An award-winning journalist who has worked forRolling Stone and MTV News, Chris enjoys prog rock, cycling, Marvel movies, IPAs, and roller coasters. 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. He said the woman who vanished from Columbia, S.C., on March 29, 2019, after getting into a car she'd mistaken for her Uber ride lost so much blood in the fatal attack, he had difficulty collecting a blood sample from her body. When Miss Howard saw a news report about Samantha Josephsons disappearance, and saw a video of her boyfriends car, she knew what had happened, but she was afraid to call the police. Murder victim Samantha Josephson, 21, was stabbed around 120 times in her horrific March 2019 death, according to Monday testimony from a forensic pathologist. Among a number of stab wounds in her flank area, one actually went into the lung, he said. The Tragic Murder Of Samantha Josephson Explained. Mr. Rowland started running but was caught two blocks away. There was no sign of a struggle at that location where she was found. She had been dumped not far from the home of the parents of the 27-year-old black man Nathaniel Rowland who would be charged with her murder. Cell phone towers tracked both Josephsons and Mr. Rowlands phones, which traveled together for 20 minutes before her phone turned off at 2:33 a.m. Rowlands phone was traced to the Rosewood neighborhood of Columbia, where his sister lives. He could not say for certain that she was not strangled, however, he said. During the attack, Josephson attempted to shield herself. The State newspaper reported that Columbia Police Chief Skip Holbrook told reporters after a Saturday night press conference that a woman was in the car at the time of Rowland's arrest, and she was cooperating with police. Over and over and over, fighting for her life, locked in his car." Howard also testified that she saw Rowland using bleach to clean the car, and later saw him cleaning a knife. Officers say Samantha Josephson, a University of South Carolina student, was killed by 24-year-old Nathaniel David Rowland after she mistakenly got into his . Josephsons hyoid bone was also broken, he said. "Robbinsville is a strong, close-knit community and we will continue to find ways to care for and support our students, families, friends, staff, and community members as we hold the Josephson family in our hearts.". A comment since removed that was posted to Mr. Rowlands Facebook page after his arrest, says as much. After the burial, the Josephson family will sit Shiva, then visiting hours will be on Thursday after 3 p.m. and Sunday starting at 12 p.m. at the family's house. Josephson had spent the night before her death in the Five Points district in downtown Columbia with friends. Miss Howard noticed that the car smelled of chlorine, and she saw a bottle of bleach in the car. [16] An autopsy showed that she died of multiple sharp force injuries. The bag also contained blue surgical gloves, a shirt, and a pair of pants that had DNA from both people, and paper towels that tested positive for Josephsons blood. Nathaniel Rowland used childproof locks to prevent Josephson from leaving the vehicle and kidnapped and murdered her, leaving her body near New Zion, South Carolina 65 miles (105 km) from Columbia, where she had entered Rowland's car. 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. Victim. Josephson was murdered in the early hours of March 29, 2019 by twenty-four year old Nathan Rowland after getting into his vehicle which . She told them everything she had seen. Samantha Josephson Was Stabbed 120 Times, Pathologist Testifies Crime College Student Who Mistook Suspect's Car for Her Uber Was Stabbed 120 Times: Pathologist Samantha Josephson lost so. Despite this list, Josephsons body was neither taped nor burned. Samantha Josephson was born in Princeton, but grew up in Robbinsville, New Jersey. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? ", Marci then implored the court to keep Rowland in jail, and that he "should never be given the right to walk free again.". Specifically, the law requires companies to issue two "credential placards" to drivers of ride-share vehicles. [26][18], On July 27, 2021, Rowland was found guilty of kidnapping and murdering Josephson and of possessing a weapon during a violent crime after the jury deliberated for a little over an hour. An Uber customer gets a photo of his driver, but Josephsons driver that night was a black man of the same build as the killer. The toe straps were broken off, but her sandals were still attached to her ankles. [17] The car also contained Josephson's phone[25] as well as a large amount[16] of her blood, which was in the passenger seat and in the trunk. A forensic scientist testified Friday that DNA found under the fingernails of the South Carolina man accused of killing New Jersey native Samantha Josephson, who mistook his car for her Uber ride . We will probably never know. Seymour Josephson, the father of murder victim Samantha, explained how he is ensuring rideshare safety through a mobile app to prevent the tragic death of his daughter from happening to someone else. Maam, Im not going to hear any claims of innocence, he said. Additionally, companies must give ride-share drivers two barcodes that passengers can scan to confirm the driver's identity. Hours later, hunters found her body", "Family, friends remember Samantha Josephson, murdered after