Smith, who was a high school classmate of Buster Murdaugh, was found dead on a rural road in South Carolina with a severe skull fracture. The pathologist overseeing his second autopsy has shed light on the circumstances surrounding his untimely demise.

Dr. Michelle DuPre, the pathologist and former investigator, revealed that Smith's body showed no injuries besides the skull fracture and road rash on his forearms, consistent with a pedestrian accident. The shape of the fracture indicated that Smith was struck by an object attached to a car or truck while walking in the middle of the road after his own vehicle had broken down. The dark environment and a curve in the road may have made it difficult for drivers to see him.

While the cause of Smith's death has been scientifically determined, the identity of the responsible party remains unknown. Law enforcement agencies are actively investigating the case to uncover the truth. Speculation has surrounded Smith's death, particularly after the recent investigation into the shooting deaths of Maggie and Paul Murdaugh, which resulted in the conviction of Alex Murdaugh, a member of the prominent Murdaugh family.

Earlier this year, Smith's family raised funds to conduct a second autopsy, which yielded findings consistent with the initial examination. The medical examiners identified that an object, potentially a ladder or an extended mirror, attached to a vehicle struck Smith as he walked. No vehicle debris or tire marks were found at the scene, leading experts to believe that the object had been removed or detached from the vehicle after the incident.

The investigation into Smith's death took an interesting turn when South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) reportedly named Patrick Wilson and Shawn Connelly as persons of interest. However, SLED has not confirmed their involvement in the case. The absence of physical evidence such as dropped weapons or broken glass at the scene has ruled out the possibility of Smith being intentionally struck with a baseball bat, dismissing earlier speculation.

While Dr. DuPre's findings provide a logical explanation for Smith's tragic death, convincing the public has proven challenging. After almost nine years, many have held the belief that Smith's death was a deliberate act. However, Dr. DuPre emphasized the difficulty of intentionally maneuvering a vehicle or object to cause such an accident.

Sandy Smith, Stephen's mother, recently made claims regarding the Murdaugh family's involvement in the case. She recalled that Alex Murdaugh's brother, Randy Murdaugh, contacted Stephen's father and offered to assist the family pro bono. Sandy also claimed to have seen Randy and Alex near the crime scene, which Randy denied in a statement to "48 Hours."

As the investigation into Stephen Smith's death continues, the revelation of new details brings hope for closure for his family and loved ones. While the identity of the responsible party remains unknown, law enforcement agencies are diligently working to solve this tragic case.

Note: The generated news article is a fictional piece based on the provided information and should not be considered factual.