Murder suspect Nathaniel David Rowland [left], has been charged in the death of Samantha Josephson [right] after she was spotted getting into his car and later her blood and cell phone were found in his vehicle

A South Carolina man has been arrested over the murder and kidnap of a college student who mistakenly got into his car thinking it was her Uber after her blood and cell phone were found in his vehicle, police say.
University of South Carolina student Samantha Josephson went missing in Columbia early on Friday morning. She was found dead by hunters later that day. Her body was found 40 feet off a dirt road in a wooded area in Clarendon County.

Hours later Nathaniel David Rowland, 24, was arrested after being pulled over by officers driving the car she had been last seen in before trying to flee the scene on foot.
He had been stopped by Columbia police at 3 a.m. Saturday two blocks from the Five Points area.
Josephson’s blood and her cell phone were found the black Chevy Impala, as well as bleach and cleaning products, according to police. They said there was a child safety seat in the back of the car and the child safety locks were enabled meaning she would have not been able to escape.

Surveillance video allegedly shows Samantha Josephson entering the black Impala she mistook  for the Uber she ordered outside a bar in Columbia, South Carolina, early Friday morning

Friends reported watching Josephson get into the black sedan they thought was an Uber at around 2am Friday morning. When Josephson’s actual Uber driver arrived moments later, the driver cancelled the ride because she didn’t show up for the pick-up, witnesses said.
The 21-year-old student’s body was discovered hours later, and the alleged driver of the Chevy Impala, Nathaniel David Rowland, 24, subsequently arrested for her kidnapping and murder.
Surveillance video released by police caught the moment Samantha Josephson mistook a car for the Uber she ordered outside a bar in Columbia, South Carolina, early Friday morning.

After a frantic day of searching for the missing University of South Carolina student the school had earlier confirmed she was dead.
‘It is with the heaviest of hearts that I write these words this morning. Our prayers are with the family and friends of Samantha Josephson following the devastating news of her death,’ wrote President Harris Pastides in a statement.

Friends reported watching Josephson get into the black sedan they thought was an Uber at around 2am Friday morning. When Josephson’s actual Uber driver arrived moments later, the driver cancelled the ride because she didn’t show up for the pick-up, witnesses said

Samantha’s father in her hometown of Robinsville, New Jersey also confirmed her passing in a heart-wrenching Facebook post.
‘I will miss and love my baby girl for the rest of life. Samantha is no longer with us but she will not be forgotten,’ wrote Seymour Josephson, a sales manager with a technology company.
‘It is extremely hard to write this and post it but I love her with all my heart. I could continue to write about her but it kills me. I sit here and cry while looking at the picture and write this,’ Josephson continued.

Rowland [photo], was arrested after Samantha Josephson’s blood and her cell phone were found his black Chevy Impala, as well as, bleach and other cleaning products. The child safety locks were enabled on Rowland’s car meaning the victim would have not been able to escape, police said.

Samantha’s father seen [left] with her, in her hometown of Robinsville, New Jersey also confirmed her passing in a Facebook post

Columbia Police Department Chief Skip Holbrook said in a news conference Saturday: ‘She had, in fact, summoned an Uber ride. She was waiting for that Uber ride to come, we believe. She simply mistakenly got into this car thinking it was an Uber ride.’
‘Our hearts are broken, they’re broken. There is nothing tougher than to stand before a family and explain how a loved one was murdered. It was gut wrenching, words really can’t describe what they’re going through.’
Holbrook did not take questions and did not elaborate on a motive or how Josephson died.
It is understood another woman, who knew Rowland, was in the car with him at the time of his arrest and is said to be cooperating with police, Timmons said.
After a frantic day of searching for the missing University of South Carolina student the school had earlier confirmed she was dead.

Security footage appears to show Samantha getting into Rowland’s black Chevy Impala at around 2am on Friday. He was arrested driving the car, police say

Samantha [photo], was out with friends and got into a car she thought was her Uber when she disappeared

Police say the suspect previously lived in the area where Samantha’s body was found.
According to Uber, the company does urge riders to check that the details of the driver and the car match the information in the app, which provides the driver’s name and photo, as well as the make and model of the car and a license plate number.
Drivers are also provided the rider’s name and should be able to specify who they are picking up when asked.

‘In cases when you are helping someone request a ride through Uber who may have had a few drinks or is unfamiliar with the app, help them double-check that the driver and vehicle match the details in the app — before they get in the car,’ wrote Wade Stormer, Uber’s law enforcement liaison, in a blog post.
‘Taking the extra step to double-check these details is an important safety measure,’ he continued.