The recent decision by the South Carolina Supreme Court to overturn Alex Murdaugh’s double murder conviction has reignited emotional turmoil for those affected by the tragic events surrounding the Murdaugh family. Blanca Turrubiate-Simpson, a former housekeeper for the family and a friend of the deceased, expressed her grief over the implications of the ruling and reflected on the memories of Maggie and Paul Murdaugh.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/blanca-turrubiate-simpson-dog-bubba-111125-186f211a802548c6baf237429f91fe79.jpg)
The court ruled unanimously, citing “improper” jury tampering involving former Colleton County Clerk Becky Hill as the reason for ordering a new trial. Turrubiate-Simpson, who has long been a part of the Murdaugh family’s life, shared with PEOPLE the emotional impact of the court’s decision, noting that it opens old wounds for those who loved Maggie and Paul. “The rest of the world is fascinated by this case, but Maggie and Paul were two living, breathing individuals that I knew,” she said. “For those of us who loved them, we’re still dealing with their loss.”
Expressing her understanding of the legal process, Turrubiate-Simpson acknowledged Alex Murdaugh’s right to a new trial but emphasised the distress it brings to the family’s memory. “A new trial just reopens the emotional part of it all over again. They were real people who are no longer here. They can’t speak for themselves,” she remarked. In her view, while attention has typically centred on Murdaugh, Maggie and Paul remain “the forgotten victims” of this tragic story.
Murdaugh had been sentenced to two consecutive life terms in March 2023 for the murders of his wife and son, which occurred in June 2021 on the family’s hunting estate in Islandton. He continues to proclaim his innocence and had taken the stand during the trial to testify on his behalf. Just after his conviction, Murdaugh’s legal team filed an appeal, alleging improper influence on jurors by Hill.
The South Carolina Supreme Court’s ruling on 13 May stated their agreement with Murdaugh’s claims about jury tampering. This news struck Turrubiate-Simpson hard, even though she had braced herself for the potential outcome. “I thought I was prepared for it but the emotions still came out,” she reported, revealing the depth of her pain and attachment to the Murdaugh family.
Turrubiate-Simpson co-authored a New York Times bestselling book entitled *Within the House of Murdaugh: Amid a Unique Friendship*, which shares insights from her time with the family and explores the events surrounding the tragic deaths. She has been vocal about her theories regarding the case, particularly in light of the evidence presented during the trial. A crucial piece was a Snapchat video that allegedly placed Murdaugh at the crime scene moments before the murders.
In her book, Turrubiate-Simpson questioned various aspects of the timeline and events surrounding the deaths. She noted the unusual behaviour of the family dogs, which did not bark during the critical moments leading up to the shooting, raising questions about the circumstances of the tragedy. “There are a lot of things that were not disclosed, that were not looked at,” she mentioned, highlighting her concerns about the investigations.
On the day of the murders, significant public and media attention had already been directed towards the Murdaugh family, especially concerning a 2019 boating accident in which Paul was implicated. Alex Murdaugh’s legal battles have since extended to multiple financial crimes, with pending sentences amounting to 67 years across state and federal charges unrelated to the murders.
Reflecting on the recent developments in the case, Turrubiate-Simpson expressed a profound sense of sadness. “Their decision was based on a technicality and I have to accept that. I respect the court’s decision. But it’s painful,” she concluded. As the case continues to unfold, the complexity of emotions for those closest to Maggie and Paul Murdaugh remains palpable.
While the legal proceedings move forward, Turrubiate-Simpson remains steadfast in honouring the memories of her former employers and friends, ensuring that their names are not lost in the midst of this prolonged and highly public legal saga.