mistaking her killer's car for Uber", "Slain University of South Carolina student died from multiple sharp force injuries, authorities say", "Jury soon will decide whether Nathaniel Rowland kidnapped, killed Samantha Josephson", "Both sides rest in trial of man charged with killing USC student Samantha Josephson", "Expert at SC murder trial: USC student stabbed more than 100 times", "South Carolina man charged with kidnapping, killing N.J. woman bound for Drexel law school", "Suspect in USC student's killing linked to another crime", "New charge filed in kidnapping, killing of USC student Samantha Josephson", "Man convicted of killing woman who mistook his car for Uber", "Fake Uber Driver Accused Of Killing Student Linked To Another Kidnapping", "Suspect in the murder, kidnapping of Samantha Josephson denied bond", "Store owner testifies that Nathaniel Rowland tried to sell him an iPhone after Samantha Josephson's disappearance", "Nathaniel Rowland gets life in prison for murdering USC student Samantha Josephson", "About Foundation | #WHATSMYNAME FOUNDATION | Samantha Josephson", "Three words to help avoid the tragedy of mistaking a killer's car for your Uber", "Slain USC student Samantha Josephson is namesake of ride-share law proposed in US Congress", "2019-2020 Bill 4380: Samantha L. Josephson Ridesharing Safety Act", "Samantha L. Josephson Ridesharing Safety Act", "North Carolina ridesharing bill makes it to governor's desk", "NC HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PASSES PASSENGER PROTECTION ACT", "After rideshare scares, NC lawmakers sign Passenger Protection Act into law", "Senator Anna M. Kaplan Introduces Samantha L. Josephson Ridesharing Safety Act Following Tragedy in South Carolina", "After homicide, NJ's ride-share safety bill closer to becoming national law", "H.R.3262 - 116th Congress (2019-2020): Sami's Law", "House passes 'Sami's Law,' ride-share safety bill named for slain USC student Samantha Josephson", "Killing of South Carolina student who mistook car for Uber prompts rideshare-safety campaign", "University of South Carolina awards posthumous degree to Samantha Josephson, who died after getting into wrong car", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Murder_of_Samantha_Josephson&oldid=1132738963, This page was last edited on 10 January 2023, at 09:08. Her father's name is Seymour Josephson and her mother's name is Marci Josephson. Probably, we are not supposed to know. New Jersey native Samantha Josephson, 21, was killed by Nathaniel Rowland after she mistakenly got into his car after a night of drinking in Columbia in 2019, prosecutors told the jury, according . "Her dream was my dream and her death was my death," Samantha's mom Marci Josephson told the judge. He described parallel marks on the side of her face, noting they were post-mortem because they were yellow and waxy looking. They haven't saidwhy he allegedlyreturned to the Five Points area? His language is often obscure. Prosecutors also rested their case Monday after calling. He faces up to life in prison if he is convicted of kidnapping and murder in the March 2019 killing of 21-year-old Samantha Josephson. During the trial, his girlfriend said he described the area where he picked up Josephson as lit, meaning that it was active and exciting. Why, to put it bluntly, didnt he rape Josephson? [17] When Rowland, who was driving around the Five Points area where Josephson was kidnapped, was pulled over he got out of the car and ran away. Markings on her face were consistent with being dragged. Rowland was charged with obtaining goods under false premises. Rowland also stabbed Josephson in her head with enough force that the knife went through her skull to her brain. Note the black fist. In the year 2015, while studying Political Science, she met her boyfriend . Every speck of evidence led to you. The judge added that this was the most severe murder he had seen, and that leniency was not part of his DNA. During cross-examination, the defense suggested Josephson had what they described as offensive wounds on her knuckles. Mr. Rowlands defense had weak closing arguments. The child safety lock was on. Perhaps most importantly: We don't know what allegedly prompted Rowland to attack Josephson so violently. . During re-direct, he said she might have hit items in the car such as the door or window. The South Carolina student mistakenly got into the back seat of Nathaniel Rowland's Black Impala, believing it was her Uber driver. I close my eyes and I feel what she endured at his hands, 120 times, over and over and over, fighting for her life, locked in his car . The South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) released the cause of death and autopsy results for Samantha Josephson, a University of South Carolina student allegedly killed by 24-year-old Nathaniel Rowland, after getting into his car early Friday morning. A forensic pathologist goes over the autopsy report of Amy Mullis. She was stabbed with both the double and single blades. Prosecutors admitted they never identified a motive for the gruesome attack and believe "it was absolutely a random act of violence.". The ride-share industry has also implemented changes, like clearer displays of driver license plates, following Josephson's death. He said, Mind your business.. They all go to Five Points together. She attended the University of South Carolina where she majored in