Im almost confused. Here is the recording of Marci as she spoke at the hearing; the story continues below the video: The Robbinsville family did it as they also planned a funeral that will be held on Wednesday at 12 p.m., with services at Congregation Beth Chaim at 329 Village Rd. Among a number of stab wounds in her flank area, one actually went into the lung, he said. He sentenced Nathaniel Rowland to life in prison. 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. Miss Josephsons body was discovered that day by hunters in the woods of New Zion. He said, Mind your business.. Rowland was charged with murder and kidnapping on Saturday after he returned to the Five Points area. 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 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. [12] She earned a full scholarship to Drexel University, as well as a partial scholarship to Rutgers[13] and aspired to practice international law. 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. 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. Miss Howard drove while Mr. Rowland sat in the passenger seat, cleaning a multi-tool that had two knife blades. As her boyfriend drove her to work, Miss Howard noticed dried blood on the dashboard and the back seat. Columbia, South Carolina police said Josephson got into a black Chevrolet Impala she thought was her Uber ride early Friday morning after leaving the Bird Dog bar in the city's Five Points area. She no longer went partying with him, she said, because she was working double shifts at McDonalds to support the daughter they had together. Instead of the seemingly competent white woman who gave the opening statement, a black woman handled the close. In this case, there was none of this, not even a psychiatric evaluation of the killer. For many blacks, a white bunny or a snow bunny is a white woman who is interested in blacks. Samantha Josephson's last known image, as she is waiting for her Uber. 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. But the victims DNA was allegedly found under Rowlands fingernails. This is what one would expect to see if someone were trying to defend themselves from a stabbing, the forensic pathologist said. Following Samantha's death, South Carolina lawmakers . Cameras also caught a sheet tied to the drivers side headrest. Josephsons hyoid bone was also broken, he said. Tragically, Samantha Josephson, will never be able to ask herself those questions, again, as the University of South Caroline student was murdered, allegedly by the driver of a car she mistook. [16] An autopsy showed that she died of multiple sharp force injuries. Instead, she found herself trapped because Rowland had the childproof locks on, investigators said. After all these years, why it is that we even bother with DNA testing? she asked. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Josephson was murdered in the early hours of March 29, 2019 by twenty-four year old Nathan Rowland after getting into his vehicle which . 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. Josephsons father tearfully said that the loss of his daughter was so terrible he considered suicide several times. Additionally, it provides $500,000 in grants for colleges to educate students about ride-share safety and creates a study commission to examine ways to improve ride-share safety. 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. At one point, he went the wrong way down a one-way street. Perhaps most importantly: We don't know what allegedly prompted Rowland to attack Josephson so violently. Samantha Josephsons DNA was found on his bandana, shoes, and socks, and under his fingernails. Jul 21, 2021. His face was not clear because he pulled his jacket up to cover his nose and mouth. Josephson, a New Jersey native, hopped into Rowland's car after a night out in Columbia's Five Points entertainment district, assuming he would take her back to her apartment, prosecutors said.. During the sentencing, her devastated mom Marci Josephson said: Her dreams were my dreams, and her death was my death. Her death has inspired action from state lawmakers, who filed legislation soon after her killing requiring all ride-share vehicles to display an illuminated sign featuring their company's name. [2] Josephson, 21, had ordered an Uber and mistakenly entered a car that she thought was her ride. Instead, I went to Colombia to gather her belongings. Mr. Rowland was sitting in his car alone when police found his vehicle at about 2:30 a.m. June 28, 2022 In March 2019, Samantha Josephson's 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. A Chevy Impala rolls up, and. USC also asked students to pledge use caution when using ridesharing services by making sure any vehicles picking them up match the descriptions given in the services' app, and by asking for the drivers' names. Prior to that, Dr. Thomas Beaver took the witness stand, telling jurors Josephson, 21, sustained several fatal wounds to the brain and neck when she was stabbed to death on March 29, 2019. After less than two hours of deliberation, the jury found Nathaniel Rowland guilty of all three charges. Her arguments made no sense. Amid their investigation into Josephson's disappearance, authorities obtained CCTV footage of the USC student waiting for a ride and eventually getting into a black Chevrolet Impala. In May 2019, legislators in South Carolina passed the Samantha L. Josephson Ridesharing Safety Act. [14] Josephson is buried at the Perrineville Jewish Cemetery in Perrineville, New Jersey. A noon funeral was set for Wednesday at Congregation Beth Chaim, 329 Village Road East in the Princeton Junction section of West Windsor. . They also wanted to let people know who Samantha was, a "bubbly, loving, kind" woman who was "full of life, a University of South Carolina senior who "had a plan. Samantha Josephson was allegedly kidnapped and killed by a man she thought was her Uber driver in 2019 Credit: Columbia Police Department 5 Security footage shows the moment Samantha got into the car Credit: PA The university student had reportedly been out with her friends in Columbia's Five Point Entertainment district. The toe straps were broken off, but her sandals were still attached to her ankles. Josephson's body was found hours after she was last seen, 65 miles away in New Zion, SC off a rural dirt road, an area police said was "known" to the man they say drove the car she entered, Nathaniel David Rowland. 