Convicted killer Alex Murdaugh had an awkward prison phone call with his only surviving son, Buster, that lasted just 42 seconds and involved little warmth, according to newly released audio recording.
Murdaugh, 64, phoned his son from an undisclosed South Carolina prison on May 16, FITS News reported.
“Hey buddy,” Murdaugh says to open the call.
“Hey, I don’t have a whole lot of time. I just boarded a ferry to go back to Hilton Head Island from Daufuskie (Island),” Buster replies.
“I’ve been trying to call. I was supposed to call you while you were with Jim, about this meeting,” Murdaugh says, possibly referring to Jim Griffin, one of the lawyers who defended him. “How about text Jim and let him know I’m trying to call him.”
Buster replies with a barely heard “OK.”
“Did he talk to you about that — about the thing that I told him?” Murdaugh asks through phone static.
“No, I can’t really understand you either,” Buster replies.
“I’m going to leave word with Jim and he’ll be in touch with you,” Murdaugh continues.
As the call ends, the two exchange stilted “love yous” and Murdaugh tells his son he is proud of him.
Buster, 26, testified in his father’s defense at his double murder trial earlier this year. Alex Murdaugh was convicted of fatally shooting Buster’s younger brother, Paul, and his mother, Maggie, on the family property in June 2021. He was sentenced to life in prison.
FITS News has requested all of Murdaugh’s correspondence from jail through South Carolina public record laws. The Alex-Buster phone call was the first audio recording the independent South Carolina media outlet has received.
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