Buster Murdaugh is suing Netflix, Warner Bros. Discovery, and other media companies, alleging they falsely implicated him in the 2015 death of his former classmate, Stephen Smith, and irreparably damaged his reputation.

The lawsuit comes amid heightened scrutiny of the Murdaugh family following the 2021 murders of Buster's mother and brother, which renewed interest in unresolved cases linked to the family. Murdaugh contends that media productions, including Netflix's 'Murdaugh Murders: A Southern Scandal' and HBO Max's 'Low Country: The Murdaugh Dynasty,' falsely portrayed him as being involved in Smith's death. The legal action names several prominent defendants and accuses them of spreading baseless rumors that have severely tarnished Murdaugh's public image.

Stephen Smith was found dead on Sandy Run Road in Hampton County, South Carolina, in the summer of 2015. His death was initially ruled a hit-and-run; however, suspicions lingered about the true nature of the incident. The case lay mostly dormant until renewed scrutiny emerged recently due to other high-profile events surrounding the Murdaugh family.

The case saw significant developments after the murders of Buster Murdaugh's mother, Maggie, and brother, Paul, in June 2021 on the Murdaugh family estate. These events led to a reopening of the investigation into Smith's death by South Carolina state authorities following new information that came to light. The intake of new evidence and increased public interest propelled the case back into the media spotlight.

In March 2022, state authorities reclassified Stephen Smith's death as an 'intentional killing.' This shift in classification intensified public and media speculation regarding the potential involvement of Buster Murdaugh in Smith’s untimely death. Buster Murdaugh has consistently denied any involvement, labeling allegations against him as unfounded and damaging.

Buster Murdaugh's lawsuit accuses several notable entities, including Netflix, Warner Bros. Discovery, Gannett Co., and Hampton County Guardian editor Michael DeWitt, of perpetuating false narratives. The suit highlights specific productions such as the Netflix series 'Murdaugh Murders: A Southern Scandal' and HBO Max's series 'Low Country: The Murdaugh Dynasty,' which allegedly implied Murdaugh's involvement in Smith's death.

'Murdaugh Murders: A Southern Scandal' allegedly portrayed a young man with red hair carrying a baseball bat in a manner that insinuated the involvement of Buster Murdaugh, who is known for his red hair. The lawsuit argues that such representations have misled audiences and contributed to the wrongful vilification of Murdaugh.

Michael DeWitt Jr., editor of the Hampton County Guardian, is also cited in Murdaugh’s lawsuit. The suit claims that DeWitt made statements in various media channels that insinuated Buster Murdaugh’s involvement in the death of Stephen Smith. The lawsuit contends that these statements were highly damaging and contributed to the spread of false allegations.

Buster Murdaugh's lawyer, Shaun Kent, has yet to comment publicly on the specifics of the lawsuit. Requests for statements from Kent have not been immediately returned.

The media's portrayal and insinuation surrounding Buster Murdaugh in the Stephen Smith case have, according to the lawsuit, led to the irreparable damage of Murdaugh’s personal and professional reputation. Despite his consistent denials of any involvement, the lawsuit underscores the significant impact of what he claims are baseless rumors propagated by these media organizations.

As the case progresses, it will likely shed more light on the responsibilities and ethical considerations of media companies in portraying real-life events and individuals. The outcome may not only affect Buster Murdaugh but could also have broader implications for how unsolved cases and controversial figures are depicted in the media.