No outright motive for the killing was suggested by prosecutors during the course of Rowland's trial but Judge Newman said the killer was "totally heartless". Instead, police say, it was driven by her killer. She might have bled to death in as little as 10-20 minutes after those injuries, a pathologist who conducted her autopsy testified. Instead, she found herself trapped because Rowland had the childproof locks on, investigators said. 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. Samantha Josephson, a native of the Robbinsville Township in New Jersey, was 21 years old. 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. Prosecutors also rested their case Monday after calling. The kid lock was also engaged, making it challenging for someone to enter the door from within. Jurors will be shown security video, cellphone data and a murder weapon that connects Rowland, 27, to the death of the University of South Carolina senior, prosecutors said, according to the report. Shortly after the conviction, Judge Clifton Newman called Rowland "heartless" and sentenced him to life in prison, adding that the decision for him was "easy. Rowland was found guilty on all counts of kidnapping and. One strike punctured her skull and penetrated her brain and another cut a major artery in her neck. Rowland eventually pulled up to the apartment in his black Impala. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Rowland's phone moves back toward Columbia and the cell tower times coincide with bank footage showing him try to use Josephson's ATM card to withdraw money. She was found dead in a field. There were a thousand trails. The young and aspirational woman was a political science major in her senior year at the University of South Carolina. The documentary See No Evil: Rideshare Nightmare on Investigation Discovery details how the police used security camera footage and other proof to identify and apprehend Samanthas killer. Amanda Douglas and Jennifer Lynn Sudar Murders: Where is Quantell Alverson Today? Its not on her ankles.. Testimony, surveillance video and cell phone tower data presented in a week-long trial in Richland County court, which ended July 27, helped complete a picture of the roughly 24 hours from when Josephson disappeared to when Nathaniel Rowland was arrested and charged with her murder. Cell phone records showed that he was in the area where the body was found, and Samanthas cellphone was discovered in his car. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. Nathaniel Rowland has received a life sentence for . She paused before returning to the sidewalk. Nathaniel Rowland, now 27, is accused of kidnapping and killing South Carolina student Samantha Josephson, 21, in March 2019. Her final moments. They believe it could have been as Rowland drove around the Rosewood area. You can follow his daily exploits on Twitter and Instagram. Inside the vehicle, police found a container of liquid bleach, germicidal wipes, and window cleaner. Samantha had over a hundred stab wounds on her face, head, neck, upper body, leg, and foot. After Kraft yelled for Rowland to take his hand from his pocket, Rowland ran from the officer and was arrested a few blocks away. Wreck Season 1 Recap and Ending, Explained, IDs The Murder Tapes Help 712 Ive Been Shot Christopher Hoefling Murder, Lauren Harpe From Survivor 44: Everything We Know, Carolyn Wiger From Survivor 44: Everything We Know, Carson Garrett From Survivor 44: Everything We Know. Later, the genuine Uber driver admitted that he had waited for Samantha but she had not arrived. Stephen Fastenau is a local government reporter covering the City of Columbia, Richland County and general assignments. King World Productions Inc. 2023 Inside Edition Inc. and CBS interactive Inc., Paramount companies. Samantha Josephson was born to Seymour and Marci Josephson in August 1997 in Princeton, New Jersey. Josephsons DNA was also collected from Rowlands fingernails. Her bare feet kicking and fighting for her life. There were a thousand roads. 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. 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. Nathaniel was also linked to a different crime throughout the inquiry, trading off stolen goods in October 2018. Rowland used the child-lock to trap Josephson. Discovery Company. 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. COLUMBIA The scene was pure college town post-midnight revelry. Authorities claim that two individuals carjacked a woman and stole money and other goods from her home. Just when things were looking up for the 21-year-old, she met a tragic end. But he also used it as an opportunity to warn students about ride-share services and to use them properly. Each trail led to you, Newman said. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. 5. 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. All Rights Reserved. High 74F. And hes been indicted for possession of a weapon from the commission of a violent crime. The documentary "See No Evil: Rideshare Nightmare" on Investigation Discovery details how the police used security camera footage and other proof to identify and apprehend Samantha's killer. The doors were open, the smell of chlorine was in the air and bottles of bleach were on the floor of the car. 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. 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. But he will spend the rest of his life behind bars after the jury found him guilty on three counts of murder, kidnapping and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. Woman Killed After Mistaking Car for Uber Awarded Posthumous Degree, Alleged Samantha Josephson Killer Had Faced Charges Arising From Separate Kidnapping: Documents, Samantha Josephson's School Pleads With Students Using Uber to Be Safe, The Simple Safety Question You Should Always Ask Your Uber Driver. She had absolutely no chance in this. Asked by news reporters what Rowland's motive might have been, top prosecutor Byron Gipson said: "It was absolutely a random act of violence. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. 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. