UPDATE: Man mistaken for Uber driver charged with kidnapping, killing college student from N.J.

A 21-year-old University of South Carolina college student from New Jersey is dead after she was reported missing in Columbia, South Carolina, according to her family and school officials.

Samantha Josephson, of Robbinsville, was last seen around 2 a.m. on Friday near the USC campus, the Columbia Police Department said. Police said she was with friends before she got into a Chevrolet Impala. She was reported missing after her friends couldn’t get in touch with her.

“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.

News of her death was reported early Saturday on social media by her father and later confirmed in a statement from the university. Police have not released any details of the circumstances surrounding her death.

Cont’d: Special Victims Unit investigators believe that shortly after 2:00 a.m., Josephson was seen getting into this newer model Chevy Impala along Harden Street. Family & friends have been trying to locate her ever since. Again, call @MidlandsCrime 1-888-CRIME-SC w/your tips. pic.twitter.com/3211Wjx6PK — Columbia Police Dept (@ColumbiaPDSC) March 30, 2019

“Samantha is no longer with us,” her father posted on Facebook Saturday morning.

“I will miss and love my baby girl for the rest of life,” Seymour Josephson wrote. “It is extremely hard to write this and post it but I love her with all my heart. I could continue to write about her but it kills me. I sit here and cry while looking at the picture and write this.”

It is with tremendous sadness and of a broken heart that I post this! I will miss and love my baby girl for the rest... Posted by Seymour Josephson on Saturday, March 30, 2019

“Our prayers are with the family and friends of Samantha Josephson following the devastating news of her death,” USC President Harris Pastides said in a statement. “Times like these leave me searching for words of wisdom and comfort. However, I take solace that the Carolina Family is here to embrace those who are hurting.”

NJ Advance Media reached out to the Columbia Police Department but they did not release additional information.

Local news outlets reported that Josephson was set to graduate in May with a political science degree. She had planned to go to Drexel University law school in Philadelphia.

The Robbinsville Township Facebook page posted a message expressing condolences to the family on behalf of Mayor Dave Fried and other township officials.

“Our thoughts, prayers, boundless grief and endless support are with Seymour, Marci and Sydney at this unimaginable time,” the message said.

Cassidy Grom may be reached at cgrom@njadvancemedia.com Follow her at @cassidygrom.