Found Deceased SC - Samantha Josephson, 21, Columbia, 29 March 2019 *Arrest*

[Trudie]

There really is a lot to be said for a designated driver.

it's not just Uber, Lyft, etc. Almost everyone I know has had at least one late night creepy cab driver experience too. Thankfully nothing that ended like this, but ranging from mildly uncomfortable to let me out of the bleeping cab now.

I had one years ago in Boston start talking about the "Faces of Death" videos, and how those "turned him on". Just out of the blue. Yeah, nope.

You’re right. We never know. The Kalamazoo Uber driver had a high rating.
We truly never know what another is capable of. If we did, we’d prob have fewer friends.

 

[ilovechili]

They only found him because of an alert patrol car noticing a black Impala returned to the area where the crime was committed. If he had stayed with friends or family in New Zion, we would be deep in the midst of an intense search.

He had a reason to return to Five Points, specifically. At 3 am. Some thoughts:

1. He had a job that revolved around evening work (like working in a bar or parking lot) and had to return to his job.

2 He lived in the immediate area and returned to that home

3. His gf and child live in the area

4. He was back stalking another victim

He strikes me as a basically good kid from a small town southern family who was a little spoiled ( siblings giving him money) and who couldn't cut it at school or any kind of career. He clearly lives some time in C0lumbia, SC, and doesn't really stay in New Zion. The October arrest for the pawn shop incident tells me he'd had some hard times, needed some extra cash. Whatever job he's doing isn't paying all the bills. Which include maintaining the baby, gf, and car. Drug sales would be the obvious choice, but he didn't really have enough on him when arrested to suggest he was dealing that night. But maybe he hangs around Five Points at 2-3 am to sell to drunk college kids. That's why he cruises. I dunno.

I don't think he would be living in Rosewood. Those are nicer homes there, not basic low-level apartments. That's more along the area where the pawn shop was. I don't see him ducking into a garage in a home in Rosewood.

I'll bet the woman with him at 3 am was his gf and the baby's mother. Was he taking her to a shiftwork job somewhere? Did he act as her pimp? I dunno that either.

I don't really think he was back in Five Points the next morning to stalk another victim. I think he had to return to the gf / baby and job. And I just wonder if the kidnapping was a robbery gone wrong and spun out of control.

All great points. I was simply speculating.

With regard to possibly having a hint of suspects, I am not saying they knew for sure and that is if and only if, when they found her body that canvassing the area and talking to local LE there may have given them an idea of people who lived in that area and what they drove for a vehicle.

They also could cross check anyone living in the area out there or known to and they were doing a very active investigation with a team already assembled and at work. So to cross check people through vehicle record checks. I am not saying they were sure of anyone, just that they might find then that he matched up with a person from that area, which it did. Heck, if he had not run, had her phone or had blood in the car, etc. he may have just been able to drive away. He was stupid and in the same area where she was abducted.

I know nothing about the Rosewood area so it was simply speculation. However, I would not expect him to drive as new of a vehicle as he drives either... It is just that we do not know where he lives when in Columbia and in fact may have been living in Columbia or where friends/gf may live.

I wondered about robbery too yet on the other hand, what would a 21 year old college student likely have for money, etc.? Any credit cards etc. would leave a trail if he used them (not that he may be that bright). And he did have her phone...

The fact this woman was with him in that area in the wee hours stands out to me... I do not think she was abducted by him but that is simply because the terminology of saying she is "cooperating" is not what you usually say about most victims of abduction...

All just my speculation and opinion which may change with more info.

 

[Herat]

All great points. I was simply speculating.

With regard to possibly having a hint of suspects, I am not saying they knew for sure and that is if and only if, when they found her body that canvassing the area and talking to local LE there may have given them an idea of people who lived in that area and what they drove for a vehicle.

They also could cross check anyone living in the area out there or known to and they were doing a very active investigation with a team already assembled and at work. So to cross check people through vehicle record checks. I am not saying they were sure of anyone, just that they might find then that he matched up with a person from that area, which it did. Heck, if he had not run, had her phone or had blood in the car, etc. he may have just been able to drive away. He was stupid and in the same area where she was abducted.

