Alex Murdaugh, the disgraced South Carolina lawyer currently serving two life sentences for the murders of his wife Maggie and son Paul, continues to make headlines. A new book, “Tangled Vines: Power, Privilege, and the Murdaugh Family Murders” by John Glatt, delves deep into the family’s dark history and reveals shocking new details, including Murdaugh’s plan to throw a birthday party for Paul from jail.
Glatt, a seasoned true crime author, spent considerable time in South Carolina’s Low Country, immersing himself in the culture and speaking to locals to understand the extent of the Murdaugh family’s influence. The Murdaughs, a legal dynasty, had held sway over the region for over a century, with their power stretching from the courtroom to local politics. Their reign, however, began to crumble with the 2019 boat crash that claimed the life of Mallory Beach. Paul Murdaugh, piloting the boat under the influence of alcohol, was charged in the incident. This tragedy, Glatt believes, set off a chain of events that culminated in the double homicide.
Alex Murdaugh during his double murder trial.
Glatt’s research unearthed disturbing information about Alex Murdaugh’s behavior following the murders. Through Freedom of Information Act requests, Glatt accessed over 200 phone calls made by Murdaugh from jail. In one such call, made in April 2022, Murdaugh discusses arrangements for Paul’s 23rd birthday party with his surviving son, Buster.
Despite being accused of murdering Paul, Murdaugh appeared eager to celebrate his son’s birthday, even going so far as to inquire about the guest list and social media buzz surrounding the event. This revelation paints a chilling picture of Murdaugh’s psyche, suggesting a calculated attempt to project an image of innocence and grief.
Murdaugh family photo.
Further deepening the unsettling nature of Murdaugh’s actions, Glatt reveals that Murdaugh also made a point of ensuring that flowers were placed on Maggie’s grave for Mother’s Day, repeatedly checking with Buster to confirm their delivery. These acts, Glatt argues, were part of a deliberate facade crafted by Murdaugh to manipulate public perception and portray himself as a grieving husband and father.
In addition to the birthday party revelation, Glatt’s book uncovers other unsettling incidents involving the Murdaugh family. One such incident involved Paul and his friends causing significant damage to a rental home. True to form, Alex Murdaugh used his wealth and influence to silence the homeowners and suppress negative publicity.
Glatt’s book paints a disturbing portrait of a man seemingly devoid of empathy and consumed by self-preservation. “Tangled Vines” is a chilling reminder of the dark side of power and privilege, and the lengths to which some will go to maintain their carefully constructed facade.
