USC student allegedly murdered by man she thought was her Uber driver

Police said they have charged a man in the murder and kidnapping of a University of South Carolina student Samantha Josephson who went missing early Friday after mistakenly getting into a car she thought was her Uber ride.

The young woman’s devastated father, Seymour Josephson wrote in a message on Facebook: “I will miss and love my baby girl for the rest of life. Samantha is no longer with us but she will not be forgotten.”

“It is extremely hard to write this and post it but I love her with all my heart. I could continue to write about her but it kills me. I sit here and cry while looking at the picture and write this,” her father continued.

The 21-year-old went missing in Columbia, S.C., early on Friday, and on Saturday morning USC’s president confirmed that the senior political science major is dead.

“It is with the heaviest of hearts that I write these words this morning. Our prayers are with the family and friends of Samantha Josephson following the devastating news of her death,” wrote USC president Harris Pastides in a statement.

Samantha, originally from, Robinsville, N.J., had been out with friends.

And they saw her get into a black Chevy Impala she believed was her Uber. However, it wasn’t and her actual driver cancelled when she missed her pickup.

Samantha was last seen at around 2 a.m. on Friday, when she was leaving after a night out with a group of friends in the Five Points area.

Throughout Friday, Samantha’s friends and family were unable to get in touch with her and an urgent search was launched.

Surveillance images released by the Columbia Police Department show the student before she disappeared.

#CPDSCInvestigates | Missing Person Alert: 21-year-old Samantha Josephson was last seen by friends at 715 Harden St. b/w 1:30 & 2:00 this morning. Loved ones have not been able to make contact with her since. They’re worried about her well-being & safety. pic.twitter.com/PITpUh1eUh

— Columbia Police Dept (@ColumbiaPDSC) March 30, 2019

She is seen wearing an orange shirt and black pants, and talking on the phone.

Cont’d: Here’s another picture of Josephson when she was last seen on Harden Street talking on the phone. Pay close attention to what she was wearing early this a.m. Call @MidlandsCrime at 1-888-CRIME-SC w/your helpful tips regarding her whereabouts. pic.twitter.com/PZSokgwFYN

— Columbia Police Dept (@ColumbiaPDSC) March 30, 2019

Surveillance cameras also captured images of the car she got into by mistake, a black Chevy Impala.

Cont’d: Special Victims Unit investigators believe that shortly after 2:00 a.m., Josephson was seen getting into this newer model Chevy Impala along Harden Street. Family & friends have been trying to locate her ever since. Again, call @MidlandsCrime 1-888-CRIME-SC w/your tips. pic.twitter.com/3211Wjx6PK

— Columbia Police Dept (@ColumbiaPDSC) March 30, 2019

Police said Saturday, Samantha’s body was found by hunters in a rural Clarendon County, S.C., Friday afternoon.

News Conference On Samantha Josephson Investigation https://t.co/PvfVmd74X9

— Columbia Police Dept (@ColumbiaPDSC) March 30, 2019

Around 3 a.m. Saturday, police said, an officer pulled over a black, Chevy Impala. The suspect tried to  tried to make a break for it on foot but was caught. The cop also found what appeared to be blood in the car.

Nathaniel Rowland, 24, has been charged with murder and kidnapping.

The investigation regarding USC student Samantha Josephson is now a homicide case. Her body was found by hunters in rural Clarendon Co. late yesterday afternoon. Suspect Nathaniel Rowland has been charged w/ Murder & Kidnapping by SLED. Agents have been an integral part in case. pic.twitter.com/2tj8TVRAex

— Columbia Police Dept (@ColumbiaPDSC) March 30, 2019

— With files from Postmedia

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