Parker's Kitchen and its insurers have reached a $15 million settlement with the family of Mallory Beach, who tragically died in a 2019 boating accident involving the Murdaugh family's boat in South Carolina. Beach, 19, was a passenger on the boat driven by Paul Murdaugh, son of disgraced lawyer Alex Murdaugh. The boat crashed into a bridge, ejecting several passengers, and Beach's body was recovered eight days later.

The lawsuit alleged that Paul Murdaugh illegally purchased alcohol underage using his mother's credit card and his brother's ID from a Parker's convenience store before the accident. The Beach family's attorney, Tabor Vaux, confirmed the $15 million settlement. Other passengers on the boat also settled their claims against Parker's.

Attorney Mark Tinsley, representing the Beach family, emphasized that the settlement aimed to hold alcohol retailers accountable for preventing sales to minors. The family chose to publicize the settlement to deter similar incidents. The wrongful death trial, initially scheduled for August 14th, has been canceled as a result of the settlement.

This settlement follows a previous agreement between the Beach family and Buster Murdaugh, Paul's brother, and the estate of Maggie Murdaugh. Alex Murdaugh was convicted and sentenced to life in prison for the murders of his wife Maggie and son Paul in 2021.

While the boat crash litigation is concluded, the Beach family intends to pursue a separate civil conspiracy case to address alleged harassment and intimidation tactics employed against them. Parker's attorney, PK Shere, expressed disappointment over the disclosure of settlement details, asserting that the alcohol sale was legal and blaming the accident on the young adults' poor decisions. Shere also criticized the court's decision to link Parker's and Alex Murdaugh in the trial, claiming it would have prevented a fair trial due to South Carolina's joint and several liability law.