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. Trenton, NJ Samantha L. Josephson ROBBINSVILLE Samantha L. Josephson, 21, passed away Friday March 29, 2019. "I am completely devastated and am praying for her family.". Instead, police say, it was driven by her killer. 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. Refresh Your Dated Kitchen Cabinets And Save 75%, 9 NJ Hospitals Among Top 250 In New National Rankings, $3.5M For Small Businesses In Mercer Co. The Clarendon County Coroner on Monday released a cause for Josephson of death as "multiple sharp force injuries" for Samantha Josephson following an autopsy. 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. She left a bar at 2am and had ordered an Uber home, and mistakenly got into Rowlands car thinking it was her ride. The Clarendon County Coroner on Monday released a cause for Josephson of death as multiple sharp force injuries for Samantha Josephson following an autopsy. None," Seymour said in the CBS3 video shown below. [10] She attended the University of South Carolina (USC), where she majored in political science. How the Samantha Josephson death investigation unfolded April 02, 2019 11:59 AM Lucas Daprile. Many posts include a white bunny, such as this selfie taken in his car. The images are of black women, but there are suggestions that Mr. Rowland was interested in white women. Later that night, surveillance cameras from two ATMs caught a man of the same size and build as Mr. Rowland unsuccessfully trying to withdraw money using what the ATMs detected to be Josephsons bank card. Prosecutors admitted they never identified a motive for the gruesome attack and believe "it was absolutely a random act of violence.". The $35 a college student has in her bank account? Prosecutors also rested their case Monday after calling. Prosecutors, for reasons they did not disclose, did not seek the death penalty. They called the police. [17] Specifically, the pathologist determined that she suffered approximately 120 separate stab wounds. [6][7][8], The killing attracted national attention and led to discussion about the dangers of ridesharing and the importance of ensuring that a rideshare car is being driven by a registered driver prior to entering. 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. [35][36], Also in June 2019, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed Sami's Law, which requires more identification on ride-share vehicles. University of South Carolina student Samantha Josephson was stabbed 120 times, according to chilling testimony provided this week by the pathologist who conducted her autopsy. The sheet over the front seat was surely there to catch blood. Wasn't an issue for my friend who I saw get stabbed to death before a punch was thrown either. Josephson's parents also established the What's My Name foundation, which raises awareness about rideshare safety and encourages providers to enact policies that help riders ensure they are getting into the right car. She had stab wounds from head to toe. Mr. Rowland said, I know Im innocent, but I guess what I know, what I think really doesnt matter. Indeed, Uber, which has declined to comment, has a list of safety tips that advises people: "Get in the right car. The defendants black Chevy Impala drives by, makes a U-turn and drives by again. Inside the vehicle, police found a container of liquid bleach, germicidal wipes, and window cleaner. And hopefully putting pressure on Uber and Lyft." It was later determined Josephson was brutally murdered. Autopsy details released after young woman's wrong-car murder Samantha Josephson, 21, was kidnapped and killed "with multiple sharp force objects" after she got into a car she thought was her Uber, according to police. "The door was locked. Thats one of those questions Mr. Rowland would have to answer at some point in time.. Rowland, who was 24 at the time of the killing, is a resident of New Zion in Clarendon County, Columbus. also brought up the owner of the cell phone store who says Rowland tried to sell him a cell phone the day after Samantha Josephson's . The bill will be named the Samantha L. Josephson Ridesharing Safety Act. At about 2:00 am she decided to leave the Bird Dog bar and ordered an Uber. A stab wound behind her ear, through her skull, and into her brain. But the family was there in Columbia, anyway, and they also attended a vigil at USC later, letting anyone who listened know that they weren't going to let what happened to Samantha happen to anybody else. The child safety lock was on. The prosecution rested their case on Monday. [13], Josephson spent the night before her death in the Five Points district in downtown Columbia with friends. Samantha Josephsons parents established the #WHATSMYNAME Foundation in honor of their daughter, to promote rideshare safety. . Rose said in a message on his Twitter account he is introducing legislation requiring rideshare vehicles to be identified by illuminated signage. All roads led to you, he told Mr. Rowland. 