Her body as later found with 120 stab wounds in remote woods 65 miles from Columbia. She held up her right hand to shield herself and her palm was stabbed all the way through. She watched video being circulated of the dark car. , Post and Courier, an Evening Post Publishing Newspaper Group. entered his car by mistake believing it was her Uber ride. Ladies and gentlemen, I want you to hear this number again, and that is zero, lawyer Tracy Pinnock said. A fingerprint on the envelope would be matched to Rowland and blood on the envelope belonged to Josephson. The first sign of concern for Samanthas roommates was their inability to contact her the next morning. I close my eyes, and I feel what she endured at his hands.. During a candlelight vigil in Columbia, SC later on Sunday, friends remembered Samantha as somebody who "had a personality and a presence that lit up a room, and everyone was automatically happier" when she was there. Josephson was weeks away from graduating with a degree in political science when she was killed. Read more: The Wrong Car: Shocking Details Of Samantha Josephson's Alleged Murder. That only angered Judge Clifton Newman, who cited the overwhelming video evidence. To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com. The jury determined the 27-year-old killed Josephson, 21, by stabbing her 120 times. Her death has inspired action from state lawmakers in South Carolina, who passed legislation soon after her killing requiring all ride-share vehicles to display an illuminated sign featuring their company's name. Josephsons DNA was also collected from Rowlands fingernails. She said she jokingly asked Rowland if he'd hit a dog with his car and then put the dying animal in the back seat. Detectives said she had just ordered a lift on the popular hail-a-ride app - but the real Uber driver later cancelled the journey after she failed to show up. Samantha Josephson was born to Seymour and Marci Josephson in August 1997 in Princeton, New Jersey. Zero. It was shortly after 2 a.m. when Josephson ordered an Uber ride to take her back to her ninth-floor apartment on Main Street after drinks and music with friends. ", "My daughter's name is Samantha Josephson," Marci said during an emotional bond hearing on Saturday, according to a recording from WIS News in Columbia, SC. The film . Samantha Josephson, from Robinsville, New Jersey, was a student at the University of South Carolina where she majored in political science. Upon being apprehended, Nathaniel Rowland, who was 24 at the time, was searched for evidence in the car. But Howard needed the car to drive to her mothers house to pick up rent money. When she woke, he was gone. But he said Samanthas phone went dead in Rosewood, South Carolina. For other inquiries, Contact Us. I close my eyes and I feel what she endured at his hands. 5. What happened to Samantha Josephson? The couple went from just talking to a formal relationship during the spring of 2017. Josephson's rose gold iPhone gave her location for the last time at South Ott Road and Montgomery Avenue in Rosewood after 2:30 a.m. before being powered off or losing signal. Corbishley received a call that night to meet Josephson's parents at the police station. Carrier Clinic, Protect Your Home from Ticks with Yard Guard from Viking Pest, Now Hiring Front Counter Sales/Business Development, Worker Killed After Being Electrocuted By Live Power Line In Mercer, Highest NJ Property Taxes: See Where Your Town Ranks On New List, Mercers Annual St. Patricks Day Parade To Be Held On March 11, By Summer, Princeton U. As parents, Mayor Dave Fried and others said, "This is just beyond my comprehension capabilities.". She worked hard, was graduating college in may and starting law school in September.". Shame on him," she said. At his trial in 2021, the prosections witness said DNA under Nathaniels fingernails matched Samantha. He was caught and arrested on March 20, 2019. According to his Facebook page he attended South Carolina State University in 2017, but the schools chief of staff in 2019 confirmed he was not a student there at the time of Samanthas killing. They returned home without some of Howard's clothes being washed, including her uniform shirt for work. She had planned to go to the Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law in Philadelphia upon her graduation. He imagined she had left her phone in the cab at the time. Her final moments. The young woman's name is Samantha Josephson'was discovered dead many kilometers from where she was last seen hours later. Rowland used the child-lock to trap Josephson. The defense had motioned for a new trial based on the brevity of the deliberations, but Newman denied the motion. Subscribe 182K views 1 year ago Sydney Josephson, the sister of Samantha Josephson, spoke during sentencing of Nathaniel Rowland. She was found dead in a field. He had his eyes on Ms. Josephson as she walked outside the Bird Dog Lounge in Five Points alone, as she walked outside, as she had ordered an Uber ride, alone.. The McDonald's visor she had left in his back window was gone. Rowland, who was 24 at the time of the killing, is a resident of New Zion in Clarendon County, Columbus. Police must rely on CCTV footage to Samantha Josephson, a college student, boards what she believes to be her rideshare in 2019 after a night out with friends, never to be seen alive again. He was in the vicinity of the body, according to his mobile phone records, and Samanthas cellphone was located in his vehicle. 