21-year-old USC student reported missing, last seen in Five Points

A 21-year-old University of South Carolina student is missing and Special Victims Unit investigators with the Columbia Police Department are trying to find her, Chief Skip Holbrook announced Friday night.

According to police, Samantha Josephson was last seen by friends between 1:30 and 2 a.m. Friday at 715 Harden St. in Five Points.

“When she didn’t show up at her downtown residence and didn’t answer repeated phone calls, her friends became concerned and notified CPD,” police said in a statement.

Josephson is a political science major from Robbinsville, New Jersey, according to close friend Jordyn Spencer.

On Friday night, Spencer was in Five Points handing out Josephson’s photo, asking for any help finding her or the dark-colored car (possible a Chevrolet Impala) that she was last seen getting into shortly after 2 a.m.

Spencer said she and other friends who were with Josephson on Thursday night and believe the USC senior got into the wrong car after calling a ride share service.

“We’re making sure everyone is checking their (ride share service car) before they get in,” Spencer said.

Josephson is set to graduate in May and go to Drexel University in Philadelphia for law school, Spencer said.

Posts about Josephson being missing are spreading over social media. A post by Spencer has already garnered over 600 shares as of Friday night.

People are sending supportive messages to the inner circle of folks who are now missing their friend.

Josephson is described as being 5-foot-7 and weighing approximately 145 pounds. She has long brown hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information can contact Crimestoppers: Call 1-888-CRIME-SC. Visit www.midlandscrimestoppers.com, and click on the red “Submit a tip” tab. Or download the new P3 Tips App for Apple or Android devices.

This story was originally published March 29, 2019 at 9:01 PM.