An 18 year old trans man from SC is looking forward to his first date and a trip to an amusement park. He is allegedly murdered by a man he met online and his girlfriend

A transgender South Carolina man is said to have been murdered by a man he left to go on a date with.

The body of 18-year-old Jacob Williamson of Laurens, South Carolina, was found on the side of the road in Pageland, South Carolina on July 4, about 7 to 10 miles from where police believe he was killed.

Williamson had been writing to a North Carolina man for the past month and a half when the two agreed to meet in person on June 30 – but Williamson never came home.

Union County authorities and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation have now arrested two suspects, Joshua Newton, 25, and his girlfriend Victoria Smith, 22, in connection with Williamson’s death.

Newton was charged with first-degree murder and obstruction of justice, while Smith was subsequently charged with obstruction of justice and aiding and abetting.

An 18-year-old transgender South Carolina man, Jacob Williamson, was murdered after going on a date with a man he had been communicating with for just over a month

Police have arrested two suspects, Joshua Newton, 25, and his girlfriend Victoria Smith, 22.

Williamson had arranged to meet Newton at a local waffle house before heading to Carowinds amusement park.

Newton reportedly drove more than 100 miles to pick up Williamson for their date, but instead of going to the amusement park, he took Williamson back to his trailer park in Monroe, North Carolina, where he allegedly killed the teenager.

Newton did not give police a clear motive for Williamson’s murder.

A family friend, Promise Edwards, revealed it WHNS that Williamson had lived with her for a month and a half after leaving his family home when some relatives appeared to have had difficulty accepting his transition.

He agreed to having his phone tracked during the date, but Edwards got concerned when the tracker suddenly went off.

Jacob Williamson’s body was found on the side of the road after a date

Edwards said she gave Williamson a safe space to be himself for the first time in his life and helped him get a job at Waffle House.

On her last call, Edwards called and asked Williamson to turn the location tracking app back on.

Edwards then called the police after Williamson stopped answering the phone or responding to her text messages.

Union County Sheriff’s Office officials said there was no evidence Williamson was murdered and targeted because of his gender identity.

A family friend, Promise Edwards, said Williamson lived with her for a month and a half after leaving his family home when some relatives could not accept his transition

Edwards had helped Williamson put his life back on track by allowing him to live with her and getting him a job at Waffle House

In pictures posted to social media, Edwards appeared to have a close bond with the teen

“My thoughts and prayers go out to the victim’s family in this case, as they begin to grieve this unimaginable loss,” Union County Sheriff Eddie Cathey said in a statement.

Edwards told it heartbroken WBTV She hopes parents will learn the lessons of Williamson’s death and be careful about who their loved ones are talking to online.

“Please tell them how unsafe it is to go online with people, how unsafe it is to get in the car with someone you don’t know, because that’s our reality now.” “Our reality is that we miss someone who never deserved to die like this,” she said.

“The last thing I told him was that I love you and I’ll see you in the morning.” “This world has been so cruel to Jacob his entire life,” Edwards said. “I find peace in knowing that he has found peace over the past month and a half.”

At least 14 transgender or gender non-conforming people have been killed in the United States in 2023 Pink Messages.