College scholarship fund created in memory of slain Hampton County teen Stephen Smith

Michael M. DeWitt, Jr., Greenville News
·3 min read

The mother of a slain Hampton County teen ― whose death remains a high profile, unsolved mystery ― recently announced the creation of a college scholarship in her son's memory.

Stephen Smith, a 19-year-old nursing student, was found dead on a rural Hampton County road on July 8, 2015. While no one has yet to be criminally charged in his homicide, his family has kept hope, justice and his memory alive in several ways over the past eight years.

After launching a wildly successful GoFundMe account, which funded the erection of a headstone memorial, launched an independent investigation, and even a $30,000 reward for the arrest of his killer(s), the Smith family has taken a new step in honoring this victim's life and foregone dreams.

A recent memorial included a display of photos of young Stephen Smith. The late Smith wanted to be a nurse, and now a scholarship created in his memory may help future nursing students.
A recent memorial included a display of photos of young Stephen Smith. The late Smith wanted to be a nurse, and now a scholarship created in his memory may help future nursing students.

Smith family announces Stephen Nicholas Smith Memorial Scholarship

On Sept. 28, Sandy Smith, Stephen's mother, announced that the Smith family had partnered with a regional nonprofit, the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry, to create and administer a new college scholarship.

The Stephen Nicholas Smith Memorial Scholarship was "established in loving memory of Stephen by his family and friends," states the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry scholarship page, "to provide annual scholarship support for qualified students with financial need who are in pursuit of a post-secondary education, with a preference for the field of Nursing."

To make a one-time or recurring donation, go to https://lowcountry.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=2551 and donors can even leave comments or tribute information to dedicate their donation to someone.

Sandy Smith first announced the scholarship fund during a Sept. 28 segment of Court TV, where she was joined by her attorney, Eric Bland, and her friend, journalist/podcaster Mandy Matney.

Sandy Smith smiles behind the new memorial for her son, Stephen Smith.
Sandy Smith smiles behind the new memorial for her son, Stephen Smith.

What happened to Stephen Smith, and who killed him?

Behind the scenes, progress is being made in the homicide investigation of Stephen Smith, a Smith family attorney told The Hampton County Guardian recently.

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), which took over the Smith's cold case and began investigating the unsolved death in the summer of 2021, is making "substantial" progress, attorney Eric Bland said.

SLED Chief Mark Keel has been keeping the Smith family updated, and the most recent SLED update was promising, Bland said.

Smith's body was found lying in the middle of Sandy Run Road in rural Hampton County in the early morning hours of July 8, 2015, with fatal blunt force trauma to the head and other, secondary injuries.

Originally ruled a vehicular hit-and-run homicide in 2015, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) reopened the case in June 2021 and on March 23 of this year, SLED confirmed to the Smith family that it was officially considering the case a murder investigation.

The cold case of Smith's unsolved 2015 death, reignited in light of recent events surrounding convicted murderer and accused fraudster Richard "Alex" Murdaugh, has been the subject of rallying cries for justice in recent months, a cry amplified after his mother, Sandy Smith, launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for an exhumation and an independent autopsy of her son, and to hire new investigators and legal representation in hopes of sparking a new investigation.

In addition to any new evidence that might have been yielded in the second autopsy, SLED forensics agents have located and are combing over other physical evidence, such as Smith's phone, tablet, clothing and rape kit.

Bland, of Bland Richter LLP, began representing Smith's case after being retained by the young man's mother, Sandy Smith, in the wake of the Murdaugh murder conviction. Bland Richter made headlines in the Murdaugh case for their work representing the family of Gloria Satterfield, whose accidental death in 2018 led to criminal and civil cases against Murdaugh.

Follow Hampton County Guardian Editor Michael DeWitt on Twitter at @mmdewittjr and support his local and national journalism with a digital subscription.

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: College scholarship fund created in memory of slain teen Stephen Smith