How did SC teen Stephen Smith die? "48 Hours" obtains findings of independent investigation | Forensic Files

in April of 2023 Dr Michelle Dupri a former investigator and forensic pathologist who's performed more than
3,000 autopsies oversaw the examination of Steven's body the injuries can tell us so much about what happened and in
this case they did they did Dupri says the autopsy confirmed stevenh died from a single blow to his forehead severely
fracturing his skull that's a big gash that's 7 and 1/2 Ines almost there would be another
gash in this posterior area from hitting the pavement so hard literally split his
skull it split his skull they were also able to put to rest some rumors including the one that
Steven had been beaten with a baseball bat it wasn't a baseball bat no those type of injuries would cause something
that we call pattern injuries and we don't see that here this is a linear fracture um as well as this is here just
as important is what they found upri says is what they didn't find we didn't find fractures of any part of the body
except for the head there was a little road rash which you would expect any signs of a struggle no any signs of a
beating no any injuries below his head other than the road rash none whatsoever she says that eliminates the
possibility Steven was hit by a car headon Dupri says the findings also refute early theories that Steven's body
might have been staged were you able to determine whether Steven was struck and fell or he might have B struck and then
placed there we don't believe that he was placed there we believe that whatever happened happened right
there

Because of the odd crime scene, Stephen Smith's mother never believed that it was a hit-and-run. Now a team of high-profile lawyers and forensic experts are helping her get answers. Watch “Stephen Smith: A Death in Murdaugh Country," an all-new "48 Hours" Saturday, Nov. 25 at 10/9c on CBS and streaming on Paramount+.

True crime. Real justice. "48 Hours" investigates the most intriguing crime and justice cases that touch on all areas of the human experience including greed and passion. "48 Hours," which premiered in 1988, has developed a rich history of original reporting and impact journalism that has helped exonerate wrongly convicted people, caused cold cases to be reopened and solved, and along the way changed lives.

Brief Summary

Dr. Michelle Dupri discusses the autopsy of Steven, confirming death from a single blow and refuting various theories about the incident.

Key points

Autopsy Findings Confirm Cause of Death. Dr. Michelle Dupri confirms Steven died from a severe head injury, not a beating.
Elimination of Theories. The findings refute early theories about Steven's death being staged or caused by a car.

Episode highlights

Autopsy Findings Confirm Cause of DeathDr. Michelle Dupri confirms Steven died from a severe head injury, not a beating.“The autopsy confirmed Steven died from a single blow to his forehead.”0:19Nov 22, 2023

Episode quotes

That's a big gash, that's 7 and 1/2 inches!

Dr. Michelle Dupri describing the injury to Steven's skull.

0:24WatchNov 22, 2023

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