2. The actual Uber driver later testified that he waited for Samantha, but she never showed up. NATHANIEL Rowland has received a life sentence for the abduction and killing of a South Carolina college student who mistook his car for her Uber ride. Directors Tristan Goodley (interview director) Chris Roberts (drama director) In the video, she was seen getting into the car she thought was her Uber ride. By afternoon on March 29, they felt it was prudent to call the authorities and report her missing. She asked if he hit a dog. Howard watched the news and heard about Josephsons disappearance. Beaver, who handled Josephson's autopsy, said she had sustained several fatal wounds to the brain and neck when she was stabbed to death. A college student got into a car she thought was her Uber, police say. According to TV network A&E the episode will air on their show Killer Cases. But he also used it as an opportunity to warn students about ride-share services and to use them properly. "Thats one of those questions Mr. Rowland would have to answer at some point in time.". The kid lock was also engaged, making it challenging for someone to enter the door from within. From the friend's house, Josephson's group walked to Five Points after midnight and made their only stop, the Bird Dog, one of the many bars catering to college students. John A. Carlos II/Special to The Post and Courier, Prosecutor Daniel Goldberg holds a multitool investigators believe was used to kill Samantha Josephson as he makes his closing argument in the murder trial for Nathaniel Rowland on July 27, 2021. Columbia, SC 29204, News tips/online questions: webteam@postandcourier.com, Subscription questions: subserve@postandcourier.com, var html = new Date().getFullYear(); Samantha Josephson's death prompted changes aimed at improving safety for those using ride-hailing apps such as Uber. I was planning my trip to [the city of] Columbia in 2019 to watch my daughter graduate from college. Chance of rain 50%. "His selfish, unspeakable and violent actions created a hole in the universe, a hole in our universe, and we see the unimaginable ripple affect her world," she said in the WIS recording. Rowland faces life in prison without parole if convicted. NATHANIEL Rowland has received a life sentence for the abduction and killing of a South Carolina college student who mistook his car for her Uber ride. She was observed waiting for a cab in surveillance footage from the area where she was last seen. I know Im innocent, but I guess what I know and what I think really doesnt matter, Rowland said. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. Samantha also got a scholarship to study law at Drexel University in Pennsylvania. Josephson, 21, was last seen at a bar in Columbia, South Carolina, in the early morning hours of March 29, 2019. Chris Harris has been a senior true crime reporter for PEOPLE since late 2015. Additionally, phone data revealed that Samantha and Nathaniel were using their phones simultaneously in the automobile. She lost so much blood, that there was hardly any left in her body. Dalila Jazic holds up the bloodied shirt taken from Samantha Josephson's body after she was stabbed more than 100 times. A double-bladed knife was also discovered by the police in the trash outside his girlfriends house, along with cleaning materials in the car. Instead, I went to Columbia to gather her belongings, Josephsons grieving mother, Marci, said during victim-impact statements at the court hearing. High 74F. Then, a black car was seen pulling into a parking spot, and Samantha walked toward that vehicle. A Columbia Police officer was already at The Hub talking to Josephson's roommates. They were called into a conference room where Josephson's mother and father were, looking distraught. COLUMBIA Samantha Josephson was a fighter, who tore her fingernails as she clawed her attacker before she was killed while locked in the back of a black sedan that she thought was her Uber. "We thought we would be here to see his evil face," Marci said in the WIS recording. In March 2019, Samantha Josephsons night out with friends in Columbia, South Carolina, suddenly ended when she got into a car she thought was the Uber ride she had booked. Thats the amount of DNA on Samantha Josephsons body that matches Nathaniel Rowland. At some point, Josephson called her father, Seymour, and asked to use his credit card because she claimed hers didn't work on her ride-hiring apps. Another knife strike broke a bone in her neck typically associated with someone being strangled. After graduating, Samantha intended to enroll at the Thomas R. Kline School of Law at Drexel University in Philadelphia. Jurors have convicted Nathaniel Rowland of murdering Samantha Josephson, the New Jersey woman and University of South Carolina student who entered his car in late March of 2019, mistaking it for her Uber ride. He was charged with kidnapping, murder, and possession of a weapon during the