The New Jersey hometown of Samantha Josephson will gather Tuesday evening to say goodbye to the University of South Carolina college student, who authorities say was killed by a stranger in South Carolina after mistaking his car for an Uber ride.

Robbinsville officials announced Monday a vigil will be held for Josephson at the West Town Center Lake Gazebo at 7 p.m. Her funeral takes place Wednesday.

Josephson, 21, was a senior at the University of South Carolina in Columbia who was hoping to start law school at Drexel University in the fall.

Police said Saturday that Josephson had been out with friends in downtown Columbia and arranged for an Uber ride through the ride-sharing app around 2 a.m. Friday. But the black Impala she got into by accident was not her ride, and the alleged driver, Nathaniel David Rowland, 24, is now charged with kidnapping and murdering her.

Her friends reported her missing Friday afternoon, and her body was found 70 miles away a few hours later, police said.

They arrested Rowland Saturday after an officer pulled his car over, police said. They found blood in the passenger area and trunk of the car that was later determined to be Josephson’s, along with her cell phone, police said.

Warrants from the State Law Enforcement Division said Josephson had wounds on her head, neck, face, upper body, leg and foot.

Nathaniel David Rowland is charged with kidnapping and murder of Samantha Josephson of Robbinsville. (Columbia Police Department)

In a court hearing, her mother, Marci Josephson read a statement that condemned Rowland and mourned the young woman nicknamed “sweet pea” by her family.

“Let me tell you about my daughter. Samantha was bubbly, loving, kind and full of life. She had a plan. She worked hard, was graduating from college in May and starting law school in September," Marci Josephson read, according to multiple media reports. "Unlike him, Samantha valued human life and could never harm another soul. Unlike him, Samantha had love within her heart and purpose in her life, the life he brutally ended. He took away our daughter, a sister, a granddaughter, a niece, a cousin and a friend to so many. His selfish, unspeakable and violent actions have created a hole in the universe.”

At a vigil at the University of South Carolina for his daughter, Josephson’s father, Seymour Josephson, told the college students not to travel alone, according to multiple media reports.

“She absolutely had no chance in this, but if there’s someone else in the car, there’s actually a chance,” he said.

Seymour Josephson with his daughter, Samantha, who was killed Saturday in South Carolina. (Facebook)

Robbinsville Mayor Dave Fried and Police Chief Chris Nitti will speak to the media about Josephson’s death at 6 p.m. at the municipal building before the vigil begins at 7 p.m. Lake Drive will be closed to traffic in the area starting at 6 p.m.

Staff writer Anthony G. Attrino contributed to this report.

Rebecca Everett may be reached at reverett@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @rebeccajeverett. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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