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Man Convicted of Breaking into Home, Murdering 2 Kids and Woman over Facebook Post. Born in Princeton, Samantha graduated from Robbinsville High School in 2015. When she asked why, he said, Mind your business.. 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. Samantha Josephson was born in Princeton, but grew up in Robbinsville, New Jersey. Her body was then found in a field[17] in the town of New Zion in Clarendon County by turkey hunters[21] fourteen hours after the kidnapping. . Forensic pathologist Thomas Beaver testified in the trial of Nathaniel Rowland, the man charged with murder in the death of University of South Carolina stud. The bill would also regulate the sale of official ride-share signage, require a Government Accountability Office (GAO) to report on incidents of assault and abuse of passengers and drivers, and require the GAO to examine the nature and specifics of background checks that are conducted by companies and the state standards of background checks. However, when they asked the man to step out of the vehicle, he fled on foot. As reported by WYFF4, Josephson got separated from her friends, and reportedly contacted Uber for a ride back to her apartment. Then why do we do it? "Thats one of those questions Mr. Rowland would have to answer at some point in time.". Mr. Rowlands shirt was also found in the bag. The foundation works to educate people about ride-share safety, along with supporting charitable foundations and awarding college scholarships. In April 2019, Senator Anna Kaplan introduced the Samantha L. Josephson Ridesharing Safety Act, to the New York Senate. Missing USC student Samantha Josephson was found dead after last being seen . Emailus. Her friends, they think she's taken the Uber, so they return home; When they return to the apartment, Samantha is not there. . And it was two days after Samantha got into the wrong car allegedly Rowland's vehicle that she mistakenly thought was her Uber ride. She was stabbed with both the double and single blades. During the attack, Josephson attempted to shield herself. WHAT WE DON'T KNOW:Several questions remain unanswered -- or their answers remain undisclosed to the public. 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. Her blood was also found on Mr. Rowlands daughters shoes. Surveillance video from a nearby Wendys showed Mr. Rowland in his black Impala that night. Murder victim Samantha Josephson, 21, was stabbed around 120 times in her horrific March 2019 death, according to Monday testimony from a forensic pathologist. He has been convicted by the jury.. The states theory of the case is that Rowland took Josephson from outside of The Bird Dog bar in Columbia, S.C. (Richland County) and discarded her body two miles from his family home in his hometown of New Zion after killing her. On the GoFundMe page, fellow Robbinsville classmates and friends expressed their shock. Tags: power "Her death was my death," Marci Josephson said. I just wish the state would have done more in finding out who the actual person was, instead of being satisfied with detaining me and proving my guilt., Mr. Rowlands mother tried to tell Judge Newman that her son was innocent, but he cut her off. 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.. The University of South Carolina student from Robbinsville, New Jersey, disappeared. Anastasia Katz, American Renaissance, August 6, 2021. I have had to look for motives myself. [24] Inside the car, police found a container of liquid bleach, germicidal wipes, and window cleaner. He testified that the average human has over a gallon of blood in his body, but Josephson had only two tablespoons, making it hard to get a large enough sample even for toxicology tests. Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. No one mentioned his motive during the trial. The carjackers allegedly physically assaulted the victim and then forced her to drive to an ATM where they robbed her of money,[24] before forcing her to drive to her home where they again robbed her of items including a Playstation 4. Rowland is accused of kidnapping and killing University of South Carolina. [22][26][20], Rowland was charged with kidnapping, murder, and possession of a weapon during the commission of a crime. The car she got into went in the opposite direction of her apartment - and she wasn't. "I cannot fathom how someone could randomly select a person, a beautful girl, and steal her life away. [50] Her diploma and college possessions were given to her mother. 5th Circuit SolicitorByron Gipson slightlyunderestimated the total count in opening statements last Tuesday. Nathaniel Rowland, now 27, is accused of kidnapping and killing South Carolina student Samantha Josephson, 21, in March 2019. 1534 Pennington Rd. USC student Samantha Josephson (pictured) - who was murdered after getting into a fake Uber - was stabbed around 120 times and had so little blood left in her body that autopsy workers. They reportedly found Samantha Josephson's cell phone, towels, cleaning products, and "a large amount" of what was later confirmed to be Samantha Josephson's blood. In the year 2015, while studying Political Science, she met her boyfriend . [Image of Samantha Josephson via Columbia Police Department], Have a tip we should know? . Her body as later found with 120 stab wounds in remote woods 65 miles from Columbia. She was found on her back, fully clothed, with her shirt pulled up toward her head. Samantha Josephson was born in 1998 (age 21 years; as in 2019 at the time of death) in Nevada, United States. Shame on him," she said. Several cameras caught the car in motion, as Mr. Rowland circled several times around the Bird Dog, making U-turns, like a shark hunting for prey, as an officer later put it. Dr. Thomas Beaverdetailed the many injuries the victim sustained, allegedly at the hands ofNathaniel David Rowland, 