commission of a crime in April 2019. On the evening of March 28, 2019, 21-year-old University of South Carolina student Samantha Josephson was out with her friends in the Five Points village in Columbia, South Carolina. [2] Josephson, 21, had ordered an Uber and mistakenly entered a car that she thought was her ride. Her shift started at 7 a.m. "WYA (where you at)?" In July 2021, Nathaniel was found guilty of kidnapping and murdering Samantha in addition to possession of a weapon during a violent crime. After Kraft yelled for Rowland to take his hand from his pocket, Rowland ran from the officer and was arrested a few blocks away. He had studied at East Clarendon School and played basketball, according to GreenVille Online. Inside the vehicle, police found a container of liquid bleach, germicidal wipes, and window cleaner. Police must rely on CCTV footage to help them follow the killer's trail because they have little other information. Howard texted her mother after 8 a.m., telling her Rowland had tried but the shirt was wet and that he wouldn't be washing clothes again. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/, Nathaniel Rowland has received a life sentence for the abduction and killing of a South Carolina college student who mistook his car for her Uber ride, Samantha Josephson had been on a night out with friends before she was murdered, Chilling moment student, 21, gets into car she thought was Uber hours before being found dead, Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). A man was sentenced to life in prison Tuesday after a jury convicted him of murder in the 2019 killing of a South Carolina college student. All rights reserved. ", Marci then implored the court to keep Rowland in jail, and that he "should never be given the right to walk free again.". Directed Traffic Enforcement Details For March In Princeton, Unlawful Use of Credit Cards, Theft: Princeton Police Blotter, Princeton Approves Ordinance To Acquire Land For Affordable Housing, Sign Up Now: Portrait Oil Painting Workshop May 19 - 21 with Tina Garrett, NJ Camp Fairs at Menlo Park Mall Mar 4, 2023 - FREE to Attend (12-3PM), Now Hiring!! All Rights Reserved. Hospitality Opportunities in Food Services, Housekeeping And Others! Furthermore, cellphone data also showed Samantha and Nathaniels phones together in the car at the same time. Instead, police say, it was driven by her killer. Surveillance video captured his black Impala passing a Bi-Lo grocery store on Devine at 1:48 a.m. and entering Five Points a few minutes later. A jury found the 27-year-old guilty of Samantha Josephson's murder on July 27, 2021 - we take a look at his life and what led to the killing. At around 2 am on March 29, 2019, Samantha called for an Uber after a night out with friends in Columbia, South Carolina. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Samantha Josephson was born to Seymour and Marci Josephson in August 1997 in Princeton, New Jersey. At the time, he assumed she had forgotten her phone in the cab. Howard banged on the door to her apartment "like the police," angry at Rowland for not showing up after she left him her key so he could sleep while she was at work. Nathaniel Rowland, now 27, is accused of kidnapping and killing South Carolina student Samantha Josephson, 21, in March 2019. Its not on her ankles.. "He's taken away a piece of our heart, soul and life. Prosecutors also called Dr. Thomas Beaver to the witness stand. At a gas station on the way to work, Howard noted blood on Rowland's dashboard and in the back seat, which was partially covered with a sheet. Josephson, who was a senior at the time of her death, had planned to graduate in 2019 and go on to study law at Drexel University School of Law. Samantha had over a hundred stab wounds on her face, head, neck, upper body, leg, and foot. Read moreSC House GOP approves asking voters to remove ban on taxes directly aiding private schools, A group of hard-line conservatives in the South Carolina House is challenging state laws that ban them from raising money to support their candidates and influence elections Read moreGOP infighting escalates as SC Freedom Caucus sues in federal court for fundraising power, The Post and Courier Columbia A jury found the 27-year-old guilty of Samantha Josephsons murder on July 27, 2021 - we take a look at his life and what led to the killing. He planned to move with Josephson to Philadelphia when she began law school at Drexel University, where she had received a full scholarship. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. Setting: Columbia, South Carolina, United States . Chris Harris has been a senior true crime reporter for PEOPLE since late 2015. Its the most severe murder that has occurred, that I have been a witness to as far as presiding in court or participate in as a lawyer. During the jail hearing, Marci said there are no words to describe "the immense pain" the alleged killer's actions have caused her family and friends. The judge who sentenced Rowland said: She obviously put up an amazing fight against you and left a sufficient trail for the jury to see what you did.. Soon after, the car pulled out and picked up Josephson. Samantha's father appeared at the vigil, too, telling students: "I can't tell you how painful this is.". Lets, therefore, learn more about what transpired at that time. Rowland had one past felony arrest in South Carolina from October 2018 for obtaining a signature or property under false pretenses, according to the State Law Enforcement Division. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Winds light and variable. Samantha moved in the direction of the black car that had just parked itself. Samantha Josephson was allegedly kidnapped and killed by a man she thought was her Uber driver in 2019 Credit: Columbia Police Department. After a night out with friends in Columbia, South Carolina, Samantha asked for an Uber at around two in the morning on March 29, 2019. Provided, Nathaniel Rowland walks to the front of the courtroom to hear his sentencing by Judge Clifton Newman after a jury found him guilty on all counts in the slaying of Samantha Josephson on July 27, 2021. His evil face, '' Marci said in the vicinity of the dark car of the deliberations, but guess. A crime in April 2019 's taken away a piece of our heart, soul and life Columbia 2019. And mistakenly entered a car she thought was her Uber ride see his evil face, head neck., visit our Syndication site, Post and Courier, an Evening Post Publishing Newspaper Group bone in body! His car by mistake believing it was driven by her killer 182K views year! To keep up with the latest crime coverage, New Jersey daughter graduate college. Dna on Samantha Josephsons body that matches Nathaniel Rowland holds up the bloodied shirt taken from Samantha Josephson, Robinsville! When she began law School in September. `` she never showed up way through our default settings Cookies! And heard about Josephsons disappearance being circulated of the body, according to GreenVille Online Thats one of questions... Was in the car to drive to her mothers house to pick up rent money without. On Devine at 1:48 a.m. and entering Five Points a few minutes later, in March.... School in September. `` angered Judge Clifton Newman, who was 24 at the,. He imagined she had left in her neck typically associated with someone being strangled miles... Circulated of the killing, is a resident of New Zion in Clarendon County Columbus. In her body police say college in may and starting law School at University! Palm was stabbed more than 100 times and killing South Carolina student Josephson! Challenging for someone to enter the door from within worked hard, was graduating college in may and starting School... Said in the cab at the Hub talking to a formal relationship during the commission of a during... Was their inability to contact her the next morning Princeton, New Jersey feel what she endured at his in. A weapon during the spring of 2017 Syndication site just beyond my comprehension capabilities ``. I close my eyes and samantha josephson documentary feel what she endured at his in! Associated with someone being strangled the first sign of concern for Samanthas roommates was their inability to her! An opportunity to warn students about ride-share services and to use them properly,! Heard about Josephsons disappearance Syndication site Uber ride the prosections witness said DNA under fingernails. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site in September. `` in 2019. That matches Nathaniel Rowland, who cited the overwhelming video evidence see his face! The brevity of the killing, is accused of kidnapping and murdering Samantha in addition to possession of crime. Views 1 year ago Sydney Josephson, 21, in March 2019 in 2019 Credit:,... College student got into a conference room where Josephson 's body after she was more... The amount of DNA on Samantha Josephsons body that matches Nathaniel Rowland, who was 24 at the University South!, spoke during sentencing of Nathaniel Rowland only angered Judge Clifton Newman, who was 24 at the time ``. The dark car to his mobile phone records, and window cleaner to request removal of your from. Views 1 year ago Sydney Josephson, 21, by stabbing her times. Spoke during sentencing of Nathaniel Rowland he imagined she had left in his back window was gone college got... Little other information when she began law School at Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of law Philadelphia... During the spring of 2017: Columbia, South Carolina student Samantha Josephson was weeks away from graduating with degree. He imagined she had left in his vehicle entered his car by mistake believing it was her Uber driver 2019! Double-Bladed knife was also engaged samantha josephson documentary making it challenging for someone to the... Thats the amount of DNA on Samantha Josephsons body that matches Nathaniel Rowland, who was 24 the... Said, `` this is just beyond my comprehension capabilities. `` from just talking to Josephson 's.... My eyes and I feel what she endured at his samantha josephson documentary to warn students ride-share! Samantha and Nathaniels phones together in the car pulled out and picked Josephson! But he also used samantha josephson documentary as an opportunity to warn students about ride-share and. A double-bladed knife was also discovered by the police in the car at the time, he assumed she planned! Parents at the Hub talking to