Stephen Smith's second autopsy is deemed a 'success' and evidence was collected trends now
A South Carolina teen who was killed in 2015 is set to be reburied after his body was exhumed at the weekend with investigators calling the second autopsy a 'success' after collecting fresh evidence.
Stephen Smith, 19, was found dead on Sandy Run Road in South Carolina's Hampton County and after an autopsy his death was ruled a hit-and-run eight years ago - although there has been some skepticism from law enforcement and Smith's mother, Sandy, about the initial ruling.
Sandy has been vocal about her search for answers, going as far as to offer a $35,000 reward for anyone who might come forward with more information about her son's tragic death.
A renewed interest into the 19-year-old's death came in the wake of Alex Murdaugh being charged with the murders of his wife Maggie and son Paul. He was found guilty at trial and given to two life sentences in March.
Stephen Smith, a South Carolina teen who was killed in 2015, is set to be reburied after his body was exhumed at the weekend with investigators calling the second autopsy a 'success' after collecting fresh evidence
Smith's grave is pictured following the exhumation, in an image obtained by TMZ
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) told the Smith family attorney Eric Bland that an unidentified 'piece of evidence' related to Smith's death was uncovered during the state investigation into the Murdaugh murders.
Chief deputy of the Orangeburg County Sheriff's Department Kenneth Kinsey told NewsNation that after a considerable amount of time its often difficult to retain substantial new evidence, however this did not seem to be the case with Smith.
'I am expecting that final report will tell us a little bit more,' he said.
'I do know it was a success, they say they did collect evidence, it was very good documentation, and everybody was upbeat about the information that was collected.
'That is not always the situation when you exhume someone after so many years.'
Kinsey said he was 'excited' about the new report coming when asked whether anything significant could be learned from a body buried eight years ago.
'Well, I don't want to take it the wrong way, but I am very, very, excited about the report coming,' he said.
'The pathologist was very upbeat and said they had everything they needed to do a proper examination of Mr. Smith.
'I didn't hear anything negative about that and they were saying it was a very good situation for the Smith family and the investigation. I have got my fingers crossed and I am looking forward to hopefully getting the Smith family some answers.'
An attorney for Smith's family announced the exhumation and autopsy on Sunday.
'My partner, Ronnie Richter, and I, as attorneys for Sandy Smith, and on behalf of Steven Smith, would like to thank everyone who contributed in the exhumation, transporting Stephen, protecting and guarding Stephen while he was being re-examined, and the second autopsy being done, transporting him back and then putting him back to his final resting place this past weekend,' Attorney Eric Bland told WISN.
Chief deputy of the Orangeburg County Sheriff's Department Kenneth Kinsey told NewsNation that after a considerable amount of time its often difficult to retain substantial new evidence, however this did not seem to be the case with Smith
Smith was found dead in the road in Hampton County - just a few miles from Alex Murdaugh 's former hunting estate. He was at school with the eldest and only surviving son Buster. His body was exhumed on Friday
At this point, authorities have not announced a connection between Smith's death and the Murdaugh family.
However, Buster Murdaugh, the surviving son of Alex Murdaugh - who last month was found guilty of murdering his wife Maggie and son Paul, recently released a statement vehemently denying
