Jason Murph: Father and 6-yr-old daughter found dead near their truck after going missing on road trip

CALHOUN COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA: Many questions still remain about how a man and his six-year-old daughter ended up stranded on the way to the man's mother's house and what actually transpired in their final hours, despite the coroner ruling that they died of hypothermia.

42-year-old Jason Murph and his daughter Michelle were traveling approximately 65 miles to see Jason's mother in Orangeburg, South Carolina, from Blythewood, South Carolina.

Jason Murph and Michelle Murph found dead

The mother of the young child and Murph's estranged wife claimed that she last spoke with them on December 16 at around 8.00 pm. Murph informed her that he lost control of his vehicle and skidded off the road, leaving him unsure of his location. In the background, she could also hear the child sobbing hysterically.

Murph's silver Toyota Tundra was discovered in a field close to Interstate 301 in Calhoun County, damaged and burned, two days later. Police K-9s and Richland County Sheriff's Department officers discovered their bodies about 100 yards away at 1.00 pm.

The father and daughter duo passed away from hypothermia as a result of the weather, according to a Calhoun County coroner, although the results of their autopsy were not conclusive.

Their deaths remain shrouded in mystery, despite officials' claims that there were no indications of foul play.

To see Murph's mother, 42-year-old Jason Murph and his six-year-old daughter Michelle were traveling from Blythewood to Orangeburg. Authorities discovered the wrecked silver Toyota Tundra on Monday, December 18, at 1.00 pm close to Lavender Lane in South Carolina, which is located just off Interstate 26 close to the 136-mile marker.

The moment Murph stopped at an Exxon station an hour before speaking with his estranged wife and before the two were reported missing, his silver truck (seen above) was caught on camera. On December 16, the temperature in South Carolina was in the low 30s.

What did coroner say?

The coroner stated that even though the temperature was above freezing, he still thinks weather had a role. "Because of the elements," said Calhoun County Coroner Donnie Porth, as reported by DUK News.

"It wasn’t below freezing by no means, but because of the wind and the rain, they become extremely cold, and I think it became an urgency for them to try to find help and try to find shelter."

The coroner proposed that the truck got lodged in the mud, and the evidence gathered at the site indicated that they attempted to pull it out from the mud. However, the friction caused by the unsuccessful attempts ignited a grass fire.

"In my opinion, the car actually started the grass fire probably about 10.30 pm, but unfortunately, when the car fire was extinguished, I think that’s when they became urgent to get out," said Porth.

He claimed that as they were strolling alongside each other in a muddy creek close to the scene, the father fell into the muck. The father and daughter were discovered beside each other.

"I feel like they were walking together, and unfortunately, he is being heavier than she is, he sank into the mud, and the more you struggle, the deeper you go," Porth told the outlet.

"I would ask everyone to keep family and friends and their prayers and thoughts."

Although they weren't together, the girl's parents were caring for their daughter. Before the tragedy, the child had been under her father's care for at least two weeks.

Mother reported hearing their daughter yelling

The mother claimed to have heard their daughter yelling in the background, per a police report. She informed the police that Jason's phone had died and that he had hung up and refused to answer.

Although Murph's wife had texted him to call 911, she never received a response from him either.

At an Exxon station, the silver truck was caught on surveillance camera. According to WACH News, the time stamp was approximately one hour prior to Murph speaking with his daughter's mother.

The father and daughter were photographed at a prior holiday get-together with Santa. The young girl attended the Richland School District's Sandlapper Elementary School.

Jason Murph's cousin, Quentin Murph expressed his confusion over the pair's whereabouts, saying, "The area they were found was not on the route to grandma's house." Quentin Murph spoke with local 5 KALB reported.

He conveyed his sadness at not being able to support his family. "We’re sorry we weren’t there to maybe help you during the time you needed us the most," he replied.

"I just want to say we love you and we’ll always keep you in our fondest memories."