Murder With My Husband

Episode 303: The Fake Uber Homicide – The Murder of Samantha Josephson
Release Date: January 12, 2026
Hosts: Peyton Moreland & Garrett Moreland

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the tragic murder of Samantha Josephson, a University of South Carolina student whose life was abruptly stolen after she entered a car she mistook for her Uber. Peyton and Garrett unravel Samantha’s story, from her bright future and the night of her disappearance to the relentless police investigation and the subsequent trial of her killer. The case became a national touchstone for rideshare safety and led to significant changes in legislation.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Implicit Trust in Everyday Life

• [05:01] Peyton: Discusses how much we trust common systems like doctors’ offices, social media, and rideshare services without much scrutiny.
  • “Are you diligent about checking the license plate to make sure you know it's the model, it's the correct one? Do you always make sure the driver matches their pictures and knows your first name?”
• The conversation sets the stage for how easily systems designed for convenience can be exploited with tragic results.

Samantha Josephson’s Background

• [05:26] Peyton: Samantha was a responsible, ambitious, and beloved senior at USC, originally from New Jersey.
• She was accepted to law school at Drexel and had a devoted boyfriend, Greg, also heading to law school.
• Samantha was celebrated by friends for her drive and was just months from graduation.

Night of the Disappearance (March 29, 2019)

• Samantha and friends went out to celebrate in Columbia’s Five Points district.
• [08:50] Peyton: At around 2AM, Samantha left the Bird Dog Bar alone, ordering an Uber to get home safe after a call with her boyfriend. Greg tracked her phone but saw it stopped moving unexpectedly.

The Search and the Discovery

• Samantha never arrived home, missed her work shift, and was quickly reported missing by her roommate.
• [14:13] Police involvement escalated rapidly, leading to parents making a frantic drive and receiving a vague, worrying call from police.
• Samantha’s body was discovered by turkey farmers 14 hours after she was last seen, 65 miles away, heavily mutilated and difficult to identify.
  • [14:51] Peyton: “Her wounds are actually so severe, police are having a hard time identifying her.”

Investigation & Piecing Together the Crime

• The autopsy revealed Samantha was stabbed approximately 120 times, with numerous defensive wounds.
  • [20:03] Peyton: “Pathologists find that Samantha's been stabbed...approximately 120 times.”
• Surveillance footage outside the bar detailed how Samantha entered the wrong car—a Chevy Impala, not her awaited Uber.
  • [22:42] Peyton: “They see Samantha...waiting for her Uber...she approaches a car, realizes it's not her Uber...then another dark colored car pulls up and Samantha walks over, opens the back door and gets in. Then the vehicle drives off.”
• The Impala was seen circling and targeting Samantha, then leaving the area.

The Killer: Nathaniel Rowland

• After using Samantha’s ATM card and driving through a Wendy’s, Nathaniel Rowland became the primary suspect.
• [27:24] Peyton: Officer Jeffrey Kraft, searching for the Impala, found and pulled it over. Nathaniel ran but was caught.
• Rowland was from New Zion—the small town where Samantha’s body was found—connecting him to the scene.
  • [33:32] Peyton: “...if Nathaniel is the one who killed Samantha, it means he dropped her body off there last night and then drove back to Columbia...Was he hunting, looking for another victim?”

Evidence and Arrest

• Police found extensive evidence in the car: Samantha’s belongings, copious blood, cleaning supplies, and a bloody footprint on the inside of the back window (indicating attempted escape).
  • [34:22] Peyton: “Almost like someone was trying to kick their way out of the car.”
• Nathaniel claimed someone else had borrowed his car, but mounting forensic and eyewitness evidence stacked against him.

The Trial and Witnesses

• Nathaniel’s girlfriend, Maria Howard, testified about his panic, attempts to clean his car, and disposal of bloody clothing and the murder weapon at her home.
• Maria revealed chilling details, including Nathaniel’s threats and evasions when she questioned him.
  • [39:46] Peyton: “...he mentioned something about how the visor had blood on it and I needed to get rid of it.”
• Samantha’s cellphone was pawned by Nathaniel, further cementing his involvement.