I know nothing about the Rosewood area so it was simply speculation. However, I would not expect him to drive as new of a vehicle as he drives either... It is just that we do not know where he lives when in Columbia and in fact may have been living in Columbia or where friends/gf may live.

I wondered about robbery too yet on the other hand, what would a 21 year old college student likely have for money, etc.? Any credit cards etc. would leave a trail if he used them (not that he may be that bright). And he did have her phone...

The fact this woman was with him in that area in the wee hours stands out to me... I do not think she was abducted by him but that is simply because the terminology of saying she is "isn't what you usually say about most victims of abduction...

All just my speculation and opinion which may change with more info.

ilovechili - I'm just speculating, too.

What strikes me is this is a kid from podunk SC now in the big city and his black Impala is probably the most important thing in his life. He keeps it spotless, from the FB photos I've been able to see, and it give him - freedom. But freedom comes at a price - like car insurance, upkeep, maybe car payments (do we know what model year it was?). And now he has a baby, he or the gf are responsible enough to have a proper baby seat for the kid.

He doesn't appear to have a gun as a weapon. He has a knife, likely for his own protection, I think.

He did deliberately pick her up and as mentioned above, I do think he called out to her just before he made the turn to assure she would enter the vehicle without issue. (If she had said: You don't match the Uber driver, all he needed to say was "Sorry, different fare, my mistake". Was he trying to rob her for cash, ATM, jewelry?

Picking her up with the child locks on the doors and windows assured that she would go from cooperative robbery victim to uncooperative, terrified and aggressively trying to save her life. So the child locks seem to work against a robbery motive for me.

I dunno what happened. Hopefully, the woman involved (who almost certainly is his gf/baby mama) can give the information that puts this all together

 

[ilovechili]

I wonder if the murderer ever applied for a job with Uber or Lyft?

I wonder that as well. I even went so far to wonder if he currently worked for them and she refused him as a driver... I would think if he did though, that would have been mentioned. If he worked prior though, they may not have known yet...

Or if he was known and familiar as ever having given rides like a private taxi, etc...

It is odd he was in the area both nights in the wee hours unless maybe one worked down there... Or were out themselves in the bars... Or was it for always illegal purposes...

In the video, the man standing in front of the car as if he is looking at it or those in it strikes me a bit unusual as well...

 

[ilovechili]

ilovechili - I'm just speculating, too.

What strikes me is this is a kid from podunk SC now in the big city and his black Impala is probably the most important thing in his life. He keeps it spotless, from the FB photos I've been able to see, and it give him - freedom. But freedom comes at a price - like car insurance, upkeep, maybe car payments (do we know what model year it was?). And now he has a baby, he or the gf are responsible enough to have a proper baby seat for the kid.

He doesn't appear to have a gun as a weapon. He has a knife, likely for his own protection, I think.

He did deliberately pick her up and as mentioned above, I do think he called out to her just before he made the turn to assure she would enter the vehicle without issue. (If she had said: You don't match the Uber driver, all he needed to say was "Sorry, different fare, my mistake". Was he trying to rob her for cash, ATM, jewelry?

Picking her up with the child locks on the doors and windows assured that she would go from cooperative robbery victim to uncooperative, terrified and aggressively trying to save her life. So the child locks seem to work against a robbery motive for me.

I dunno what happened. Hopefully, the woman involved (who almost certainly is his gf/baby mama) can give the information that puts this all together

I believe I heard the car was a 2018, fairly certain. I noted how new it was when I heard it... Even though usually not as difficult to get as say an unsecured loan, I would think he would need at least halfway decent credit to get that...?

He likely used a knife but I could see a combination of things too including strangulation and a knife, etc... The car seat in the back throws me too, it would make some types of assaults a bit more difficult I mean... I never saw it, was it in the center or on one side do you know?

I wonder how they know the locks were engaged? I mean like others have said, he used the car after that i.e., the night he was arrested. I guess looking up the year and model of the car may answer that if I get time. I believe they know it because they stated it, I simply wonder how. I think there is confusion in types of locks. I have the type others have mentioned that lock my windows and back doors from the armrest of the driver's seat. I can disengage them in one split second so in that case, one could not be sure they were engaged on an entirely different night is what I mean. The newer models must be different I am guessing.

 

[ilovechili]

ilovechili - I'm just speculating, too.

