
Preferred Name | Jacob Williamson | City | Pageland | ||
Other Names Used | State | SC | |||
Age | 18 | Gender Identity | Transman | ||
Race | White | Date of Death | 06/30/2023 |
Click to See Legal Name
Kierstyn Williamson
Crime Category: Domestic Violence | Weapon Used: Unknown
On June 30th, 2023 in Pageland, SC, Jacob met a man, Joshua Newton, he had an online relationship with for about a month prior. Newton picked Jacob up after work and drive him two hours away to his home where he was killed. No additional information is available.
Report: “Union County, North Carolina sheriff’s deputies said they began investigating the disappearance of Jacob Williamson on Sunday. Williamson was reported missing by family members in Laurens, South Carolina after being last seen or heard from on the evening of June 30.
Investigators said Williamson had been talking to a man online, and that the two planned to meet in person for the first time Friday night. They said Joshua Newton picked Williamson near the restaurant where the 18-year-old worked in Laurens and drove the victim back to his home in Monroe — more two hours away.
Family and friends had started to worry when they didn’t hear from Williamson, and Union County deputies were told Williamson might have been with Newton at his home.
“I think they had planned on meeting up and spend some time together on a date and that’s where [Williamson] met him. That was the plan,” said Union County Lt. James Maye,”
Report: “[Police] are not investigating the killing as a hate crime. And those who were closest to him have said they don’t see indications the violence was due his gender identity.”
Report: “According to Fox Carolina, citing the sheriff’s office, a family member told deputies that Williamson had agreed to meet Newton on Facebook, arranging to be picked up by Newton at a Waffle House before going to Carowinds, an amusement park that straddles the state border.
It reported the person said Williamson had remained in contact after leaving home, but stopped responding after 11:40 p.m. ET on June 30.”
Report: “We believe that the dating relationship led to some comfort between Newton and Miss Williamson, which ultimately led to her getting in the car with Josh that night,” Union County Sheriff’s Lt. James Maye told WSPA, adding family members knew she was leaving with Newton. “There was just a perception that this was a dating relationship type thing, they were going on a date, and ultimately it ended up in her death, sadly.”
Last Report Update: 08/23/2023: Murder suspects livestreamed before, after killing teen in Union County.
“Joshua Newton said three words — “It was fun” — as he danced during a livestream on the social media app LiveMe.”
Location: Mangum School Road. Pageland, SC
Personal Information:
According to friends, Jacob was transitioning at the time of his death. He lived in Laurens, SC.
Family: “[Williamson] was a very, very, trusting … didn’t see the evil in the world. That didn’t register with [Williamson], that wasn’t a thing,”
Friend: “I’d give anything to walk in and see you sitting in your chair in the corner playing on your phone,” she wrote. “You deserved more than what this cruel world gave you… I am so proud of you for accomplishing so much in the last weeks of your life. My heart will never be the same…”

Murder Suspect:

Joshua Dwayne Newton
25 | White
Birthdate: 1998
Motive: Unknown
Charged: Murder
Hate Crime: Unknown
Last Public Update: 08/08/2023
Current Status: Awaiting Trial
Arrest Date: 07/04/2023
Union County, SC

