The True Story of Mallory Beach from Murdaugh Murders on Lifetime

Lifetime is airing the original movie for Murdaugh Murders: The Movie in a 2-part premiere over October 14th and 15th. You will see the true story of what truly transpired during these awful events in 2019. During what was supposed to be a fun party and night out with friends turned tragic when one friend wound up drowning.

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Who Was Mallory Beach?

Mallory Beach was a friend of Paul Murdaugh. She was only 19 years old in 2019. At the time, she was dating the love of her life, Anthony Cook. A year before her death, Mallory graduated from Wade Hampton High School and was working at a clothing store in South Carolina.

Mallory was born on April 18, 1999 and was the daughter of Phillip Beach and Renee Beach.  During her time at school, she was a star player on the soccer team.  In her spare time, she enjoyed hunting and had aspirations to become an interior designer.  

Mallory had two sisters; Morgan and Savannah.

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What Happened to Mallory?

Mallory and her boyfriend Anthony were out with Paul and a few friends when they all got on a boat late at night on February 24, 2019. It was reported that a very drunken Paul was driving the boat when it crashed in Beaufort, South Carolina.

Anthony and Mallory were thrown overboard into the dark waters at nearly 2:17am. Anthony survived the crash but unfortunately Mallory did not. Nearly 10 days after the crash, two volunteers found her body down the river. The cause of death was determined to be drowning and blunt force trauma.

In a Netflix documentary, Anthony Cook, Mallory’s boyfriend spoke out. He recounted how he considered taking an Uber home with Mallory but decided against it. They were already with all of their friends and didn’t want to leave them behind.

Anthony recalled how intense things were getting on the boat. He said Paul Murdaugh was arguing with one of their friends and ended up putting the boat on at full speed. Anthony grabbed Mallory and put her in his lap to protect her. Unfortunately the boat’s speed was too much and the three passengers; Paul, Anthony and Mallory were all ejected from the boat into the dark waters.

Anthony and Paul were able to swim to the surface. Unfortunately Mallory drowned in the water.

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Who Was Mallory Beach in the Lifetime Movie?

Actress Avril Nickolls portrays Mallory Beach in Murdaugh Murders: The Movie.

Murdaugh Murders: The Movie airs on October 14 and 15, 2023 on Lifetime.