Murder victim Samantha Josephson, 21, was stabbed around 120 times in her horrific March 2019 death, according to Monday testimony from a forensic pathologist. During the first days of the trial, Maria Howard, the woman Rowland was dating in 2019 when the senior at the University of South Carolina went missing, told jurors she noticed blood in the back of his car. As Samantha Josephson's hometown of Robbinsville prepares to remember the University of South Carolina senior with a candlelight vigil on Tuesday night, many questions surround the circumstances of her death, including the biggest: Why? The pathologist could not determine an exact number of wounds because there were so many. Instead, police say, it was driven by her killer. He assumed she had left her phone in the Uber car. States that do not comply would be penalized by losing 1% of federal highway funding. Miss Howards McDonalds visor was found in the trunk; it also had Josephsons blood on it. Following Samantha's death, South Carolina lawmakers . He was heterosexual, she was attractive, and rape is almost obligatory in cases like this. 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. She bled profusely, ultimately dying within 10-20 minutes, according to the pathologist who conducted an autopsy on her body. The body was found around 4 p.m., nearly 16 hours after she disappeared,. Their daughter was at Miss Howards mothers house, and they went to pick her up. The Killer Cases episode will air on Wednesday night at 10pm, the episode is titled Murder in a College Town. [18], Josephson's roommates became concerned and reported her missing the day after she accidentally entered the vehicle. He was caught and arrested on March 20, 2019. 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. I have had to look for motives myself. 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. Trenton, NJ Samantha L. Josephson ROBBINSVILLE Samantha L. Josephson, 21, passed away Friday March 29, 2019. Miss Josephsons iPhone was in the car and child safety locks were turned on. "His actions were senseless vile and unacceptalbe," Marci continued. Instead, she found herself trapped because Rowland had the childproof locks on, investigators said. Forensic investigators determined that she was killed in the car. All roads led to you, he told Mr. Rowland. [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. . He was charged with kidnapping, murder, and possession of a weapon during the commission of a crime in April 2019. 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. The real driver testified at trial that when he showed up, she wasnt there. At USC, Samantha was majoring in political science, according to her obituary. There was no password lock on the phone, and he saw a photo of white woman. The defense did not put one up. For many blacks, a white bunny or a snow bunny is a white woman who is interested in blacks. @LawCrimeNetwork #SamanthaJosephson #NathanielRowland pic.twitter.com/vZQ9eXqQuI, Cathy Russon (@cathyrusson) July 23, 2021. The defense, on the other hand, has suggested other people were involved in killing Josephson. According to a warrant for Rowland's arrest, Josephson suffered "numerous wounds" to her head, neck, face, upper body, leg and foot. 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. Mr. Rowlands defense had weak closing arguments. "Samantha was by herself. He sentenced Nathaniel Rowland to life in prison. Mr. Rowland left home at about midnight. 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. Mr. Rowland was sitting in his car alone when police found his vehicle at about 2:30 a.m. Fourteen hours later, her body was found by hunters in a wooded area in Clarendon County. 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. Nathaniel Rowland, now 27, is accused of kidnapping and killing South Carolina student Samantha Josephson, 21, in March 2019. Are new stores coming to Quaker Bridge Mall in NJ? [13], Josephson spent the night before her death in the Five Points district in downtown Columbia with friends. [35][36], Also in June 2019, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed Sami's Law, which requires more identification on ride-share vehicles. The violence happened after she mistakenly entered a black car early Friday that she thought was her Uber ride. The trial is being streamed . At about 2:00 am she decided to leave the Bird Dog bar and ordered an Uber. Rowland was ultimately charged with murder, kidnapping, and possession of a deadly weapon during the commission of a crime. Samantha Josephson's mother, Marci Josephson, read from a paper, held by a victims advocate on one side and with her other daughter on the other. RM T29H53 - Columbia, South Carolina USA - March 31, 2019: University of South Carolina students mourn the death of their slain fellow Gamecock Samantha Josephson during a candlelight vigil held in her honor. [44] It requires ride-share vehicles to have front license plates and illuminated windshield signs along with scannable or quick-response codes on the sides. Police have not said what was used to cause the wounds. 