UPDATE:
Authorities confirmed they have made an arrest in connection with Samantha Josephson’s kidnapping and death.
Nathaniel David Rowland was reportedly arrested early Saturday morning following a traffic stop during which officers spotted blood inside his vehicle. The suspect attempted to evade police on foot but officers soon caught him and took him into custody.
Police say they do not believe the victim knew her killer and are investigating her death as a random act.
He is expected to face criminal charges including kidnapping and murder.
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
ORIGINAL STORY:
A University of South Carolina student last seen early Friday morning was confirmed dead on Saturday by the president of the university.
According to an Associated Press report, Harris Pastides released the letter regarding political science major Samantha Josephson.
A native of New Jersey, the 21-year-old senior was reported missing after disappearing in a vehicle parked outside a bar near campus. As Fox News reported, she is believed to have thought the driver was from a ride-share app and was waiting to pick her up.
“Our prayers are with the family and friends of Samantha Josephson following the devastating news of her death,” Pastides wrote. “Times like these leave me searching for words of wisdom and comfort.”
Initial police reports did not provide details about where her body was found or a suspected cause of death.
A tweet from the Columbia Police Department indicated that Josephson was “last seen getting into this newer model Chevy Impala along Haren Street.”
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
Her father reportedly posted a tribute to his Facebook page, confirming that his daughter “is no longer with us but she will not be forgotten.”
[Featured image: Samantha Josephson, Columbia Police Department]