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Morbidology is a weekly true crime podcast created and hosted by Emily G. Thompson. Using investigative research combined with primary audio, Morbidology takes an in-depth look at true crime cases from all across the world.


In March of 2019, a young woman vanished after leaving a bar in Columbia, South Carolina. She had ordered an Uber while standing outside the bar on her own. CCTV footage from outside the bar would capture the young woman entering a vehicle which had pulled up alongside her. By first appearances, it was the Uber that she had ordered. However, by the following morning, the young woman still hadn’t arrived home and an investigation was launched.   

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Audio Sources:

“Pathologist says Samantha Josephson was stabbed over 100 times before she died: full video”

“Body cam of Nathaniel Rowland arrest played during trial: raw video”

“‘There was blood:’ Nathaniel Rowland ex-girlfriend testifies she saw him clean blood out of car”

“Boyfriend of Samantha Josephson testifies during her trial”

“Samantha Josephson killing: what we now know about the USC student’s death”

“‘His eyes were fixed on her:’ Prosecutor’s opening statement in Samantha Josephson killing trial”

“Turkey hunter who found Samantha Josephson’s body ‘startled’ by what he found”

“Nathaniel Rowland found guilty of murdering Samantha Josephson: full video”

“Sydney Josephson reacts to verdict in killing of Samantha Josephson: full video”

“Seymour Josephson speaks during Nathaniel Rowland sentencing: full video”

“Marci Josephson, mother of Samantha Josephson speaks after guilty verdict: full video”

“SC v. Nathaniel Rowland Trial Day 1 – Opening Statements – Alleged Murder Of Samantha Josephson”

“”He’s guilty of murder:’ Judge stops mom of Nathaniel Rowland during her statement”

“Samantha Josephson receives posthumous degree”

“Day 4: Trial of man charged with killing UofSC student Samantha Josephson”

“Friends, Family Remember 21-Year-Old Samantha Josephson”

Sources:

ABC – 13 WVEC, 29 March, 2019 – “USC Student Got into Wrong Car and was Kidnapped and Killed”

Daily Gamecock, 29 March, 2019 – “USD Student Missing Since Early Morning”

ABC – 2 WSB, 30 March, 2019 – “University of South Carolina Student Confirmed Dead After Vanishing”

The State, 30 March, 2019 – “Slain USCC Student Samantha Josephson was Sweet as Can Be”

ABC – 11 WHAS, 31 March, 2019 – “She Had no Chance”

ABC – 9 WSOC, 31 March, 2019 – “Slain University of South Carolina Student Suffered Numerous Wounds”

CBS – 11 KHOU, 31 March, 2019 – “Don’t Ever Forget Her Name”

The Herald-Sun, 31 March, 2019 – “She was a Gamecock”

ABC – 8 WFAA, 1 April, 2019 – “One Simple Question Can Keep you Safe”

CS – 12 WJTV, 2 April, 2019 – “South Carolina Lawmaker to Introduce Bill”

CBS – 4 KMOV, 2 April, 2019 – “It’s Going to Come to Light”

The Daily American, 2 April, 2019 – “Not the Nate Everyone Knows and Loves”

The Daily American, 2 April, 2019 – “Slain Student Remembered in NJ Hometown as Quirky, Kind-hearted”

Associated Press, 3 April, 2019 – “The Sadness Will Never End”

CBS – 11 WJHL, 3 April, 2019  – “Uber Responds to USC Student’s Death”

The Star-Ledger, 3 April, 2019 – “Hundreds Mourn Senseless Killing”

New York Post, 4 April, 2019 – “I’ll Always Love You”

The State, 5 April, 2019 – “USC Jewish Community Honors Samantha Josephson”

Anderson Independent-Mail, 10 April, 2019 – “USC to Award Posthumous Degree”

The Post and Courier, 10 April, 2019 – “House Approves Bill Requiring Lighted Uber Logos”

The Star-Ledger, 15 April, 2019 – “Parents of College Student from N.J. Killed After Mistaking Car for Uber Make National Plea”

ABC – 9 WSOC, 16 April, 201 9 – “Lyft Expands Safety Measures”