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 . Murder victim Samantha Josephson, 21, was stabbed around 120 times in her horrific March 2019 death, according to Monday testimony from a forensic pathologist. Rowland also stabbed Josephson in her head with enough force that the knife went through her skull to her brain. Could UFCs Dana White Face Charges for Slapping Wife in Drunken Argument? She absolutely had no chance. The judge who sentenced Rowland said: She obviously put up an amazing fight against you and left a sufficient trail for the jury to see what you did.. The judge said the case was the "most severe" murder he had seen in court before. Police searched the backyard of Mr. Rowlands and Miss Howards apartment and found the murder weapon inside a plastic shopping bag left in a trash can. Josephsons DNA was also collected from Rowlands fingernails. No one mentioned his motive during the trial. February 8, 2022 by Juliane Cunha. [22][26][20], Rowland was charged with kidnapping, murder, and possession of a weapon during the commission of a crime. 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.. 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. Mr. Rowland faced three charges: Murder; kidnapping; and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. Victim. His face was not clear because he pulled his jacket up to cover his nose and mouth. According to his Facebook page he attended South Carolina State University in 2017, but the schools chief of staff in 2019 confirmed he was not a student there at the time of Samanthas killing. . He has no known criminal record of similar violence. 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. 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? Despite this list, Josephsons body was neither taped nor burned. 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. There was no sign of a struggle at that location where she was found. The temple is where Samantha Josephson became a Bat Mitzvah. "I am completely devastated and am praying for her family.". There was also a spotted sheet in the bag with Josephsons DNA on it. Her father's name is Seymour Josephson and her mother's name is Marci Josephson. He also stabbed her in the carotid, one of two main arteries that carries blood to the head. He said, Mind your business.. As reported by WYFF4, Josephson got separated from her friends, and reportedly contacted Uber for a ride back to her apartment. Her arguments made no sense. They all go to Five Points together. ", "If there's somebody else in the car, she actually has a chance.". The contents of this website are copyright 1990-2023 New "Her death was my death," Marci Josephson said. The image of Samantha fighting for her life has haunted her parents for the past 28 months. The double-bladed multi-tool had both Mr. Rowlands and Samantha Josephsons DNA on it. Burial will follow at Perrineville Cemetery in the Perrineville section of Millstone in Monmouth County. This appears to have been the one visible in the videos. She asked why he was washing the car with wipes. 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. Rowland is accused of kidnapping and killing University of South Carolina student Samantha Josephson in March of 2019. Four hours later, authorities received a call from hunters, who found a body in a secluded area nearly 65 miles away from where Josephson was last seen. A forensic pathologist would say that there were 100 stab wounds, cuts, and abrasions, he promised jurors last week. 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. [41] The act, which is currently in the Transportation Committee,[42] requires ride-share drivers to display visible, consistent, and distinctive signage clearly identifying the rideshare service provider at all times when the driver is active on the service platform or providing rideshare service. These signs must be readable from a distance of 50 feet during daylight hours and should be illuminated at night so that the logo is patently visible. Samantha Josephsons DNA was found on his bandana, shoes, and socks, and under his fingernails. 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. The car also contained Samanthas cell phone and a large amount of blood was also discovered on the backseat. She was last seen getting into a car at approximately 2 a.m. on March 29. She earned a full scholarship to Drexel University, as . Why did Nathaniel Rowland kill Samantha Josephson? [34] The law also subjects people who misrepresent themselves as authorized transportation network company (TNC) drivers to a maximum $500 fine and those who use TNC ride-sharing application in the furtherance of criminal activity to a maximum $1,000 fine. The details of the horrifying December assault come days after police in South Carolina announced that 21-year-old Samantha Josephson was found dead after getting into a car she may have thought was an Uber she ordered. 