Police believe that a 21-year-old college student was murdered after she got into a car that she thought was an Uber she had ordered to take her home. Samantha Josephson, who was a senior at the University of South Carolina, was last seen getting into a black Chevrolet Impala early Friday (March 29) morning. When her friends woke up and had not heard from Josephson, they called the police to report her missing.
Later that day a pair of turkey hunters found her body in a field about 90 miles from where she was abducted. Officials have not released how she was killed.
Authorities were able to track down the car using surveillance videos and pulled the driver over around 3 a.m. on Saturday. The driver, identified as 24-year-old Nathaniel D. Rowland, tried to flee on foot but was taken into custody following a brief chase.
Investigators found blood in his car which matched the victim, along with her cell phone. They also found liquid bleach, a bottle of window cleaner, and germicidal wipes. Officials say that he activated the child locks in the car, which prevented Josephson from opening the door and escaping the vehicle.
Rowland was taken to Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center and is facing charges of murder and kidnapping.
Photo: Columbia Police Department