The tragic death of Mallory Beach has sent shockwaves throughout the country, and now new details have emerged from the autopsy results. On February 24th, 2019, Mallory Beach, a 19-year-old college student, was out boating with her friends on Archer Creek when their boat crashed into a bridge and threw her off the vessel. After an extensive search, her body was found days later scattered across Pritchards Island.
Now, nearly two years later, the official autopsy results have been released to the public. The findings provide new insights into the young woman’s death and raise questions about the circumstances surrounding the incident.
According to the autopsy, Mallory’s death was caused by drowning and blunt force trauma. The report states that she had injuries to her head, neck, torso, and extremities. The findings indicate that she was thrown from the boat with significant force and suffered multiple impacts before eventually drowning.
The autopsy further revealed that Mallory’s blood alcohol level was 0.17, more than twice the legal limit for someone under the age of 21. This finding has led many to suggest that reckless behavior was a contributing factor in the accident. The boat itself was also found to be overloaded, further complicating the situation.
Soon after the accident, Paul Murdaugh, who was driving the boat and is the son of a prominent South Carolina family, was charged with boating under the influence. However, he was allowed to post bail and avoid prison while awaiting trial. Tragically, he was later involved in another fatal accident and was eventually found dead in June 2021.
The tragic incident has raised questions about the lack of accountability for individuals who operate boats while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. It has also reignited the debate on the use of bail in cases of serious crimes.
Mallory’s family has been vocal in their criticism of the investigation, expressing frustration with the delay in the release of the autopsy results and the handling of the case. They have also filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Murdaugh and his family, alleging that they “knew, or should have known, that Paul was a reckless, habitual, and dangerous user of alcohol and drugs.”
The family’s attorney, Mark Tinsley, has stated that the autopsy results are “another piece of evidence that this was a tragic accident and avoidable had Paul Murdaugh not been driving that boat.” Tinsley has also criticized the decision to grant Murdaugh bail and has called for more stringent laws to hold those accountable for reckless behavior on the water.
The death of Mallory Beach is a heartbreaking reminder of the consequences of reckless behavior on the water. As more details emerge from the autopsy results, it becomes clear that there is a need for more accountability for those who operate boats while under the influence. Mallory’s family has vowed to continue fighting for justice while honoring her memory, and the public remains vigilant in their pursuit of answers and accountability for this tragic incident.
