Miley Altman is one of the five people who survived the February 2019 boat crash near Parris Island, South Carolina, that killed 19-year-old Mallory Beach and set off years of litigation against the Murdaugh family. Altman, then dating fellow passenger Connor Cook and close friends with Beach, was injured in the wreck, gave early statements to investigators identifying Paul Murdaugh as the driver, later sued members of the Murdaugh family and the convenience store chain that sold Paul alcohol, and appeared in the Netflix docuseries Murdaugh Murders: A Southern Scandal.
What Happened on the Boat
On the night of February 23, 2019, Altman went out on the Murdaugh family’s boat in Beaufort County with Beach, Connor Cook, Anthony Cook, Morgan Doughty, and Paul Murdaugh. Earlier that evening, Paul had bought alcohol at a Parker’s Kitchen in Ridgeland using his brother Buster’s driver’s license and his mother Maggie’s credit card.1NPR. Murdaugh Boat Crash Suit Ends in $15 Million Settlement for Family of SC Teen Who Died A blood test performed after the crash put his blood alcohol level above 0.28%, more than three times the legal limit.2CBS News. Alex Murdaugh Mallory Beach Boat Accident Lawsuit Settled
In the Netflix series, Altman described Paul’s behavior at the wheel: “Paul would just leave the wheel unattended. Connor would have to grab it. I literally stood up and yelled at him, ‘if you’re not gonna let anybody else drive, you could at least take us home!'”3Seventeen. Miley Altman Murdaugh Murders The boat struck a bridge piling at Archer’s Creek near Parris Island, throwing everyone aboard into the water. Beach was the only passenger not accounted for; her body was recovered a week later near the Broad River Boat Landing, roughly five miles from the bridge, and the coroner determined she died of drowning and blunt force trauma.4Live5 News. a href=”https://www.live5news.com/2026/02/24/this-day-history-feb-24-2019-mallory-beach-dies-boat-crash/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>This Day in History: Feb 24, 2019 — Mallory Beach Dies in Boat Crash
Altman was taken to Beaufort Memorial Hospital. Her later lawsuit described injuries to her “arm and other parts of her body” that she said resulted in permanent harm.5Live5 News. Alex Murdaugh Named in Two New Lawsuits Related to Fatal Boat Crash
What Altman Told Investigators
On February 25, 2019, the day after the crash, officers with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources interviewed Altman. She told them she believed Paul Murdaugh was driving at the moment of impact: “I’m pretty sure it was Paul.” She acknowledged she had not been looking back at the console the entire time and could not be completely certain whether control had briefly shifted between Paul and Connor Cook.6Oxygen. Paul Murdaugh Was Likely at Helm of Boat During Deadly 2019 Crash, Survivor Says
Altman also told investigators that Paul did not call his father first after the crash.7Island Packet. Miley Altman Police Interview According to her account, Paul repeatedly asked to use her cell phone to call his grandfather, Randolph Murdaugh III, the former longtime regional solicitor.6Oxygen. Paul Murdaugh Was Likely at Helm of Boat During Deadly 2019 Crash, Survivor Says
Paul Murdaugh was charged with three felony counts, including boating under the influence resulting in death, and pleaded not guilty. The criminal case never went to trial. In June 2021, Paul and his mother, Maggie, were shot and killed at the family’s Colleton County hunting property; Alex Murdaugh was later convicted of both murders.8BBC. Murdaugh Boat Crash Suit Settled2CBS News. Alex Murdaugh Mallory Beach Boat Accident Lawsuit Settled
Altman’s Lawsuit and Settlements
On February 14, 2022, Altman filed a personal injury lawsuit through attorney Mark Tinsley, alongside a parallel suit by Morgan Doughty. The defendants included Alex Murdaugh, Buster Murdaugh, Parker’s Corporation, and the estates of Maggie and Paul Murdaugh, represented by Alex’s brothers John Marvin and Randy Murdaugh.9Island Packet. Doughty and Altman Lawsuits Filed The suit alleged that Alex and Maggie had “actual and constructive knowledge” of Paul’s habitual excessive drinking and had enabled it by letting him use Buster’s ID and their credit card to buy alcohol. Buster was accused of knowingly providing his license and obtaining a duplicate from the DMV, and Parker’s was accused of making the illegal sale and failing to properly train employees.5Live5 News. Alex Murdaugh Named in Two New Lawsuits Related to Fatal Boat Crash
Tinsley also filed a creditor claim in Colleton County probate court for $5 million on Altman’s behalf against the Murdaugh estates, a legal maneuver to stake a claim to the family’s real estate, including the Moselle property, and prevent assets from being distributed before the cases were resolved.10Oxygen. Renee Beach, Miley Altman, Morgan Doughty File Claims Against Murdaugh Estates
Two settlements followed. In January 2023, the plaintiffs reached an agreement with Maggie Murdaugh’s estate and Buster Murdaugh that distributed $517,892 in cash plus a 2021 Mercedes SUV valued at roughly $85,000; about $373,608 of those funds was designated collectively for Altman and Doughty, with the Beach family sharing in the remainder. Then in July 2023, all parties settled with Parker’s Kitchen for $18 million, plus $500,000 from Alex Murdaugh’s Progressive boat insurance policy. The Beach family received $15 million. The $3.5 million remainder was split among the four survivors, with Altman receiving $400,000, Doughty $1.1 million, and Connor and Anthony Cook $1 million each.11ABC News 4. Judge Approves Parker’s $15M Settlement in Mallory Beach Boat Death Case The settlement did not require Parker’s to admit responsibility.12The Indiana Lawyer. Store That Sold Alex Murdaugh’s Son Beer Must Pay $15 Million
Her Friendship With Mallory Beach
Altman has spoken about Beach in both her police interview and the Netflix series. She described how the two became friends: “She came up to me and told me I was pretty; the rest is history. I was just this little shy girl. She was this little fireball, talking nonstop.” On losing her, she said, “I think Mallory was just too good for this earth. I mean, I think about her every day, and it’s hard to move on without her.”3Seventeen. Miley Altman Murdaugh Murders
Altman and Doughty both got tattoos in Beach’s memory.3Seventeen. Miley Altman Murdaugh Murders13Mal’s Palz. Mal’s Palz11ABC News 4. Judge Approves Parker’s $15M Settlement in Mallory Beach Boat Death Case
Where Miley Altman Is Now
Altman and Connor Cook are still together and have one child. The couple lives in Estill, South Carolina, where Cook runs a forestry business called C.M. Cook Construction.14People. Where Is Connor Cook Now After the Parker’s settlement was finalized in July 2023, Cook’s attorney, Joe McCulloch, said it was “a wonderful way to start their new life with a baby” and that the couple hoped to “close the door to some of this publicity and resume their kind of anonymous life in Hampton County.”15WSAV. Lawyers React to Beach Family Parker’s Settlement Altman keeps her social media accounts private, with her Instagram bio linking to the Mal’s Palz page.3Seventeen. Miley Altman Murdaugh Murders