political science. Legislation at the federal level is pending. He sentenced Nathaniel Rowland to life in prison. She suffered more than 120 stab wounds and bled to death. On the GoFundMe page, fellow Robbinsville classmates and friends expressed their shock. The act also introduced criminal charges and penalties for people who pose as rideshare drivers. The murder of Samantha Josephson, a student at University of South Carolina, in Columbia, South Carolina, occurred on March 29, 2019. She bled profusely, ultimately dying within 10-20 minutes, according to the pathologist who conducted an autopsy on her body. When examining the victim's back, she observed six puncture marks and explains why she feels the victim was stabbed at least twice, if not three times. It is popular with white University of South Carolina students, and the surveillance videos show many young whites there. As reported by WYFF4, authorities noted the doors and windows on Rowland's vehicle were outfitted with child safety mechanisms, which likely made it impossible for anyone to exit the vehicle unless they were disengaged by the driver. Instead, I went to Colombia to gather her belongings. Samantha Josephson had just a little more than a tablespoon of blood in her body after the attack, making it difficult for workers at her autopsy to collect enough blood for routine testing.. She was never seen alive again. Both sides have rested their case in the trial of the man charged with killing University of South Carolina student Samantha Josephson. Phil Murphy also signed legislation, which is referred to as "Sami's Law," that requires rideshare drivers to provide and display identification information. Boojee, for example, from bourgeois, means too white, rich, or upper class. "We thought we would be here to see his evil face," Marci said in the WIS recording. "The door was locked. < Grammy Awards Show to Make Diversity Part of the Contract, Being White on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Annual 2023 Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King, Jr. Day History Quiz, President Bidens Insulting Prisoner Exchange, How to Stop Blacks from Shooting Each Other. #FakeUberMurderTrial The defendants DNA was not found under the victims fingernails HOWEVER we just learned that the victims DNA was found under the defendants fingernails. Just days before New Jersey native Marci Josephson will bury her daughter, Samantha, she had just one question for the alleged killer: Marci then let anyone who could hear that she and her family are grieving, they're stunned, they're shocked and they're terribly angry that anyone could kill somebody they affectionately called "sweet pea.". According to TV network A&E the episode will air on their show Killer Cases. But the victims DNA was allegedly found under Rowlands fingernails. The Wrong Car: Shocking Details Of Samantha Josephson's Alleged Murder. [12] She earned a full scholarship to Drexel University, as well as a partial scholarship to Rutgers[13] and aspired to practice international law. None," Seymour said in the CBS3 video shown below. She had stab wounds from head to toe. The presiding judge, Clifton Newman, was black, and several of the jurors were black. In April 2019, Senator Anna Kaplan introduced the Samantha L. Josephson Ridesharing Safety Act, to the New York Senate. Nothing about her identity, relationship to Rowland or circumstances has been released. Nipsey Hussle probably knew how to . He detailed Josephsons horrifying wounds, noting those that those would have been delivered when she was alive. Thats one of those questions Mr. Rowland would have to answer at some point in time.. In addition to identification markers in the front and rear windows, the State of New Jersey reports rideshare drivers must display a barcode, which riders can scan to identify the correct vehicle. Josephsons roommates called him the next morning, saying she had not come home, so he drove two hours to Columbia to look for her. April 2, 2019 Examined May 03 4:31 13:00 11:16 11:44 13:58 May 25 11:45 7:42 7:31 8:01 7:41 5:33 Oct 30 Rowland is accused of kidnapping and killing University of South Carolina student Samantha Josephson in March of 2019. In this case, there was none of this, not even a psychiatric evaluation of the killer. (Source: Handout/WACH via FOX Edge) Gipson said . After she came home from work, Miss Howard saw Mr. Rowland wearing blue surgical gloves and cleaning his car with wipes. Josephsons autopsy also revealed the extent of her blood lossthe human body normally has several litres of blood, but Josephson's body only contained 20 millilitres (0.70impfloz; 0.68USfloz). The car she got into went in the opposite direction of her apartment - and she wasn't. NJ judge orders recount in Trenton City Council runoff won by 1 vote, Bed Bath & Beyond close to bankruptcy: Which NJ stores are left, Mercer County, NJ hiking trails closed for hunting on these days, 4th person sentenced to prison for violent Trenton, NJ riot, Robber off the streets forever after shooting NJ woman in neck and head, Equal Employment Opportunity Policy and EEO Report. Before you get in the car, check that license plate, driver photo, and driver name all match what's listed in the app.". Many posts include a white bunny, such as this selfie taken in his car. The judge said the case was the "most severe" murder he had seen in court before. Seymour Josephson