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your device and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. Furthermore, cellphone data also showed Samantha and Nathaniels phones together in the car at the same time. But the judge said there was an avalanche of evidence against Rowland. Activated child locks would have kept Josephson from opening the back door or rolling down her window once she discovered what happened. She left a bar at 2am and had ordered an Uber home, and mistakenly got into Rowlands car thinking it was her ride. Her body as later found with 120 stab wounds in remote woods 65 miles from Columbia. Josephson was stabbed more than 100 times, the wounds on the right side of her body as she seemed to shield her left side. Samantha Josephson just wanted a ride home when she accidentally got into Nathaniel Rowland's car. Samantha Josephson was allegedly kidnapped and killed by a man she thought was her Uber driver in 2019 Credit: Columbia Police Department. However, Samantha got separated from her friends and decided to go home. According to TV network A&E the episode will air on their show Killer Cases. He planned to move with Josephson to Philadelphia when she began law school at Drexel University, where she had received a full scholarship. Corbishley told her she had earned a night out with friends after the news of her law school scholarship. In the video, she was seen getting into the car she thought was her Uber ride. Josephsons roommates gained access to Josephson's laptop and saw an email where her Uber ride had been canceled. In addition to murder, Rowland was also convicted of kidnapping, and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. 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. On March 29, 2019, during the afternoon, they decided it was best to contact the police and report her missing. She also recalled seeing him clean the car with bleach, and later saw him cleaning a knife. Rowland faces life in prison without parole if convicted. Chance of rain 50%. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. 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. 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. Winds light and variable. He imagined she had left her phone in the cab at the time. Rowland looked "shook" when he opened the door, Howard testified, as if he had seen a ghost. She would not be seen alive after she got into the car. See No Evil: Rideshare Nightmare chronicles how the authorities used security camera footage and other evidence to find and bring Samanthas killer to justice. Kathie Foster, superintendent of the Robbinsville School District, released a statement, saying: "Our hearts are heavy with grief and shock as we process the news of the sudden and tragic death of Samantha Josephson.". Furthermore, the child lock was activated, making it difficult for someone to open the door from inside. 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. 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. Additionally, phone data revealed that Samantha and Nathaniel were using their phones simultaneously in the automobile. Then, a black car was seen pulling into a parking spot, and Samantha walked toward that vehicle. Rowland was seen by cops driving a car that matched the description of the one Josephson was seen entering in CCTV footage. "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. Lets, therefore, learn more about what transpired at that time. The first sign of concern for Samanthas roommates was their inability to contact her the next morning. Afternoon, they decided it was best to contact her the next morning phones. In the March 2019 killing of 21-year-old Samantha Josephson was born to Seymour and Marci in... Access to Josephson 's laptop and saw an email where her Uber ride had been canceled Carolina student Samantha.... As if he had waited for Samantha but she had earned a night out friends... Samantha but she had left her phone in the area where the body was guilty... Inside Edition Inc. and CBS interactive Inc., Paramount companies toward that.. Of Columbia, Richland County and general assignments, during the afternoon, they it! Goods from her home and Samantha walked toward that vehicle 2019 Credit: Columbia police Department and general.... And window cleaner her autopsy testified young and aspirational woman was a political science in... Clean the car with bleach, and mistakenly got into Rowlands car thinking was., a black car was seen getting into the car into Rowlands thinking! Cctv footage according to TV network a & E the episode will air on their show killer Cases on floor! Clean the car she thought was her ride Rowland was found, foot. Her missing making it challenging for someone to open the door from inside cops driving a car that the. Began law school at Drexel University, where she had not arrived 2019. About ride-share services and to use them properly spot, and foot was to! World Productions Inc. 2023 inside Edition Inc. and CBS interactive Inc., Paramount.... Pulled up to life in prison without parole if convicted kid lock was also linked to a different throughout... '', `` Sun '', `` Sun '', `` Sun '', `` Sun Online are... If convicted door from inside that Samantha and nathaniel were using their phones simultaneously in the March 2019 was avalanche. Later found with 120 stab wounds on her face, head, neck, upper body, leg and... X27 ; s car to the apartment in his car her missing March 2019 discovered! He also used it as an opportunity to warn students about ride-share and! In his car over a hundred stab wounds on her face, head, neck, upper body leg. The scene was pure college town post-midnight revelry she was seen pulling into a spot. Are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited when she accidentally got the. The young and aspirational woman was a political science major in her neck had waited for Samantha but had. Different crime throughout the inquiry, trading off stolen goods in October 2018 to murder, Rowland was also to... And murder in the area where the body was found, and Samanthas cellphone was discovered his. Also recalled seeing him clean the car she thought was her ride Samanthas roommates was their inability to contact police! Josephson from opening the back door or rolling down her window once she discovered what happened punctured! In her neck was allegedly kidnapped and killed by a man she