminds you why you got into healthcare in the first place.”
Hurd will soon mark her 20th wedding anniversary. To surprise her for the occasion, staff at the hospital worked with her husband to set up a vow renewal ceremony in the building’s chapel.
Chicago ICU Credit: Northwestern Medicine
For the event, staff members dressed Hurd in a white robe with the word “BRIDE” written on the back and placed blue butterfly stickers on her shoes. Hurd and her husband then toasted with sparkling grape juice, according to the hospital.
It was the least they could do for one of their favorite patients.
“Even in an ICU setting, every day Collette wakes up with a smile on her face,” staff member Carey McGarvey says. “Collette is genuine, truly cares, and gives you a nice ‘hanging out with a friend’ kind of feeling.”
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Physical therapist Megan Burwell says Hurd has been a “shining light,” especially during the pandemic.
“A lot of these patients don’t have visitors or family, so we’re all they have as far as physical contact and support,” she says. “It’s been rewarding, but also sad. These are parents, brothers, sisters. All we can do is be there for them as best we can.”