The family of 19-year-old Mallory Beach has reached a multi-million dollar settlement with convenience store chain Parker’s in a wrongful death lawsuit filed by Beach’s mother in March 2019.

Mallory Beach’s death garnered national attention because of her connection to the now-notorious Murdaugh family. The head of the family, 64-year-old Alex Murdahugh, was found guilty of killing his wife and 22-year-old son, Paul Murdaugh.

Paul Murdaugh was present on the boat when it crashed, ejecting Beach and causing her to die from drowning and blunt force trauma. Her body was recovered a week after the crash. At the time, Paul Murdaugh was 19 years old and was reported to have been drunk and driving his family boat, causing the crash. After reports of the boat accident, the investigation was shrouded in concern, questions, and suspicion regarding the Murdaugh family’s attempt to muddy the investigation in order to protect Paul. The investigation eventually resulted in Paul being charged with three felony counts of boating under the influence.

The wrongful death lawsuit also targeted the Murdaugh family, claiming that they facilitated and condoned Paul's access to alcohol which subsequently led to the boat crash. However, this recent settlement involves The Parker’s Corporation. In their civil complaint, the plaintiffs sought to hold Parker’s liable for selling alcohol to Paul Murdaugh while he was underage. To settle the lawsuit, the convenience store chain has agreed to pay $15 million to the family of Mallory Beach. An additional $3 million will be paid out to four other teenage passengers who were onboard the boat; Anthony Cook, Morgan Doughty, Miley Altman, and Connor Cook.

The Murdaugh family murders sparked national attention and heightened scrutiny of the prominent family that had deep roots in the small town of Islandton, South Carolina. The family legal dynasty had connections in nearly all parts of the local government including law enforcement and the judicial system.

The legal team for Parker’s issued a statement that explained in part "It is disappointing that the contents of settlement discussions have been disclosed." However, insurance companies for Parker’s decided to settle "to avoid paying the likely award intended to punish Alex Murdaugh."

The legal team for the Beach family shared, "The Beach family believes this settlement will serve as a warning to all the Parker's of the world, who might make an illegal sale of alcohol to a minor."

Alex Murdaugh and his sons had built a reputation of living above the law, that is until rumors began to surface about Alex Murdaugh's alleged involvement in the string of suspicious murders. While Murdaugh has only been charged with the murder of his wife and son, he and his sons have also been connected to the unexpected death of his housekeeper, Gloria Satterfield, in 2018 and the mysterious death of 19-year-old teen, Stephen Smith, in 2015. Smith was associated with Alex Murdaugh's oldest son, Buster, and his death has been clouded with suspicion after he was found in the middle of a rural Hampton County road. His death was initially ruled a hit-and-run, but an investigation was relaunched after his death was ruled a homicide in late March 2023.