Who Killed Stephen Smith? Ten Years With Hope But Without Answers...
We’re taking a break from Cup of Justice to bring you a special Premium episode of Soundbites, typically reserved for LUNASHARK Premium Members. Today’s episode is dedicated to the tragic and perplexing case of Stephen Smith.
This episode, from journalist Beth Braden, librarian Kate Thomas, and producer Sam Berlin, aims to review "what we knew and when we knew it" about Stephen's unsolved homicide.
Stephen Smith, a bright 19-year-old nursing student with aspirations of becoming a doctor, was found dead in the middle of Sandy Run Road ten years ago on July 8, 2015. Despite a seven-inch gash on his forehead and blunt force trauma to his head, initial investigators were stumped, and while the coroner believed it was a shooting homicide, a pathologist controversially ruled it a hit-and-run.
This episode delves into the details of the investigation while also providing an intimate look into who Stephen Smith truly was: a kind, funny, generous, and studious young man with a clear plan to become "Dr. Stephen Smith". His legacy also lives on through the Stephen Smith Scholarship fund, established to help need-based nursing students.
A $50,000 reward is available for information leading to an arrest. If you know something or know someone who knows something, no matter how insignificant it may seem, please send tips to SLED at tips@sled.sc.gov or call 803-737-9000.
We invite you to show your support by joining the "Walking With Stephen" memorial event in Hampton, South Carolina, on July 12, 2025.
Episode Resources:
Sign up for the “Walking With Stephen” Memorial Walk on July 12, 2025 🚶🏻➡️
“Who Killed Stephen Smith?” Spotify Playlist 💚
Donate to the Stephen Smith Memorial Scholarship Fund 💚
"News Agency sued over mistaken 'person of interest' in Stephen Smith case. 'We apologized.'" - Greenville News, Feb 7, 2024 📰
“MOTION DENIED - Alex Murdaugh New Trial Hearing With Justice Jean Toal” - LUNASHARK Media YouTube, Jan 29, 2024 🎞️
Tips can be email to SLED at tips@sled.sc.gov or call 803-737-9000 ℹ️
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Cup Of Justice
We all want to drink from the same Cup of Justice... and it starts with learning about our legal system.
With tales from the newsroom and the courtroom, co-hosts Mandy Matney, Liz Farrell and Eric Bland invite you to gain knowledge, insight, and tools to hold public agencies and officials accountable. Beginning as bonus episodes to the Murdaugh Murders Podcast with analysis of the trials of Alex Murdaugh and co-conspirators, Cup of Justice launched as its own show in January of 2023 and debuted at #1 on Apple its very first day and continues to be a top rated pod globally.
Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell from the #1 global hit True Sunlight (formerly Murdaugh Murders Podcast) and everyone’s favorite attorney Eric Bland take a hard look at everything from the state of news to important cases around the world. INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM Mandy and Liz are two of the most driven and talented investigative journalists who are revolutionizing how news is derived and delivered. Join them as they pull at threads and chase down leads to get the story straight. THE LAW With the expertise of Eric Bland, we empower listeners to understand their legal system in an entertaining format while providing tools to hold agencies and public figures accountable in order to give voice to victims and change those systems for the better. JUSTICE SYSTEMS We know that our justice systems are intimidating, but we will all encounter it at one point. Together, our hosts create the perfect trifecta of legal expertise, journalistic integrity and a fire lit to expose the truth wherever it leads.
Learn more about our hosts and mission at http://CupofJusticePod.com
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*The views expressed on the Cup of Justice bonus episodes do not constitute legal advice. Listeners desiring legal advice for any particular legal matter are urged to consult an attorney of their choosing who can provide legal advice based upon a full understanding of the facts and circumstances of their claim. The views expressed on the Cup of Justice episodes also do not express the views or opinions of Bland Richter, LLP, or its attorneys.
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