On Wednesday (September 15), the state law enforcement division (SLED) said it was opening a criminal investigation into the death of former housekeeper Gloria Satterfield.

The agency said the case was reopened by request from the Hampton County coroner and on "information gathered" during a separate investigation involving Murdaugh.

Hampton County Coroner Angela Topper wrote a letter to state investigators in her request confirming Satterfield's death "was not reported to the coroner at the time, nor was an autopsy performed," NBC News reports.

"On the death certificate, the manner of death was ruled 'natural,' which is inconsistent with injuries sustained in a trip and fall accident," Topper added.

Satterfield's family released a statement in response to the announcement of the investigation, calling it a "sad day."

"The news of the opening of a criminal investigation causes more questions at a time when the family just wanted answers regarding the claims that were asserted in connection with the death of their mother and any settlements reached," the statement said. "Today this nightmare escalated for the family with the news of the opening of the criminal investigation into the death of Gloria Satterfield."

Satterfield's family filed a lawsuit in Hampton County court Wednesday accusing Murdaugh and others of breach of fiduciary duty in failing to compensate the family in a wrongful death settlement.

Satterfield, 57, died in February 2018 after experiencing injuries during a fall in the Murdaugh home, where she had worked for more than two decades.

The lawsuit states "the exact details of the fall remain unclear" and her two sons, Michael "Tony" Satterfield and Brian Harriott were entitled to be paid $475,000 in direct payment to "compensate them for the grief, sorrow and mourning associated with the loss of their mother" in relation to the wrongful death settlement.

Murdaugh had the home insured through Lloyd's of London and promised to "take care of the boys" by suing himself to collect on personal liability insurance through Lloyd's, according to the lawsuit.

However, a "stipulation of dismissal" was filed in October 2020 -- nearly two years after a partial settlement was reached with the insurance firm -- ending the estate's claims against Murdaugh, who also reportedly signed the stipulation, according to an exhibit attached to the lawsuit.

Ronald Richter Jr., who represents the Satterfield family, said they didn't receive any compensation.

The latest events add to a strange situation surrounding the family as questions continue to be raised regarding the fatal shootings of Murdaugh's wife, Margaret, 52, and their son Paul, 22, in June, three days after Murdaugh's father, prosecutor Randolph Murdaugh III, had also died.

Sitemap