The State, 16 April, 2019 – “Columbia Mayor Proposes City Rideshare Regulations”

The Times and Democrat, 16 April, 2019 – “Murder of USC Student Unsettles Clarendon Community”

ABC – 13 WVEC, 17 April, 2019 – “NC Lawmakers Considering Bill to Upgrade Ridesharing Safety”

Ann Arbor News, 18 April, 2019 – “Uber Introduces New Safety Feature”

Daily Gamecock, 21 April, 2019 – “Bars Pledge to Get Patrons Home Safe and Sound” 

Associated Press, 23 April, 2019 – “Uber Safety Bill is Overhauled by South Carolina Lawmakers”

Associated Press, 30 April, 2019 – “SC Lawmakers Consider New Ride Share Safety Measure”

The State, 29 April, 2019 – “New Charge Filed in Kidnapping, Killing of USC Student”

ABC – 9 WSOC, 11 May, 2019 – “Slain South Carolina College Student Awarded Posthumous Degree”

CBS –  17 WNCN, 11 May, 2019 – “Slain Student Honored at SC University’s Graduation Ceremony”

CBS – 7 WSPA, 20 May, 2019 – “Uber Drivers in SC Now Need an Extra Sign”

TAPinto.net, 20 June, 2019 – “Tears Flow as Murphy Signs Law”

The Star-Ledger, 10 August, 2019 – “Uber’s New 911 Feature Rolling Out in N.J.”

The Post and Courier, 16 November, 2019 – “Grieving Father of Slain USC Student Works for Laws to Improve Ride Sharing Safety”

The Post and Courier, 28 April, 2021 – “Trial Set for Accused Killer of USC Student”

NBC – 36 WCNC, 19 July, 2021 – “Man Charged with Killing USC Student Asks for New Lawyer”

Associated Press, 20 July, 2021 – “Man Killed Student who Mistook Car  for Uber”

The State, 20 July, 2021 – “Josephson’s Former Boyfriend Describes in Testimony the Agonizing Search”

ABC – 6 WJBF, 21 July, 2021 – “Testimony Continues in Trial of Man Accused of Kidnapping, Murdering UofSC Student”

Associated Press, 21 July, 2021 – “Witnesses Testify in Trial of Man Accused in Uber Killing”

Associated Press, 22 July, 2021 – “Suspected Murder Weapon Shown”

NBC – 36 WCNC, 22 July, 2021 – “Day 4”

The State, 22 July, 2021 – “Fake Uber Trial Testimony Details How Body Found”

Associated Press, 23 July, 2021 – “Slain Uber Rider’s DNA Found Under Suspect’s Nails”

The Post and Courier, 23 July, 2021 – “Bloody Knife, Clothes Pulled from Trash”

The State, 23 July, 2021 – “SC Police Got Phone Data of Josephson’s Alleged Fake Uber”

CBS – 17 WNCN, 24 July, 2021 – “Prosecutors Try to Piece Together Suspect’s Movements”

The State, 24 July, 2021 – “Footprints, DNA Take Center Stage at Rowland’s Murder Trial”

Associated Press, 26 July, 2021 – “Defence Rests Without Witnesses”

The State, 26 July, 2021 – “Rowland Trial Live Updates”

Associated Press, 27 July, 2021 – “South Carolina Man Killed Uber Rider in 2019”

Associated Press, 27 July, 2021 – “Man Gets Life for Killing Woman Who Mistook His Car for Uber”

Daily Gamecock, 27 July, 2021 – “Samantha Josephson’s Murderer Sentenced to Life in Prison”

NBC – 3 WCNC, 27 July, 2021 – “Nathaniel Rowland Gets Life”

The Independent, 28 July, 2021 – “Mother Hits Out at Pure Evil Killer”

Further Reading:

Morbidology the Podcast – 256: Brenda Powell
Morbidology the Podcast – 57: Emani Moss
Morbidology the Podcast – 215: Evelyn & Alex Hernandez
Morbidology the Podcast – 214: Father Edward Hinds
Morbidology the Podcast – 19: Lateisha King
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