The 2018 death of Gloria Satterfield, the Murdaugh family’s beloved housekeeper, initially seemed like a tragic accident. However, what followed was a shocking betrayal by Alex Murdaugh, who exploited her death for an elaborate insurance fraud scheme, stealing millions from her sons and ultimately unmasking a web of deceit that led to his conviction for other heinous crimes.
The name Gloria Satterfield has become inextricably linked with the dramatic downfall of the once-powerful Murdaugh legal dynasty in South Carolina. Her death in 2018, initially shrouded in mystery, ultimately served as a pivotal point, unraveling a series of financial crimes and leading investigators to the shocking double murders of Alex Murdaugh’s wife, Maggie, and son, Paul.
The Hulu series Murdaugh: Death in the Family brings Satterfield’s story to the forefront, highlighting the profound impact of Alex Murdaugh’s actions on those closest to him. The portrayal by Kathleen Wilhoite underscores the housekeeper’s importance to the family and the tragic exploitation that followed her untimely demise.
Who Was Gloria Satterfield? A Life of Dedication and Love
Born in February 1961, Gloria Satterfield was the oldest of eight children to Eric Harriott, Sr. and Elizabeth Sheppard Harriott. She was the widow of David Michael Satterfield and a devoted mother to two sons, Brian “Little B” Harriott and Michael Anthony “Tony” Satterfield. According to her obituary from Brice Herndon Funeral Homes, Satterfield was remembered for her infectious laughter and outgoing personality, often favoring the color purple. She passed away on February 26, 2018.
For more than two decades, Gloria Satterfield dedicated her life to the Murdaugh family as their housekeeper. Her son, Tony, shared with People that Satterfield “loved Maggie and Alex and Paul and Buster just awfully.” He added, “She loved what she did, her job. She took pride in it.” Her sister, Ginger Hadwin, emphasized Gloria’s unwavering commitment, noting she would “get up at the crack of dawn and she would go to work and work all day.” Hadwin further explained that Gloria would have given Alex anything he asked for, showcasing her deep loyalty to the family she served.
Disney/Daniel Delgado Jr.
Kathleen Wilhoite and Jason Clarke as Gloria Satterfield and Alex Murdaugh in ‘Murdaugh: Death in the Family’
The Mysterious Fall and Troubling Discrepancies
Gloria Satterfield’s death in February 2018 was attributed to a trip-and-fall incident at the Murdaugh family’s Hampton County home. While specific details surrounding the fall were not immediately disclosed, a 911 call from that morning revealed Maggie Murdaugh reporting that Satterfield “has fallen, and her head is bleeding. I cannot get her up.” Maggie stated that Satterfield fell while ascending eight brick steps outside the residence.
Years later, significant inconsistencies began to emerge. In September 2021, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) launched a criminal investigation into Satterfield’s death after the Hampton County coroner found that the incident was never reported to the coroner in 2018, and no autopsy was performed at the time. Furthermore, the death certificate had reportedly listed the manner of death as ‘natural,’ a classification inconsistent with injuries sustained from a fall.
Alex Murdaugh’s Deception and Insurance Fraud
The investigation into Satterfield’s death took a dark turn with the revelation of Alex Murdaugh’s egregious actions. After Satterfield’s funeral, Murdaugh approached her grieving sons, suggesting they sue his homeowner’s insurance provider and promising he would “make sure the boys were taken care of.” He even recommended his former college roommate and godfather to one of his sons, attorney Cory Fleming, to represent them, without disclosing their close ties.
What followed was a callous betrayal. Murdaugh orchestrated a scheme to steal the settlement funds from Satterfield’s life insurance lawsuit. He admitted in legal filings that he fabricated the widely accepted story that his family’s dogs caused Satterfield to trip and fall. Alex Murdaugh confessed to inventing this narrative to compel his insurers to make a settlement payment and falsely claimed Satterfield was not on the property for work purposes, as federal court documents confirmed.
Satterfield’s sons later discovered that their case had settled for more than $4 million, none of which they received. Tony Satterfield expressed his profound disgust, stating the revelation “made me sick to my stomach.” In October 2021, Alex Murdaugh was arrested for stealing these settlement funds, among over 100 other financial crimes. He was subsequently sentenced to 40 years for 22 financial crimes, adding to his life sentences for the murders of Maggie and Paul Murdaugh.
Daniel Delgado Jr./Disney
Johnny Berchtold and Kathleen Wilhoite as Paul Murdaugh and Gloria Satterfield in ‘Murdaugh: Death in the Family’
The Ripple Effect: Broader Murdaugh Investigations
The criminal investigation into Gloria Satterfield’s death proved to be a critical domino in the sprawling Murdaugh saga. It was this inquiry that ultimately led investigators to re-examine other suspicious events connected to the family, eventually resulting in Alex Murdaugh’s prosecution for the murders of his wife and son in June 2021.
The Murdaugh family’s legal troubles extended far beyond Satterfield’s case:
- 2019 Boating Accident: Paul Murdaugh was awaiting trial for boating under the influence causing death in a February 2019 crash that killed a 19-year-old woman. State police also investigated whether anyone attempted to obstruct justice in this case.
- 2015 Hit-and-Run: Following Maggie and Paul’s deaths, SLED reopened an investigation into the 2015 hit-and-run death of a 19-year-old man, as the victim’s mother suspected Paul Murdaugh’s involvement.
- Financial Crimes: Alex Murdaugh’s law firm alleged he had been taking money from the business, prompting an accounting review and his departure. This embezzlement was part of the broader pattern of financial malfeasance that included the Satterfield insurance fraud.
In June 2022, investigators sought to exhume Satterfield’s body as part of the ongoing probe, a “complex process” to which her family agreed, as reported by WLTX-TV.
A Family’s Fight for Justice and a Lasting Legacy
Prosecutor Creighton Waters, who led the cases against Alex Murdaugh, characterized his actions against Gloria Satterfield’s family as “particularly egregious.” He noted that Alex promised to help the sons of the woman who served his family for so long, only to “steal every single bit of the money.” Gloria’s sister, Ginger Hadwin, poignantly stated that Alex Murdaugh is “a shell of a man” and “can’t have a soul to do what he did.”
James Pollard/AP Photo
Relatives of the Gloria Satterfield sit in court on Sept. 14, 2023, in Beaufort, S.C.
Despite the profound pain and betrayal, Satterfield’s family has channeled their grief into a powerful legacy. Her sister, Ginger Hadwin, established the “Gloria’s Gifts” foundation, an initiative aimed at ensuring needy children receive at least one gift for Christmas. This foundation serves as a testament to Gloria’s generous spirit and her love for children.
Attorney Eric Bland, representing Satterfield’s family, emphasized the importance of this new chapter: “It’s her legacy. It shows that she didn’t die in vain, that her death had a purpose. Now we can smile when we hear the name Gloria.” Through their efforts, the family ensures that Gloria Satterfield’s life, rather than being overshadowed by tragedy and deceit, is remembered for her kindness, dedication, and the positive impact she had on those around her.