Victoria Smith
22 | White
Motive: Unknown
Charged: Murder
Hate Crime: Unknown
Last Public Update: 08/08/2023
Current Status: Awaiting Trial
Arrest Date: 07/04/2023
Union County, SC
Newtown and Smith were in a relationship and it is alleged Smith helped Newton with the murder and/or hiding of the body. No motive has been released.
Report: “Joshua Newton, 25, was charged last month with first-degree murder and obstruction of justice in the death of 18-year-old Jacob Williamson. According to the Union County Sheriff’s Office last week, Newton is now also charged with felony conspiracy. His girlfriend, Victoria Smith, 22, now faces charges of murder and conspiracy to commit a felony on top of initial obstruction of justice and accessory after the fact charges, according to jail records.
Williamson had told Edwards [friend he was living with] he’d met a man online and she recalls the two were in constant communication — texting, calling and FaceTiming every day. Although nervous, Edwards eventually agreed to support Williamson going on a date to Carowinds. Edwards watched him get into Newton’s car after his shift at Waffle House that day, she’s previously told the Observer and detectives.”
08/08/2023: Prosecutors will seek a grand jury indictment, which would move the case to Superior Court, according to the District Attorney’s office.
Union County District Court, NC does not currently have records available online (3/13/2024).
News Timeline: 07/05/2023 | 07/06/2023 | 07/07/2023 | 07/07/2023 | 07/11/2023 | 08/08/2023 | 08/23/2023
ABC News. (2023, July 7). Teen found dead after online date – Jacob Williamson. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbImLR2FinM
Coin, J. (2023, August 8). Grand jury to hear case of SC transgender teen murdered on date 2 hours from home – Jacob Williamson. The Charlotte Observer. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/state/north-carolina/article278072447.html
Factora, J. (2023, July 11). An 18-Year-Old Trans Man Was Killed in South Carolina – Jacob Williamson. Them. https://www.them.us/story/jacob-williamson-south-carolina-murder
Goetz, H. (2023a, July 6). 2 in custody after missing 18-year-old found dead along South Carolina road – Jacob Williamson. WSOC-TV. https://www.wsoctv.com/news/local/2-custody-after-missing-18-year-old-found-dead-union-county/ONZJYMZMIRBI3CJPXXIF43QTNA/
Goetz, H. (2023b, August 23). Murder suspects livestreamed before, after allegedly killing teen in Union County – Jacob Williamson. WSOC-TV9. https://www.wsoctv.com/news/local/murder-suspects-livestreamed-before-after-allegedly-killing-teen-union-county/QBDKEJKVBZB7VOELINGILLYZGE/
Joshua Newton – Arrests.org – Jacob Williamson. (2023, July 4). Arrests.Org. https://northcarolina.arrests.org/search.php?fname=Joshua&fpartial=True&lname=Newton
Kandel, J. (2023, July 7). ‘You ripped our hearts out’: Family lashes out at suspects arrested after body of missing 18-year-old found along road after meeting online date: Police – Jacob Williamson. Law&Crime. https://lawandcrime.com/crime/you-ripped-our-hearts-out-family-lashes-out-at-suspects-arrested-after-body-of-missing-18-year-old-found-along-road-after-meeting-online-date-police/
Koulouris, C. (2023, July 5). Missing 18yr old Laurens woman murdered during online dating meet up – Jacob Williamson. Scallywag & Vagabond. https://scallywagandvagabond.com/2023/07/kierstyn-williamson-missing-laurens-s-c-woman-murdered-two-arrested/
Phillips, A. (2023, July 7). Transgender Teen Killed After Going on Date in South Carolina, Police Say – Jacob Williamson. Newsweek. https://www.newsweek.com/jacob-williamson-murder-south-carolina-1811489
Queen City News. (2023, July 5). Body of missing 18-year-old found, 2 arrested: Sheriff – Jacob Williamson. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pktLk7MiU7M
Ring, T. (2023, July 7). South Carolina Trans Teen Killed; Man He Met for Date Charged With Murder – Jacob Williamson. Advocate. https://www.advocate.com/crime/trans-teen-jacob-williamson-killed
Smith, K. (2023, July 11). HRC Grieves Loss of Jacob Williamson, Teenage Transgender Man, Killed in North Carolina. Human Rights Campaign. https://www.hrc.org/news/hrc-grieves-loss-of-jacob-williamson-teenage-transgender-man-killed-in-south-carolina
Victoria Smith – Arrests.org – Jacob WIlliamson. (2023, July 4). Arrests.Org. https://northcarolina.arrests.org/search.php?fname=Victoria&fpartial=True&lname=Smith
WBTV News – Charlotte. (2023a, July 7). Warrants Offer New Details About SC Teen Killed In Union County – Jacob Williamson. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7d-Ur2dSAE
WBTV News – Charlotte. (2023b, August 4). 2nd Suspect Now Charged With Murder After SC Teen Found Dead In Union County – Jacob Williamson. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNkSmnkOG_o
WBTV Web Staff. (2023, August 3). 2nd suspect now charged with murder after SC teen found dead in Union Co. – Jacob Williamson. WBTV3. https://www.wbtv.com/2023/08/03/2nd-suspect-now-charged-with-murder-after-sc-teen-found-dead-union-co/
WYFF News 4. (2023, July 24). Friends and loved ones gather after SC teen was killed – Jacob Williamson. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_-_AeCVDYo
Images are publicly available through public sources, personal posts, family members and information websites as well as stills from cited videos and news websites. Images are digitally enhanced for artistic purposes. All information is accurate to the best of the author’s knowledge at time of publishing. Updates will be made as needed.