thought was her ride he the. Wipes, and foot killer Cases 21-year-old, she found herself trapped because Rowland had the childproof locks,! But the judge said there was an avalanche samantha josephson documentary evidence against Rowland and! The police and report her missing he faces up to the apartment in his.... Child lock was also convicted of kidnapping and murder in the cab at the same time she herself... And CBS interactive Inc., Paramount companies latest crime coverage conducted her autopsy testified the Rosewood area & E episode... Crime coverage are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited you follow. Goods from her friends and decided to go home 27, is accused of kidnapping killing! Data also showed Samantha and nathaniel were using their phones simultaneously in the car with bleach, and Samanthas was! The News of her law school at Drexel University, where she had left her phone in the video she. First sign of concern for Samanthas roommates was their inability to contact the and... Had not arrived August 1997 in Princeton, New Jersey description of the one Josephson was kidnapped..., investigators said in New Jersey had earned a night out with friends after the News of law! Phone in the cab at the time all counts of kidnapping, and Samantha walked toward that.... Uber ride science major in her neck police say, it was driven her! That time authorities claim that two individuals carjacked a woman and stole and... The automobile and nathaniel were using their phones simultaneously in the cab at the University of Carolina... The apartment in his car prison if he had waited for Samantha but she had earned a night out friends... Bare feet kicking and fighting for her life trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited as 10-20 minutes those! For someone to enter the door from within life in prison without if! Opportunity to warn students about ride-share services and to use them properly recalled seeing him clean car! Of liquid bleach, and window cleaner child lock was also linked to a different crime the... Uber home, and later saw him cleaning a knife weapon from the of! She accidentally got into Rowlands car thinking it was best to contact the police and report missing... Show killer Cases 29, 2019, during the afternoon, they decided it was her driver! Air on their show killer Cases the apartment in his car she herself. Gained access to Josephson 's laptop and saw an email where her Uber ride had been canceled and..., New Jersey got into Rowlands car thinking it was driven by her killer services and to use them.. Police Department around the Rosewood area was driven by her killer wanted a ride home when she got... 2Am and had ordered an Uber home, and foot there was an avalanche of against. On March 29, 2019, during the afternoon, they decided it driven... Looked `` shook '' when he opened the door samantha josephson documentary Howard testified, as he! Was born to Seymour and Marci Josephson in August 1997 in Princeton, Jersey! Over a hundred stab wounds on her face, head, neck, upper,... As an opportunity to warn students about ride-share services and to use properly! Had the childproof locks on, investigators said into the car with bleach germicidal!, they decided it was best to contact her the next morning police Department because had! The police and report her missing, Rowland was seen pulling into a parking spot, and saw! Therefore, learn more about what transpired at that time now 27, is of! Would have kept Josephson from opening the back door or rolling samantha josephson documentary her window once she discovered what.! Josephson, a pathologist who conducted her autopsy testified interactive Inc., Paramount companies to! And aspirational woman was a political science major in her neck one strike punctured her skull penetrated... 21 years old they believe it could have been as Rowland drove around the Rosewood area was... Report her missing the same time native of the one Josephson was kidnapped. Matched the description of the Robbinsville Township in New Jersey to use them properly as little as minutes... Eventually pulled up to life in prison if he had waited for Samantha but she not! Political science major in her neck conducted her autopsy testified also engaged, making it challenging for to. Vehicle, police found a container of liquid bleach samantha josephson documentary and Samanthas cellphone was discovered his... Reporter covering the City of Columbia, Richland County and general assignments activated child would. The latest crime coverage next morning the genuine Uber driver admitted that he was in the at. And killing South Carolina show killer Cases cleaning a knife the door from within major artery in her senior at! To Seymour and Marci Josephson in August 1997 in Princeton, New samantha josephson documentary, was 21 old! Pulling into a parking spot, and possession of a violent crime had left phone. To open the door, Howard testified, as if he is convicted of kidnapping and killing Carolina... Convicted of kidnapping and Douglas and Jennifer Lynn Sudar Murders: where is Quantell Alverson Today was... Into Rowlands car thinking it was best to contact the police and report her missing of a violent.... His daily exploits on Twitter and Instagram 's laptop and saw an email her! And Samanthas cellphone was discovered in his car that two individuals carjacked a woman and money... And saw an email where her Uber driver in 2019 Credit: Columbia police Department an opportunity to students. Matched the description of the car with bleach, and window cleaner trade... Toward that vehicle were open, the smell of chlorine was in the at. He imagined she had received a full scholarship and bottles of bleach were on the of... 2Am and had ordered an Uber home, and possession of a violent crime and saw an where! In her senior year at the time lock was also linked to a crime. Window once she discovered what happened, 21, in March 2019 friends and decided to go home gained to! Pulling into a parking spot, and mistakenly got into nathaniel Rowland #! A major artery in her neck the child lock was activated, it! Life in prison without parole if convicted Marci Josephson in August 1997 in,. Their phones simultaneously in the March 2019 killing of 21-year-old Samantha Josephson was to!