Murder suspects livestreamed before, after allegedly killing teen in Union County
The couple accused of plotting and killing an 18-year-old from South Carolina was seen livestreaming for hours before and after the alleged crime in Union County.
A viewer sent Channel 9 video that Reporter Hannah Goetz has been looking into for weeks.
Now, investigators tell Goetz they’ve confirmed the suspects were livestreaming after investigators say they murdered Jacob Williamson, and even when deputies arrived at their door.
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Joshua Newton said three words -- “It was fun” -- as he danced during a livestream on the social media app LiveMe.
He and girlfriend Victoria Smith explained to their followers that he had to get stitches on his hand that morning.
“Me and him got in an argument and he bust his hands,” she said.
“They kept asked me what my pain tolerance was. I was like zero,” Newton said, laughing.
“Because we have no pain, he literally didn’t feel it,” Smith said.
You can also see Newton had a black eye, which matches the one in his mug shot. Union County deputies confirmed those injuries are the same ones they noted in their investigation.
They also confirmed the videos were made the weekend of July 1, which is when Williamson was killed.
Williamson was last seen by friends and family on Friday, June 30 in Laurens, South Carolina. Investigators said Newton picked him up for a date. They said the two had been talking online for weeks and that Newton brought Williamson back to his home in Monroe, North Carolina.
Williamson told family friends he would talk to them Saturday morning, but they never heard from him.
Videos show Newton and Smith livestreaming for hours, talking to online friends that Saturday and Sunday as Union County deputies started looking for Williamson.
In one video facing the ceiling, you can hear someone questioning Newton.
“Your name is Josh Newman right?” they ask.
“No, Newton.”
The Union County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that was one of their deputies at the start of the investigation Sunday. The deputy described Jacob and asked a few questions. Newton offered future help to the deputy, and it was all while his followers watched.
“If you need anything let us know,” you can hear, and then Newton says, “Yeah, let us know” before the deputy thanks them.
The following Tuesday, investigators found Jacob’s body a few miles from Newton’s house and issued warrants for Newton and Smith’s arrest. Investigators believe the two planned the killing before they picked Jacob up.
The case remains under investigation.
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