PAGELAND, SC: Jacob Williamson, an 18-year-old transgender man, was found dead on July 4 near the side of a road in Pageland, approximately seven miles away from the location where authorities believe he was killed. The incident unfolded after Williamson left home to meet a man he had been corresponding with for a month and a half, intending to have their first date at an amusement park.

Following the discovery of Williamson's body, authorities from Union County, North Carolina, and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation took swift action and apprehended two suspects in connection with the young man's death. Joshua Newton, 25, faces charges of first-degree murder and obstruction of justice, while his girlfriend, Victoria Smith, 22, has been charged with obstruction of justice and accessory after the fact.

Who was Jacob Williamson?

Williamson had arranged to meet Newton at a local Waffle House before proceeding to Carowinds amusement park. However, Newton allegedly deviated from their plans and brought Williamson back to his trailer park home in Monroe, North Carolina, where the tragedy unfolded. The motive and manner of Williamson's murder remain unclear, as Newton did not provide a clear explanation to the police.

A family friend, Promise Edwards, disclosed that Williamson had been residing with her for a month and a half after leaving his family's home due to difficulties in accepting his transitioning. Edwards had been offering him a safe and supportive environment and even helped him secure a job at Waffle House. During the ill-fated date, Edwards became concerned when Williamson's phone location tracking suddenly turned off. She called the police after her attempts to reach him went unanswered.

'This world was so cruel to Jacob his entire life!'

Union County Sheriff Eddie Cathey expressed his condolences to the victim's family, stating, "My thoughts and prayers go out to the family of the victim in this case as they begin to mourn this unimaginable loss." In the aftermath of this devastating incident, Edwards hopes that parents and loved ones can learn from Williamson's tragic fate and become more vigilant about their family members' online interactions.

"Please express to them how unsafe it is to go with people online, how unsafe it is to get in the car with anybody that you do not know because this is our reality now. Our reality is missing somebody that never deserved to go away like this," she said. "The last thing I told him is that I love you, see you in the morning. This world was so cruel to Jacob his entire life," Edwards said. "I find peace in knowing that in the last month and a half, he found peace."