What strikes me is this is a kid from podunk SC now in the big city and his black Impala is probably the most important thing in his life. He keeps it spotless, from the FB photos I've been able to see, and it give him - freedom. But freedom comes at a price - like car insurance, upkeep, maybe car payments (do we know what model year it was?). And now he has a baby, he or the gf are responsible enough to have a proper baby seat for the kid.

He doesn't appear to have a gun as a weapon. He has a knife, likely for his own protection, I think.

He did deliberately pick her up and as mentioned above, I do think he called out to her just before he made the turn to assure she would enter the vehicle without issue. (If she had said: You don't match the Uber driver, all he needed to say was "Sorry, different fare, my mistake". Was he trying to rob her for cash, ATM, jewelry?

Picking her up with the child locks on the doors and windows assured that she would go from cooperative robbery victim to uncooperative, terrified and aggressively trying to save her life. So the child locks seem to work against a robbery motive for me.

I dunno what happened. Hopefully, the woman involved (who almost certainly is his gf/baby mama) can give the information that puts this all together

I haven't been on the FB account so I am at a disadvantage there. Do we actually know for a fact he does not work? And whether there is a gf? Meaning those things are not always stated.

 

[Herat]

In the video, the man standing in front of the car as if he is looking at it or those in it strikes me a bit unusual as well...

Other people commented about that fellow, too.

My conjecture is that college kids wanting to party after the bars close are not adverse to purchasing some kinds of drugs and that there are those that are ready and willing to sell them. Like maybe Rowlands. It would make sense to me that he regularly cruises that area to sell junk to drunk college kids just as the bars close. He knows to drive into that handicapped spot for a quickie transaction and back out onto the street in a flash. Maybe that's what the guy in the plaid shirt is thinking, too.

A local guy in a shiny new car cruising around a bar scene full of college kids is not looking to sell Girl Scout cookies.

However, I think he would know that women standing just where SJ was are looking for their Uber driver, not to buy stuff. And I do believe he said something to her through the car window because she turns her head left to look at the vehicle. He is so quick in and out of that space that there is really NO time for a quick discussion where they realize they are there for different reasons. Did he just panic and drive away with her or did he really intend to abduct her?

I dunno.

 

[Herat]

I haven't been on the FB account so I am at a disadvantage there. Do we actually know for a fact he does not work? And whether there is a gf? Meaning those things are not always stated.

There hasnt been any news that he was employed by anyone in the Five Points area. Usually that kind of stuff gets out quickly because the other employees know.

 

[mks762]

I love this site and visit it daily to catch up on the threads I'm watching and see what else is going on. When I heard about this case I couldn't bring myself to open this thread. I graduated from South Carolina in 2010 and frequented five points. I have been so upset all weekend thinking about Sami and her friends and family. This could happen to anyone. It's terrifying. I have no other word for it. This morning I decided to jump on in and read the 625 posts you brilliant fellow sleuthers have posted and have read a lot of great insight so thank you everyone! I see no victim blaming and am so happy about that.
Some have asked about the area surrounding five points- a group of my friends lived at the top of the hill on Harden RIGHT outside of five points. I would have been uncomfortable walking from their house to five points alone. It's literally one block to five points outer edge Blossom Street but it is (or at least was last time I was there) dark and quiet. It would be easy to go from the bird dog to a dark quiet street in Shandon/Rosewood within a matter of minutes. Not so much a place where if someone was screaming they wouldn't be heard but if someone was moving a body from their back seat to their trunk I believe it could have easily been done right out side of five points- if that's what happened.
I still can't wrap my head around this whole thing. What happened in that car?? How did he overpower her being in the front seat while she was in the back??? How far did he get before she realized what was going on? Is he cooperating with SLED?
I don't think any of this was planned. Not even the child locks. I think this was a crime of convenience and opportunity. He found himself with an attractive 21 year old in his car- he tried to take advantage of the situation (sexually) and when he was turned down he just lost it and attacked her. He's familiar with the abandoned back roads of New Zion and thought that would be a perfect place to leave her body. ALL IMO
I am so grateful that she was found so quickly. Not knowing is so difficult (Danniella Vian in Alabama- no trace of her since July). Anyways sorry for rambling- had a lot to catch up on today and just wanted to give my thoughts and spread my appreciation for you all and your wonderful posts. Now it's time to see this monster pay for what he has done

 

[happyday]

One of my favorite podcasts, My Favotite Murder has a saying for this: “F*** politeness”

When it comes to your safety, don’t be polite

Love MFM! And I love that saying!

