The Tragic Murder of Samantha Josephson and the Legacy of Rideshare Safety
The murder of Samantha Josephson, a 21-year-old University of South Carolina (UofSC) student, on March 29, 2019, in Columbia, South Carolina, sent shockwaves across the nation. Josephson's death, a result of mistakenly entering a car she believed to be her Uber, sparked a critical conversation about rideshare safety and the urgent need for enhanced protections for both passengers and drivers. This tragedy led to the creation of Sami's Law and other legislative efforts aimed at preventing similar incidents.
The Fateful Night
Samantha Lee Josephson, originally from Princeton, New Jersey, and a graduate of Robbinsville High School, was a political science major at the University of South Carolina. On the night of March 28, 2019, Josephson spent time with friends in the Five Points district of downtown Columbia. Around 2:00 am on March 29, she decided to head home and ordered an Uber.
Surveillance footage revealed that at 2:09 am, a black Chevrolet Impala, driven by Nathaniel Rowland, pulled up beside her. Tragically, Josephson entered Rowland's vehicle, mistaking it for her designated Uber ride.
The Brutal Attack
Inside the car, Rowland launched a savage attack on Josephson, using a two-bladed knife to inflict approximately 120 stab wounds. Josephson desperately tried to defend herself, but the relentless assault continued. One of Rowland's strikes went completely through her right hand, indicating her attempt to shield herself. He also stabbed her in the head with such force that the knife penetrated her skull and reached her brain. Other stab wounds targeted her carotid artery, face, neck, shoulder, torso, back, lung, leg, and feet. The pathologist noted that Josephson suffered a severed hyoid bone, and many of the wounds, especially those on her right neck and shoulder, were clustered together, suggesting rapid and violent infliction.
The Discovery and Investigation
When Josephson failed to return home, her roommates grew concerned and reported her missing. Police discovered her body in a rural area, which they later learned was a location where Rowland had recently resided. An autopsy confirmed that Josephson died from multiple sharp force injuries, with the pathologist unable to determine the exact number of wounds due to their sheer volume.
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Law enforcement officers located Rowland driving a car matching the description of the vehicle Josephson was seen entering. When they attempted to pull him over in the Five Points area, Rowland fled on foot but was quickly apprehended. A search of the trash behind his girlfriend's residence uncovered cleaning supplies and a two-bladed knife, both bearing Josephson's blood. Additional evidence, including a sock and a bandana owned by Rowland, also tested positive for Josephson's blood.
Legal Proceedings and Conviction
Rowland was charged with kidnapping, murder, and possession of a weapon during the commission of a crime. He was also linked to another crime: the carjacking and robbery of a woman in Columbia in October 2018. According to reports, Rowland allegedly sold items stolen from the woman, including a PlayStation 4, at a pawn shop hours after the incident.
On June 9, 2020, Rowland was denied bond. His trial commenced on July 20, 2021, featuring testimony from 31 witnesses, including the turkey hunter who discovered Josephson's body, a cell phone store owner who claimed Rowland tried to sell him Josephson's phone, Rowland's former girlfriend, and numerous law enforcement experts.
On July 27, 2021, after a mere hour of deliberation, the jury found Rowland guilty on all counts: kidnapping, murder, and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. He was immediately sentenced to life in prison by State Circuit Judge Clifton Newman. After appeal requests, Rowland remains in prison.
Sami's Law and the Fight for Rideshare Safety
In the wake of their daughter's tragic death, Josephson's parents established the What's My Name Foundation. The foundation's mission is to educate the public about rideshare safety, support charitable causes, and provide college scholarships. Josephson's parents have also become vocal advocates for policies that enhance safety for rideshare passengers, working closely with lawmakers to enact meaningful change.
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Several laws have been passed in response to Josephson's murder. On June 5, 2019, South Carolina enacted the Samantha L. Josephson Ridesharing Safety Act, requiring rideshare vehicles to display license plate numbers on the front. The law also imposes fines on individuals who misrepresent themselves as authorized drivers or use ridesharing apps for criminal activity.
Also in June 2019, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed Sami's Law, mandating more stringent identification measures for rideshare vehicles. The law requires companies to provide drivers with two "credential placards" displaying the driver's name, photo, and license plate number, to be placed on the rear side windows. Rideshare vehicles must also have identifying markers on the front windshield and back window.
Josephson's murder spurred lawmakers in North Carolina to propose the Passenger Protection Act, which requires rideshare drivers to display printed license plate numbers on the front of their vehicles and, as of July 1, 2020, to have illuminated signs. The act also establishes a new criminal penalty for impersonating a rideshare driver and makes assaulting a rideshare driver a misdemeanor.
Senator Anna Kaplan introduced the Samantha L. Josephson Ridesharing Safety Act in April 2019, aiming to implement similar safety measures in New York.
Josephson's parents have also collaborated with members of the United States Congress to develop federal legislation to improve rideshare safety. The proposed bill, also named "Sami's Law," would require rideshare vehicles to have front license plates, illuminated windshield signs, and scannable or quick-response codes on the sides. States that fail to comply would face a reduction in federal highway funding. The law would also create a 15-member advisory council, SAMI's Council, composed of federal agency representatives and public stakeholders, to advise the Secretary of Transportation and promote safety standards in the rideshare industry.
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Other Tragedies at the University of South Carolina
The University of South Carolina experienced other tragedies around the same time as Josephson's murder. Parker Neff, a USC Salkehatchie baseball player, died after collapsing on the field, and another student died by suicide.
The Disappearance and Death of Donaven Dempsey
In May 2024, another tragedy struck the University of South Carolina community with the disappearance of 18-year-old Donaven Dempsey, a theater major from Spartanburg. Dempsey was last seen on May 8 after taking an Uber from his hometown to Columbia. He was reportedly last seen in the area of Gervais Street.
After a search, Dempsey's body was recovered from the Congaree River on May 26. The Columbia Police Department stated that no foul play was suspected, though the cause and manner of death have not been released. A note found among Dempsey's belongings suggested his disappearance may have been intentional.
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