said. Many of the wounds, especially those in her right neck and right shoulder, were close together, most likely resulting from being rapidly inflicted stab wounds. The images are of black women, but there are suggestions that Mr. Rowland was interested in white women. ': Brian Walshe Dismembered Wife Ana's Body and Made Incriminating Internet Searches, Prosecutor Says, Police Use Taser to Arrest John Deere Tractor-Driving Suspect Who Led Police on Slow-Speed Chase in North Carolina, Derek Chauvin's Lawyer Asks Appeals Court to Toss Murder Convictions, Citing 'Overwhelmingly Hostile' Media Coverage, Lonely Nerd Who Allegedly Attempted to Seduce a Minor Online Busted in Undercover Sting Operation, Accused Kidnapper Used Fake Name When Dating Victim, Who Then Discovered He Was Married: Deputies, Pro-Trump Twitter Troll Loses First Amendment Challenge Against Election Interference Charges, READ: Newly Unsealed Bryan Kohberger Warrant Reddish/Brown Stain Found in Accused Killers Home. He has no known criminal record of similar violence. He knew the route from the Bird Dog to her home; he had taken it many times himself. A child safety seat was also found in the back seat and the child safety door locks were locked. [45][46] Josephson's death promoted the University of South Carolina to launch a campaign titled "What's My Name" to help students stay safe while using ride-sharing services. "Her dream was my dream and her death was my death," Samantha's mom Marci Josephson told the judge. According to surveillance footage, at 2:09, a black Chevrolet Impala, driven by Rowland, pulled up beside her. She had gotten into a car thinking it was her Uber, police said.. She would have graduated in June and planned to attend Drexel University School of Law. A phone tech from Cellular City testified that a man came to his shop that night, wanting to sell a rose gold iPhone 7 Plus for $300. ", "If there's somebody else in the car, she actually has a chance.". Strangulation will break it, but Beaver suggested a stab wound damaged Josephsons hyoid bone. It was almost as if the team had decided the case was hopeless, so the black woman might as well get some experience. And hopefully putting pressure on Uber and Lyft." She tried to sow doubt by saying that Mr. Rowland had run from the police because the officer shouted, Are you crazy? and not because he was guilty. She was never able to get back outdue to the child locks already in place, according to prosecutor Bryon Gipson's opening statement . In the videos, Josephson is standing by herself on the sidewalk in front of the busy restaurant, talking on her phone, as Mr. Rowlands car drives past her and pulls into a parking space to turn around. "Educating, getting that out. Anastasia Katz, American Renaissance, August 6, 2021. [27] According to Richland County deputies, hours after the alleged kidnapping Rowland sold some of the items stolen from the woman, including the Playstation 4, at a pawn shop. And it was two days after Samantha got into the wrong car - allegedly Rowland's vehicle - that she mistakenly thought was her Uber ride. A chilling video also shows when Samantha Josephson entered the car: Over the weekend, the family was letting people know that they're not through, that they will work to honor Samantha's memory since the 21-year-old University of South Carolina student, unlike the alleged killer, had "purpose in her life. The pathologist could not determine an exact number of wounds because there were so many. He had studied at East Clarendon School and played basketball, according to GreenVille Online. Robbinsvile officials also took time out to salute the family, noting that her father, Seymour, "was like a big brother" to people when they played baseball together. Police in Columbia, S.C. released a video of 21-year-old Samantha Josephson getting into a car she mistook for her Uber ride before her 2019 death. The 21-year-old's body was found with over 100 violent stab wounds in a remote field . A Chevy Impala rolls up, and. The real driver testified at trial that when he showed up, she wasnt there. The officer said, Get your hands out of your pockets. Investigators say Samantha got into a vehicle she believed was an Uber she called for a ride home. Seymour and his family say they're going to work to let people know about ride-share service safety, saying they don't want anything like what happened to Samantha to happen to anyone else. Her boyfriend Greg Corbishly was not with her that night, but she kept in touch by calling and texting. There was so little blood left in her body that the pathologist performing the autopsy barely had enough for routine testing. Although there will not be an entire show dedicated to the murder of Samantha Josephson there will be an entire episode feature about the case. Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. "Sami, a 2015 Robbinsville High School graduate, was a vibrant young woman with an infectious smile and a contagious laugh. 1534 Pennington Rd. The image of Samantha fighting for her life has haunted her parents for the past 28 months. Uber added new safety features to the rideshare app after the killing. Samantha decides she's ready to go home around 2:00 a.m. on the morning of the 29th, and she contacts an Uber. After all these years, why it is that we even bother with DNA testing? she asked. 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.