 

[ilovechili]

Other people commented about that fellow, too.

My conjecture is that college kids wanting to party after the bars close are not adverse to purchasing some kinds of drugs and that there are those that are ready and willing to sell them. Like maybe Rowlands. It would make sense to me that he regularly cruises that area to sell junk to drunk college kids just as the bars close. He knows to drive into that handicapped spot for a quickie transaction and back out onto the street in a flash. Maybe that's what the guy in the plaid shirt is thinking, too.

A local guy in a shiny new car cruising around a bar scene full of college kids is not looking to sell Girl Scout cookies.

However, I think he would know that women standing just where SJ was are looking for their Uber driver, not to buy stuff. And I do believe he said something to her through the car window because she turns her head left to look at the vehicle. He is so quick in and out of that space that there is really NO time for a quick discussion where they realize they are there for different reasons. Did he just panic and drive away with her or did he really intend to abduct her?

I dunno.

I think drugs and/or known for it may be likely although one would think they would worry about cameras, etc. in such an area although I guess it could be discreetly but if he did it commonly, hmm, they should look at the videos and do an undercover buy

I thought maybe he saw something that disturbed him or he recognized the car or driver, etc. Or something that made him wonder about what was going on. I also thought maybe he wanted a ride and approached and saw a car seat and possibly three people (unsure yet) in the vehicle and thought it was full or even thought it was his Uber if he had called one and that she had taken it... Finally, I also speculate whether he knows SJ and was just trying to ensure she was okay (I would have to watch the video again). Or he knew the perp or even could have been working with him...

I don't know either. Totally guessing...

 

[Herat]

My guess is that a relative helped him out with the vehicle - like making the payments or something.

From that old piece he wrote in high school, I recall he was the younger child in the family and had a brother, or uncle who "gave him money". I didn't get the idea that he was particularly motivated, not likely enough to have had the kind of good credit to be able to purchase a $28K vehicle on his own and make the registration and insurance payments on it. For example: SC has a 5% sales tax on new vehicles. Likely added $1400 to the purchase price. Making it closer to $30K.

Where does he get that kind of money with no degree, no tradesman training? I have to think money had something to do with what he does cruising around Five Points at 2-3 am. And it's not pulling the graveyard shift at McDonalds.

 

[Herat]

I think drugs and/or known for it may be likely although one would think they would worry about cameras, etc. in such an area although I guess it could be discreetly but if he did it commonly, hmm, they should look at the videos and do an undercover buy

I thought maybe he saw something that disturbed him or he recognized the car or driver, etc. Or something that made him wonder about what was going on. I also thought maybe he wanted a ride and approached and saw a car seat and possibly three people (unsure yet) in the vehicle and thought it was full or even thought it was his Uber if he had called one and that she had taken it... Finally, I also speculate whether he knows SJ and was just trying to ensure she was okay (I would have to watch the video again). Or he knew the perp or even could have been working with him...

I don't know either. Totally guessing...

I see one other women in that security footage. Black woman with hair up and light colored shirt walks on outside of sidewalk towards the upper edge of the frame as Rowland's car pulls in. SJ practically leaps into the vehicle - she isn't wasting any time getting out of there. Mostly white college-age men hanging outside Blind Dog Bar with drinks in their hands.

 

[ilovechili]

My guess is that a relative helped him out with the vehicle - like making the payments or something.

From that old piece he wrote in high school, I recall he was the younger child in the family and had a brother, or uncle who "gave him money". I didn't get the idea that he was particularly motivated, not likely enough to have had the kind of good credit to be able to purchase a $28K vehicle on his own and make the registration and insurance payments on it. For example: SC has a 5% sales tax on new vehicles. Likely added $1400 to the purchase price. Making it closer to $30K.

Where does he get that kind of money with no degree, no tradesman training? I have to think money had something to do with what he does cruising around Five Points at 2-3 am. And it's not pulling the graveyard shift at McDonalds.