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 South Carolina student mistakenly got into the back seat of Nathaniel Rowland's Black Impala, believing it was her Uber driver. Or to keep it anonymous, click here. 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. [47] On December 28, 2022, federal legislation authorizing a study of ride-sharing safety practices, with passage by the US House and Senate, was sent to President Biden's desk. 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. Prosecutors, for reasons they did not disclose, did not seek the death penalty. He took approximately 170 photographs (because of extent of injuries) and 13 x-rays (looking for pieces of knife that may have broken off and lodged in the body). Samantha Josephson had just finished a night celebrating her impending college graduation when she made one fatal mistake. 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. An award-winning journalist who has worked forRolling Stone and MTV News, Chris enjoys prog rock, cycling, Marvel movies, IPAs, and roller coasters. According to authorities, Rowland activated the child locks so that the doors could only be opened from the outside, thereby trapping Josephson inside the vehicle. [3][9], Samantha Lee Josephson was born in Princeton, New Jersey, and grew up in Robbinsville, New Jersey. Ride-share vehicles must also have an identifying marker on the front windshield and back window. "I close my eyes and I feel what she endured at [Rowland's} hands 120 times. Township officials warn that parking will be limited at the event. ", "My daughter's name is Samantha Josephson," Marci said during an emotional bond hearing on Saturday, according to a recording from WIS News in Columbia, SC. During her time at USC, she had studied abroad in Barcelona and visited Madrid and Paris. Investigators say Samantha got into a vehicle she believed was an Uber she called for a ride home. We will probably never know. Facebook. The Clarendon County Coroner on Monday released a cause for Josephson of death as "multiple sharp force injuries" for Samantha Josephson following an autopsy. She had stab wounds from head to toe. And hopefully putting pressure on Uber and Lyft." Samantha Josephsons parents established the #WHATSMYNAME Foundation in honor of their daughter, to promote rideshare safety. If the races had been reversed, this case would have been a huge media sensation and there would have been immediate accusations of racism. The media would have rooted mercilessly through the killers background, looking for evidence. He was caught[23] and was arrested at 3:00 am on March 30. She suffered more than 120 stab wounds and bled to death. 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. Legislation at the federal level is pending. 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.. . Samantha Josephson, a 21-year-old University of South Carolina from Robbinsville, New Jersey who was set to graduate and go to law school, was found dead in March of 2019 in South Carolina +10. University of South Carolina student Samantha Josephson's death was caused by "multiple sharp force injuries," law enforcement officials said Monday. On June 5, 2019, the Samantha L. Josephson Ridesharing Safety Act was signed into law in South Carolina. Rose said in a message on his Twitter account he is introducing legislation requiring rideshare vehicles to be identified by illuminated signage. She had planned to go to the Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law in Philadelphia after her graduation. None of Rowlands DNA was found on Josephsons defensive wounds, said attorney Alicia Goode. A GoFundMe page was set up to raise money for the family, and nearly $50,000 was collected. [17][9][18][19][20] Investigators believe Rowland dragged Josephsons body to the New Zion field where she would later be discovered. The state announced Monday afternoon that it . Seymour Josephson said. 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. Phil Murphy also signed legislation, which is referred to as "Sami's Law," that requires rideshare drivers to provide and display identification information. 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.". When a reporter asked prosecutor Byron Gipson, he said, It was absolutely a random act of violence. The defendants black Chevy Impala drives by, makes a U-turn and drives by again. Hours later, the young woman was found murdered many miles away from where she was last seen. 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. During cross-examination, the defense suggested Josephson had what they described as offensive wounds on her knuckles. [51], The Township of Robbinsville built a patio and rock garden, dedicating the landmarks to Josephson.[32]. Additionally, Josephson suffered a severed hyoid bone, as well as stab wounds to her face, neck, shoulder, torso, back, lung, leg, and feet. 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.
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