Family and friends of a University of South Carolina college student who was killed held a candlelight vigil to remember her in her hometown of Robbinsville.
Samantha Josephson mistakenly got into a car she believed to be her Uber last weekend. Police say that the driver of this car, Nathaniel Rowland, kidnapped Josephson, killed her and then dumped her body.
About 300 people gathered in Robbinsville Tuesday evening to mourn and remember Josephson’s life.
“It’s been overwhelming to say the least,” said father Seymour Josephson. “This moment is overwhelming.
In the wake of the 21-year-old’s death, South Carolina legislators have already fashioned a bill to make Uber and Lyft drivers have illuminated signs so customers know they're getting in the right car.
"Just little things they can do to enhance safety because I'm telling you this is nothing you ever want to do. You don't want to go through this,” Seymour Josephson said.
Josephson’s boyfriend said that he spoke to her the night that she disappeared.
“She was the love of my life. And I was on the phone tracking her through all of this just to make sure she got home safely. And I immediately knew there was something that was wrong,” said boyfriend Greg Corbishely.
Police say that Rowland trapped Josephson inside the car by activating the child safety locks. Hunters found Josephson’s body in a wooded area – 70 miles away from where she was taken.
Police say they found Josephson's phone and blood inside of Rowland’s car, a black Chevy Impala.
But Rowland’s parents say that they believe that he is innocent.
“He told my wife he didn’t do it. And I know my wife ain’t gonna lie about something like that,” says Henry Rowland. “So I’m behind him 100 percent.”
The Rowlands have expressed their condolences to Josephson’s family. They say that if their son is guilty, then he has to pay the consequences.
Funeral services for Josephson will be held Wednesday in West Windsor.