The Verdict & Aftermath

• Forensic evidence—Samantha’s DNA under Nathaniel’s fingernails and on his belongings—closed any doubts.
  • [42:15] Peyton: “...the murder weapon was found in his home...all belonging to him had Samantha's DNA on it.”
• Nathaniel Rowland was convicted of murder and kidnapping in under 70 minutes of jury deliberation; sentenced to life without parole.
• The Josephson family—especially Samantha’s mother and father—gave heartbreaking victim impact statements.
  • [43:24] Peyton (quoting): “Her dreams were my dreams, and her death was my death...I feel what she endured at his hands.”
  • [43:33] Peyton (quoting father): “To me, the monster has stolen that bright light, this enthusiasm for life out of me.”

Motive and Lingering Questions

• There was no evidence Samantha and Nathaniel knew each other and no clear motive; Samantha wasn’t sexually assaulted, and the brutality suggested more than just a robbery.
  • [43:58] Peyton: “If the motive was robbery, the murder that followed was...gruesome and uncharacteristic of what we see following robberies gone wrong.”
  • [44:22] Peyton: Speculates if Rowland was a serial killer in the making.

Legislation & Advocacy: The Positive Change

• Samantha’s case catalyzed the Samantha L. Josephson Ride Sharing Safety Act in South Carolina and, by 2023, similar laws nationwide.
  • [45:17] Peyton: “It was called the Samantha L. Josephson Ride Sharing Safety Act. Since then, the law has sparked national change...all rideshare drivers nationally to display illuminated signs and scannable QR codes to verify their identity.”
• The What’s My Name Foundation was formed, promoting rideshare safety through the SAMI acronym:
  • S: Stop before you request a ride; consider safety features.
  • A: Ask the driver, “What’s my name?” before entering.
  • M: Match the license plate, make, and model.
  • I: Inform a friend by sharing your ride details.
  • [46:06] Peyton: “It uses Sammy's name as an acronym...That is Sammy's acronym now, because Samantha's story shouldn't be a cautionary tale.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [13:14] Peyton: “She’s extremely responsible. She takes her commitment seriously. She wouldn’t have done this.”
• [20:03] Peyton: “Pathologists find that Samantha’s been stabbed...approximately 120 times.”
• [22:42] Peyton: (Describing security footage) “She approaches a car, realizes it’s not her Uber...then another dark colored car pulls up and Samantha walks over, opens the back door and gets in.”
• [34:22] Peyton: “Almost like someone was trying to kick their way out of the car.”
• [43:24] Peyton (quoting Marcy, Samantha’s mom): “Her dreams were my dreams, and her death was my death. I close my eyes and I feel what she endured at his hands...haunting her father...‘To me, the monster has stolen that bright light...out of me.’”
• [46:06] Peyton: “It uses Sammy’s name as an acronym...Stop, Ask, Match, Inform.”

Timestamps: Important Segments

• [05:00–08:50]: Samantha’s background and academic achievements
• [08:50–13:00]: Disappearance, boyfriend tracks phone, early search
• [14:13–15:45]: Discovery of body and initial grief
• [19:03–20:28]: Autopsy results and discussion of the violence
• [22:40–25:08]: Security footage, the fake Uber, and key investigative leads
• [27:24–29:09]: Police spot the suspect’s Impala and apprehend Nathaniel Rowland
• [33:32–35:07]: Forensic evidence, the child safety lock, and the investigation tightens
• [39:07–41:30]: Maria Howard’s testimony and evidence collection
• [42:15–43:33]: Verdict and emotional statements by Samantha’s family
• [45:17–46:06]: The passing of “Samantha’s Law” and the creation of the What’s My Name Foundation

Tone and Dynamics

Peyton narrates with compassion and meticulous detail, focusing on Samantha’s life and the ramifications of her murder on her family and the community. Garrett interjects with honest, sometimes emotional reactions that echo the audience’s horror and confusion about the brutality and seeming lack of motive in the case.

Final Thoughts

The episode is a moving recount of a senseless crime that spurred meaningful reform. Peyton and Garrett handle Samantha’s story with respect, emphasizing both the magnitude of the loss and the importance of the resulting changes for rideshare passenger safety. The case stands as a somber reminder to remain vigilant in our daily routines and highlights the positive power of advocacy born from tragedy.

Summary prepared for those seeking a thorough understanding of this episode without listening. For more on rideshare safety, visit whatsmyname.org.