I recall it being his sister and he said I thought he was closest to her and she gives him money. Of course that was at like 16 though, would she still be doing so? It is unusual to me, parents maybe, a sibling is a little harder to see. I suppose someone could have just put the loan in their name too if he had no credit... However, I can tell you as a parent, I would not do that. Maybe a bit older vehicle, but not a new one... Nowadays creditors finance them if new for so long/many years his payment may be pretty reasonable actually.

I actually had someone tell me once they never had $2,000 to their name they could ever come up with to buy a beater vehicle but they could go finance a new vehicle and make the payment. How crazy is that? Not saying their interest was probably great...

The high school thing may just have been say $20 or $50 bucks here or there while in high school, by a sibling, hard to say, for a teenager.

I know just a small amount of drugs were found on him. What was it, pot? I don't recall...

 

[Trudie]

I believe I heard the car was a 2018, fairly certain. I noted how new it was when I heard it... Even though usually not as difficult to get as say an unsecured loan, I would think he would need at least halfway decent credit to get that...?

A few linked articles state the death mobile as 2017.
Idk how car financing works, I see ads for ‘low monthly, no down’, do they even check credit?
Don’t forget, he’s CEO of Dymoo Pynk Dymoo, no idea what the company is or if it exists.

 

[floridagrrl]

Love MFM! And I love that saying!

Hi fellow Murderino!

To eleborate on this, we as women are expected to be polite or we can be so easily labeled as a b I t c h. If you are, then oh well! Then I’m one that’s alive and safe!

I have 2 daughters and I have taught them the subtle ways of this.

To bring it back to the topic though, goes for men too. An Uber driver who is legit would and should never judge you for taking precautions. Heck, it should make them feel safe too.

 

[Trudie]

I wonder that as well. I even went so far to wonder if he currently worked for them and she refused him as a driver... I would think if he did though, that would have been mentioned. If he worked prior though, they may not have known yet...

Or if he was known and familiar as ever having given rides like a private taxi, etc...

It is odd he was in the area both nights in the wee hours unless maybe one worked down there... Or were out themselves in the bars... Or was it for always illegal purposes...

In the video, the man standing in front of the car as if he is looking at it or those in it strikes me a bit unusual as well...

This would be dif’, depending where one lives, how well they know their community & other factors, in my town/county, we have at least 2 men driving for Uber that should not be in MOO and the opinion of a lot of locals.
However, they met the criteria for employment.

 

[Herat]

I know just a small amount of drugs were found on him. What was it, pot? I don't recall...

I don't believe it was specified but it implied it was marjiuana.

So, that's what doesn't go along with him being a dealer to drunk college kids.

I get the feeling he is kinda naive. And that this whole episode was something else gone very very wrong. Got out of control and he panicked.

He could have just stopped and let her out if there had been a mistake, but he clearly had a weapon (knife?) in his hand when he opened the rear car door.

 

[Only4Justice]

There really is a lot to be said for a designated driver.

it's not just Uber, Lyft, etc. Almost everyone I know has had at least one late night creepy cab driver experience too. Thankfully nothing that ended like this, but ranging from mildly uncomfortable to let me out of the bleeping cab now.

I had one years ago in Boston start talking about the "Faces of Death" videos, and how those "turned him on". Just out of the blue. Yeah, nope.

Same here. I had a very scary taxi ride in Vegas in 2000. Scared the crap out of me.

 

[ilovechili]

I see one other women in that security footage. Black woman with hair up and light colored shirt walks on outside of sidewalk towards the upper edge of the frame as Rowland's car pulls in. SJ practically leaps into the vehicle - she isn't wasting any time getting out of there. Mostly white college-age men hanging outside Blind Dog Bar with drinks in their hands.

If this is the case, then this could be a set-up possibly too.

She was separated from her friends it was said. This place was clearly busy judging by the number of people outside, etc. I wonder if she encountered issues with a female wanting to fight or with a male, etc.

I also wonder what happened with her friends that they became parted or if she parted because she ran into someone she knew or met and maybe was talking with someone in one place while they moved onto another without her...? I want to make it very clear this is not blame just wondering if it was due to her seeing someone she knew or meeting someone and not wanting to leave at the same time or due to something else...

I keep coming back to the fact he was in the area two nights in a row and there could be a variety of reasons for that...