They Livestreamed After the Murder—Now They’re Charged with Killing Jacob Williamson

On Sunday, July 2, 2023, 18 year old Jacob Williamson was reported missing by their family in Lawrence, South Carolina. No one had seen or heard from Jacob since the night of Friday, June 30th. Jacob had met a, uh, 25 year old man named Joshua Newton on Facebook about a month earlier. They’d been talking online for about a month and eventually made plans to go to Carowinds, an amusement park. That Friday night around 8pm Joshua drove about two hours from Monroe, North Carolina to Lawrence and picked Jacob up from a Waffle House off 221 North. Jacob texted family after leaving and kept in constant contact. But those messages suddenly stopped after 11:40pm as hours turned into two days with no word from Jacob, their family filed a missing person report. Welcome to Love and Murder, heartbreak to Homicide. We are Kai’s AI co hosts, bringing you your Wednesday and Friday cases that Kai writes. I’m Gein, joined by Jessica and Jensen who will be reading some quotes throughout the case. We invite you to take a seat and take a listen to this episode all the way to the end. And if you like our retelling, then go ahead and subscribe on whatever platform you’re listening on. You can also subscribe to the Patreon for free, where you do get some benefits as a free subscriber. Patreon.com loveandmurder but if you want bonus cases and to help Kai be a voice of the victim, then sign up to one of our bonus tiers. Patreon.com loveandmurder now, without further interruption, let’s get back to the case of the murder of Jacob Williamson. The person who initiated the report also told investigators that Jacob might be at a home on Bethpage Lane in Monroe. That tip was passed to the Union County Sheriff’s Office, who launched an extensive investigation. Lieutenant James May of the Union County Sheriff’s Office said Jacob willingly got into Joshua’s car that night, thinking they were going on a date. One source said Jacob’s family had advised them not to go. But after talking online for weeks, there was clearly a level of comfort there. Investigators later confirmed that Joshua had picked Jacob up from the Waffle House and brought them back to his house in Monroe. That public meeting spot might have given Jacob, uh, a false sense of security. Over the next 36 hours, detectives, deputies and crime scene teams worked around the clock. The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation joined the case. The search focused on Joshua’s home in the 500 block of Bethpage Lane. Then on the afternoon of Tuesday, July 4, after 36 hours of an extensive search, it came to a tragic end. Jacob’s body was found about 10 miles from Joshua’s home off Mangum school road in rural South Carolina, just past the state line. The body was dumped roughly 20ft from the road. The exact cause of death hasn’t been released yet, pending autopsy results. Based on evidence, investigators believe Joshua killed Jacob at his home. Police also determined that Joshua’s live in girlfriend, 22 year old Victoria Smith, had actively participated in the clean up after the murder. She allegedly helped move Jacob’s body. Local news later revealed something disturbing. Joshua and Victoria livestreamed on a platform called Live me both before and after Jacob’s alleged murder. In one part, Joshua is seen dancing.

And saying it was fun.

They told viewers Joshua hurt his hand that morning. Victoria says, quote, me and him got in an argument and he bust his hands. While Joshua laughs and adds, they kept.

Asking me what my pain tolerance was. I was like zero.

At one point, a deputy can be heard off camera asking Joshua his name.

Your name is Josh Newman, right?

To which Joshua says, no, it’s Newton. Lieutenant May later said, we do believe.

That there was a plan to unfortunately take the life of Williamson.

Jacob’s uncle Chad Bible said, you don’t.

Just go out of town one day and decide, one day I’m going to go out of town, pick somebody up and kill them. That doesn’t just pop into your head. Why? What did it do? What did you prove? You’re throwing your life away and you ripped our hearts out.

Both Joshua and Victoria were arrested on July 4th. Joshua was charged with first degree murder and obstruction of justice. Victoria was initially charged with obstruction and accessory after the fact. But by early August, her, huh, charges were upgraded. She now faces first degree murder and felony conspiracy. Sheriff Eddie Cathy said, my thoughts go.

Out to the family of the victim in this case as they begin to mourn this unimaginable loss. Over the past several days, the men and women of the Union County Sheriff’s office have, uh, fully dedicated themselves to this case and ensuring the people responsible for this tragic loss were brought to justice.

Even with the arrests, there are still unanswered questions. How exactly was Jacob killed? Why was Jacob targeted? Hopefully the autopsy results will be able to fill in those gaps. Promise Edwards, a longtime family friend who had known Jacob since birth, said, I.

Want them to suffer like they made Jacob suffer, like we suffer every day without Jacob. When they close their eyes, I want them to see Jacob’s face for the rest of their life. But when they open their eyes, I want them to see my face and and no, I’m not going anywhere.

Jacob’s murder is a heartbreaking example of the dangers that come with online dating. Especially for young people, the move from chatting online to meeting in person can be the most dangerous part. Studies show 39% of people ages 25 to 34 have shared intimate images with someone they’ve never met in real life. Unfortunately, this openness is frequently exploited through various forms of abuse, and nearly half of people surveyed said they’ve experienced or know someone affected by intimate image abuse. Jacob trusted someone they’d only known online, and it ended in tragedy. Many dating platforms still don’t do proper background checks. In 2021, Match Group partnered with Garbo to offer screenings on their apps, but that fell apart just two years later. Garbo cited significant headwinds and lack of commitment from their tech partners. Without real screening, it’s easy for predators to gain access to potential victims, just like Joshua did. We also need stronger education around consent, boundaries and red flags Safety experts say it’s critical to meet in public places. Tell someone where you’re going and stay sober. Maybe if Jacob had known more about how to stay safe, or if someone had stepped in, this could have been prevented. As of now, both Joshua and Victoria Ah are due in court on September 5. The investigation is still active and the legal process is ongoing.

What did you think of this case? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Meeting someone online can be both exciting and risky. It’s important to be aware of the potential dangers. Recognize red flags and take steps to protect yourself. Here are some red flags to watch out if the person you’re talking to provides inconsistent or vague information about themselves, it could be a sign that they’re not being truthful. If someone is pressuring you to meet in person, quickly or in a private location, this is a major red flag. If the person consistently avoids video calls or refuses to show their face, they might be hiding their true identity.

How to avoid being Always choose public places for your first few meetings. This ensures that there are other people around, which can deter any potential harmful intentions. Inform a friend or family member about your plans, including who you’re meeting, where and when. Share your location with them if possible. Avoid consuming alcohol or drugs, as this can impair your judgment and make you more vulnerable if something feels off. Trust your gut and remove yourself from the situation.

Here are some alternatives to meeting someone online. Attend social events, clubs or groups that align with your interests. This can be a great way to meet like minded people in a safe environment. Ask friends to introduce you to people they know and trust. This can provide an added layer of security. Participate in community activities or volunteer work. This not only helps you meet new people, but also contributes to a good cause. By being aware of the potential dangers and taking proactive steps to protect yourself, you can enjoy the benefits of meeting new people while minimizing the risks. Stay safe.

Thanks for listening and I hope this episode can help at least one person. We’ll see you in the next case.