Ryan Kelly, a former South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) investigator who played a significant role in the Alex Murdaugh investigations, has been fired from his position as chief inspector at the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office. The agency confirmed his termination on June 8, which came after allegations of harassment and improper conduct.
Kelly oversaw the sheriff’s office’s Office of Professional Standards, responsible for internal affairs. His firing occurs ahead of Murdaugh’s anticipated retrial for the 2021 murders of his wife, Maggie, and son, Paul. The South Carolina Supreme Court had previously overturned Murdaugh’s double murder conviction in May, citing alleged jury tampering by the former clerk of court, Becky Hill.
Murdaugh’s defense attorney, Dick Harpootlian, declined to comment when asked if Kelly’s termination could affect the upcoming retrial.
During Murdaugh’s initial trial in 2023, Kelly testified as a key witness. He was the lead investigator for the September 2021 roadside shooting incident, in which Murdaugh initially claimed to have been shot by an unknown assailant. Prosecutors presented this incident as evidence of Murdaugh’s pattern of deception, as he later admitted to arranging the shooting himself to allow his son, Buster, to collect a life insurance payout. This roadside shooting, though separate from the murders, was a crucial element in the prosecution's broader case.
Murdaugh, 58, was convicted in March 2023 of fatally shooting Maggie, 52, and Paul, 22, at their Colleton County hunting estate in June 2021. He was sentenced to life in prison. His legal team has pursued a new trial, arguing that the jury was improperly influenced by Rebecca Hill. Despite the murder convictions being overturned, Murdaugh remains incarcerated for separate financial crimes. Prosecutors have stated their intention to retry him on the murder charges.