Two people have been apprehended in connection with the murder of an 18-year-old from South Carolina, who disappeared last week while on a date with someone they had met online.
According to North Carolina’s Union County Sheriff’s Office, Jacob Williamson’s family reported their relative missing on Sunday morning, July 2. Following a tip that Williamson might be at a house in Monroe, North Carolina, the sheriff’s office initiated a search. Authorities noted that Williamson had not been seen or heard from since Friday evening, June 30.
Before the disappearance, Williamson had been communicating online with a man for roughly a month and had arranged to meet him in person for their first date, according to the sheriff’s office. Allegedly, Joshua Newton visited the restaurant where Williamson worked in Laurens, South Carolina, and later drove Williamson back home in Monroe, over two hours away.
On Wednesday, July 5, the sheriff’s office discovered a body believed to be Williamson’s on the side of a road a few miles from Newton’s residence.
Both Joshua Newton, 25, and his live-in girlfriend, Victoria Smith, 22, were arrested in relation to the case. Police suspect Newton of murdering Williamson, with Smith allegedly helping him hide the body. Newton has been charged with obstruction of justice and first-degree murder, while Smith faces charges of obstruction of justice and being an accessory after the fact.
A family friend said that Williamson was born with the first name of Kierstyn but began transitioning to a man, including changing his first name to Jacob.
The investigation into the homicide is currently ongoing.
