Columbia Police distributed the disturbing footage Sunday evening, the day after the arrest of Nathaniel Rowland,who has been charged with murder in Josephson’s death.
In the video, the 21-year-old New Jersey native can be seen in the Five Points section of the city, walking up to a black Chevrolet Impala after leaving a local bar, busy with her phone as she enters the backseat.
The video was used to help track down Rowland, 24, who has yet to plead to the kidnapping and murder charges he faces. He is being held without bail and PEOPLE was unable to determine if he has retained a lawyer.
Investigators have revealed Josephson sustained numerous injuries to her head, neck, face, upper body, leg and foot, but have not publicly discussed the motive or cause of death.
Police have said Josephson’s blood was allegedly found in the trunk and interior of Rowland’s car.
Columbia Police Dept.
They also allegedly recovered her cellphone from his vehicle along with cleaning wipes, bleach, and window cleaner.
Columbia Police Dept. Facebook (2)
Josephson was a political science major from Robbinsville, New Jersey. She planned to go to the Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law in Philadelphia upon graduating in May.
According to police, the child safety locks were activated in the car, which would have prevented Josephson’s escape.
After being separated from her friends during a night out at the bar Bird Dog, Josephson summoned an Uber just after 2 a.m. and waited outside for the ride to arrive, Chief William Holbrook of the Columbia Police Department said.
Nathaniel Rowland.Columbia Police Dept.
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“We believe…that she simply mistakenly got into this particular car thinking it was an Uber ride,” Holbrook said at a press conference on Saturday. “She opened the door and got into it and departed with the suspect driving.”
Police allege that the area where Josephson was found is well-known to the suspect.
A GoFundMe pagelaunched in Samantha’s honor has raised over $50,000.
source: people.com
