Ep 6. Texts and Threats

Grave Mysteries is a true crime series that examines some of the most baffling cases of murder and mysteries. Each episode delves deep into a specific case, often revealing new evidence and insights that have never been heard before. In season 1, episode 6, titled "Texts and Threats," the show takes a look at a case that shocked the small town of St. Matthews, South Carolina.

On October 18, 2011, 19-year-old University of South Carolina student Samantha Josephson was reported missing by her friends after a night out in downtown Columbia. The investigation into her disappearance quickly became a statewide search, with community members and law enforcement officers coming together to try and find her.

As the search intensified, rumors began to swirl about Samantha's disappearance. Social media was flooded with posts from individuals claiming to have seen her or had information about her whereabouts. The case quickly gained national attention, with news outlets across the country covering the story.

Three days after she was reported missing, Samantha's body was discovered in a remote area of Clarendon County, about 70 miles from where she was last seen. The autopsy revealed that she had died from multiple sharp force injuries, and her death was ruled a homicide.

The investigation into Samantha's murder went on for months, with law enforcement officers working tirelessly to identify her killer. During this time, a suspect emerged - Nathaniel David Rowland, a 24-year-old Lexington County man who had been recently released from jail. Police had identified Rowland as the last person seen with Samantha before she disappeared, and his cell phone data placed him near the area where her body was found.

But the case against Rowland was far from straightforward. Detectives struggled to find concrete evidence linking him to the murder, and Rowland maintained his innocence from the very beginning. Complicating matters further were texts sent from Samantha's phone after her death, which seemed to be messages from her to her friends indicating that she was still alive. This led some to believe that Samantha's attackers might have taken her phone and sent the messages as part of a cover-up.

"Texts and Threats" explores the twists and turns of the investigation into Samantha's murder, including the evidence gathered against Rowland and the shocking revelations that came to light during his trial. The episode features interviews with law enforcement officers who worked on the case, as well as friends and family members of Samantha who remember her as a kind-hearted and driven individual with a bright future ahead of her.

As the show digs deeper into the case, viewers will learn about the various theories and suspects that emerged during the investigation, and the impact that Samantha's death had on her community and beyond. "Texts and Threats" is a gripping episode that highlights the complex nature of true crime investigations and the importance of perseverance and dedication in the pursuit of justice.