The oldest son of prominent former lawyer and murderer Alex Murdaugh,
Buster Murdaugh, is appealing for his name to be kept from media accounts of the 2015 killing of a young man.
Stephen Smith, who was 19 when his body was discovered on a country road in Hampton County,
South Carolina, has not been linked to 26-year-old Buster Murdaugh.
Almost 15 miles from the Murdaugh residence and 2 to 3 miles from Smith's car,
which had reportedly run out of gas, the find was made.
In a statement released on Monday, he refuted the unfounded rumors that he was somehow connected to Stephen's demise.
"My heart goes out to the Smith family, and I categorically deny any participation in his death," said the speaker.