Key Ex-SLED Investigator In Murdaugh Case Fired From Charleston Sheriff
Charleston County Sheriff's Office fired chief inspector Ryan Kelly on June 8, 2026, citing allegations of harassment and improper conduct.[1]
Kelly had joined the sheriff's office in 2025 after more than a decade as a senior agent with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.[1] He was the lead investigator on Alex Murdaugh's September 2021 roadside shooting and later testified about that incident in Murdaugh's 2023 murder trial.[1]
The South Carolina Supreme Court ordered a retrial for Murdaugh in May 2026 after findings of alleged jury tampering.[1] Murdaugh's defense team has not yet commented on whether Kelly's firing will play a role in its approach.[1]
Agency records show the internal probe looked at alleged unbecoming conduct, harassment, improper procedures and unsatisfactory performance.[1] As chief inspector of the Office of Professional Standards, he oversaw internal investigations, ticket control, grants and accreditation for the sheriff's office.[1]
The mainstream summary does not mention the broader implications of Kelly's firing, particularly in the context of public trust in the criminal justice system. A 2024 Law360 analysis highlights that public mistrust stems from negative personal experiences with courts and systemic issues, including sensational media coverage and a culture that frames legal cases as adversarial rather than collaborative. This context suggests that Kelly's dismissal could further erode confidence in law enforcement institutions, particularly given his role in high-profile cases like Murdaugh's.
Additionally, while the summary notes the internal investigation into Kelly for harassment and improper conduct, it does not detail the nature of these allegations. According to agency records, the investigation also looked into unsatisfactory performance and improper procedures, which could indicate deeper systemic issues within the Charleston County Sheriff's Office. Such details could inform public perception and response to the ongoing scrutiny surrounding the Murdaugh case and its associated legal proceedings.
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📊 Relevant Data
The internal investigation into Capt. Ryan Kelly centered on allegations of unbecoming conduct, harassment, improper procedures, and unsatisfactory performance, according to agency records obtained by news outlets.
Unbecoming conduct, harassment: Charleston Sheriff's Chief Inspector of Internal Affairs fired — Live 5 News (WCSC)
Kelly joined the Charleston County Sheriff's Office in 2025 after serving as a senior special agent with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division from 2012 through 2025.
As Murdaugh Retrial Looms, Another Former SLED Investigator Faces Scrutiny — FITSNews
In his role as chief inspector of the Office of Professional Standards, Kelly oversaw internal investigations, ticket control, grants, and accreditation for the Charleston County Sheriff's Office.
Office of Professional Standards — Charleston County Government
📌 Key Facts
- On June 8, 2026, Charleston County Sheriff's Office fired chief inspector Ryan Kelly, citing allegations of harassment and improper conduct.
- Kelly previously served as a senior SLED agent and was the lead investigator on Alex Murdaugh's September 2021 roadside shooting, later testifying about it in the 2023 murder trial.
- Murdaugh's retrial was ordered by the South Carolina Supreme Court in May 2026 after findings of alleged jury tampering, and his defense team has not yet said how Kelly's firing might factor into their strategy.
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