27. A child safety seat was also found in the back seat and the child safety door locks were locked. Pictured, Nathaniel David Rowland and USC student, Samantha Josephson Nathaniel David Rowland arrested in murder & kidnapping of USC student, Samantha Josephson who mistakenly got in car thinking it was her Uber pickup.. A man has been arrested over the murder and kidnap of a University of South Carolina student who mistakenly got into his car thinking it was her Uber after the missing woman . Investigators also found cleaning supplies and a two-bladed knife with Josephsons blood on them after searching the trash can behind Rowlands girlfriend's residence. "Her dream was my dream and her death was my death," Samantha's mom Marci Josephson told the judge. Prosecutors allege that Josephson, a University of South Carolina senior from New Jersey, stepped into the defendants black Chevy Impala outside of a bar on March 29, 2019 thinking the vehicle was her Uber. The South Carolina student mistakenly got into the back seat of Nathaniel Rowland's Black Impala, believing it was her Uber driver. Dr. Thomas Beaver, a forensic pathologist, did the autopsy and found that Josephson had 120 stab wounds, mostly on the right side of her body. [8], After their daughter's death, Josephson's parents established the What's My Name Foundation. On June 5, 2019, the Samantha L. Josephson Ridesharing Safety Act was signed into law in South Carolina. He was not willing to pay $300, so he gave it back. Howard also testified that she saw Rowland using bleach to clean the car, and later saw him cleaning a knife. [25] In addition to Josephsons murder, Rowland is alleged to have sold items that were stolen from a woman during a kidnapping in Columbia. There was no password lock on the phone, and he saw a photo of white woman. Samantha Josephson was separated at some point during the night from her friends in a heavily trafficked area of town. Before you get in the car, check that license plate, driver photo, and driver name all match what's listed in the app.". Her killer got to her first. When she learned she had been accepted to Drexel Law School on a full scholarship, she decided to celebrate at the Bird Dog, a pub in the Five Points night-club area of Columbia. She suffered more than 120 stab wounds and bled to death. Boojee, for example, from bourgeois, means too white, rich, or upper class. At USC, Samantha was majoring in political science, according to her obituary. WYFF4 reports Josephson was reported missing at approximately 1 p.m. by her roommates at The Hub apartment complex, as she never returned home and nobody could reach her by telephone. The area was called 5 Points and was heavily viewed on social media when video surveillance footage began circulating of Josephson getting into a black Chevy Impala around 2am. A stab wound that damaged the hyoid bone in her neck. The Clarendon County, SC coroner determined Monday that Samantha was stabbed to death, saying she had "multiple sharp force injuries" when her body was found on Friday. Hours later, the young woman was found murdered many miles away from where she was last seen. [3], Rowland was arrested the next day, and charged with kidnapping and murdering Josephson. Prosecutors did not choose to seek the death penalty. Rowland was ultimately charged with murder, kidnapping, and possession of a deadly weapon during the commission of a crime. There was no sign of a struggle at that location where she was found. [5] On July 27, the jury found Rowland guilty of Josephson's kidnapping and murder and the judge sentenced him to life in prison. Beaver said that Josephson also sustained wounds to her head, and had defensive-type injuries to a palmnamely, two parallel stab wounds that went through her hand. After she came home from work, Miss Howard saw Mr. Rowland wearing blue surgical gloves and cleaning his car with wipes. Was Mr. Rowland pretending to be an Uber driver? She had absolutely no chance in this. . We've seen crime scene and autopsy pictures. "She was such a sweet and caring girl," the person wrote. Decide for yourself what the target means. "What we have learned is that you cannot, men or women, you guys have to travel together," Seymour Josephson said at a vigil at USC for his daughter. 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. Are new stores coming to Quaker Bridge Mall in NJ? She asked him where he got it, and he said he had found it. Convicted Rapist Who Admitted to Stabbing 69-Year-Old Volunteer Inside Church Bathroom Learns His Fate, He Was Like a Madman: Estranged Husband Allegedly Attacks Wifes Home with Impala and Dump Truck After Learning About Restraining Order Amid Messy Divorce, Unidentified Childs Remains Found as Investigators Search for Missing 4-Year-Old Girl, Family of Lawyer Who Died in Fall From Resort Balcony Says Mexican Authorities Want to Cremate Body, Flo Rida Wins Lawsuit Against Energy Drink Company Celsius, Awarded Damages, 'Can You Identify a Body with Broken Teeth? The Josephson family hugged each other and cried. 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. "[8][31] Newman also characterized Rowland as being "heartless" and said the case was the "most severe" murder he had seen in court before. "We thought we would be here to see his evil face," Marci said in the WIS recording. We're continuing to follow that trial on the death of Samantha Josephson, who prosecutors say mistook Rowland's car for her Uber ride in Five Points. In the dark, she probably couldnt tell them apart. A murder trial is currently underway following the tragic death of Samantha Josephson. The image of Samantha fighting for her life has haunted her parents for the past 28 months. Read more: The Wrong Car: Shocking Details Of Samantha Josephson's Alleged Murder.