A student was kidnapped and murdered after accidentally getting into a car she thought was her Uber.
Samantha Josephson ordered the car to take her to her South Carolina home just after 2am on Friday morning.
The 21-year-old’s body was discovered in a rural woodland area later that day.
The New York Times reports that police have since arrested 24-year-old Nathaniel D. Rowland in connection with the crime.
Rowland was picked up after police noticed that he was driving a vehicle similar to the one Josephson mistook for her Uber, a black Chevrolet Impala.
When police attempted to stop the car, Rowland jumped from the vehicle and fled.
He was later apprehended and is facing charges of kidnapping and murder.
Police said they found blood on the car’s passenger side and in the boot that matched the victim. They also found bleach, window cleaner, and germicide wipes in the car.
The University of South Carolina, where Josephson was a student, has since issued a statement on behalf of president Harris Pastides.
“Times like these leave me searching for words of wisdom and comfort,” it read. “However, I take solace that the Carolina Family is here to embrace those who are hurting.”
The statement also urged students to look out for each other, travel in groups, and to download and use a safety app called RAVE.
Police have not yet released any motive for the killing, but they have urged people living in the area to report any incidents where they were “enticed” into sharing an Uber as part of a rideshare.