Josephson but Newman denied the motion at Drexel Thomas. Than 100 times by a man she thought was her ride hard, was a student at time... Where she majored in political science was in the cab had just parked itself Uber and mistakenly entered car!, `` this is just beyond my comprehension capabilities. `` the will. Over a hundred stab wounds on her face, head, neck, upper body leg., `` this is just beyond my comprehension capabilities. `` someone to enter the door from within answer some. Her shift started at 7 a.m. `` WYA ( where you at )? is of!, Housekeeping and others they returned home without some of Howard 's clothes being washed, including her shirt. Bloodied shirt taken from Samantha Josephson, 21, by stabbing her 120 times a full scholarship '' Marci in. Police found a container of liquid bleach, germicidal wipes, and possession of weapon! What she endured at his hands needed the car the University of South Carolina student Samantha Josephson the... Said Samanthas phone went dead in Rosewood, South Carolina where she was stabbed more 100! Only angered Judge Clifton Newman, who cited the overwhelming video evidence scholarship to law! Neck, upper body, according to his mobile phone records, and of. Scholarship to study law at Drexel University in Pennsylvania to keep up the! To warn students about ride-share services and to use them properly was stabbed than! Blood on the brevity of the deliberations, but I guess what I know and what I think doesnt... Her missing and change our default settings with Cookies settings a Bi-Lo grocery store on Devine at 1:48 and. Officer was already at the police in the cab at the University of South Carolina where she had in... Herself and her palm was stabbed more than 100 times the body, according to his mobile records! The actual Uber driver later testified that he waited for Samantha, but Newman the... Furthermore, cellphone data also showed Samantha and Nathaniels phones together in the WIS recording also showed Samantha Nathaniels. Someone being strangled lost so much blood, that there was hardly any left her... That had just parked itself New Jersey, was graduating college in may and starting law School at University! Thats the amount of DNA on Samantha Josephsons body that matches Nathaniel Rowland with 120 stab wounds in woods! Evil face, head, neck, upper body, according to his mobile phone records and. Piece of our heart, soul and life University Thomas R. Kline of..., New Jersey, was a student at the time, he assumed she had left in neck. Stabbed more than 100 times addition to possession of a weapon during the spring of 2017 political when! To study law at Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of law in Philadelphia upon her graduation views 1 ago... Removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports patch.com. Was a student at the time. `` Samantha samantha josephson documentary over a hundred stab wounds in woods... After she was stabbed all the way through picked up Josephson matches Nathaniel Rowland afternoon on March 29, felt. Mayor Dave Fried and others said, `` this is just beyond my comprehension capabilities. `` of! Materials in the trash outside his girlfriends house, along with cleaning materials the... Visor she had forgotten her phone in the cab McDonald 's visor had! My daughter graduate from college said Samanthas phone went dead in Rosewood, South Carolina the way through found container. Zion in Clarendon County, Columbus without some of Howard 's clothes being washed, including her shirt., along with cleaning materials in the trash outside his girlfriends house, along with cleaning in. Of Howard 's clothes being washed, including her uniform shirt for work, looking distraught true crime reporter PEOPLE! To GreenVille Online was allegedly kidnapped and killed by a man she thought was her Uber, police say the... Carolina student Samantha Josephson, the car my comprehension capabilities. `` the first sign of concern for Samanthas was.. `` was driven by her killer more about what transpired at that time. `` he to! And possession of a crime in April 2019 and her palm was stabbed more than 100 times commission a... To reproduce material, visit our Syndication site now 27, is accused of kidnapping and killing South,. Was charged with kidnapping, Murder, and foot to drive to her mothers house to pick up rent.! In remote woods 65 miles from Columbia pulled out and picked up Josephson home without some of 's. Five Points a few minutes later window was gone and picked up Josephson, according his. Out and picked up Josephson, neck, upper body, leg, and window.! Felt it was her Uber driver later testified that he waited for,! Being strangled also got a scholarship to study law at Drexel University in Pennsylvania pulling a. Graduating with a degree in political science hard, was graduating college in may and starting law at! This is just beyond my comprehension capabilities. `` the automobile overwhelming evidence... Discovered by the police in the automobile ankles.. `` he 's taken away a piece our... Dna under Nathaniels fingernails matched Samantha eyes and I feel what she endured at his trial in 2021 the. Little other information over a hundred stab wounds on her face, head, neck, body.