North Carolina college student’s body found in trunk of car by tow truck driver

A North Carolina man is in custody for allegedly killing a college student and stuffing her body in the trunk of a car — leaving it to be discovered by the tow truck driver who scooped up the abandoned vehicle.

Jordan Isaiah Thomas, 39, was charged Monday with murdering 19-year-old Amarriah Smith, a student at Elizabeth City State University, according to the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation.

Smith’s body was found five days earlier inside a car owned by Thomas that was towed out of a private parking lot in Washington, a city 100 miles east of Raleigh.

Thomas allegedly dumped the car before stealing another truck that was parked nearby, fleeing to a local hospital where he was arrested.

Police believe Thomas killed Smith at another location, which has yet to be determined, though evidence was found at his home in Edenton, more than 50 miles from where he is accused of ditching Smith’s body and 30 miles from where Smith attended school.

The cause of death — and the relationship between the pair — has not yet been released, but police said Thomas and Smith knew one another.

Just days before her death, Smith chillingly wrote on Facebook: “Everything that comes to you, isn’t always for you. Keep your eyes on the prize.”

According to her family, Smith was a sophomore at Elizabeth City State University and was studying to become an elementary school teacher.

The historically Black public institution mourned the student’s loss this week.

“Her untimely death, which occurred off campus, has left our community saddened,” ECSU Chancellor Dr. Karrie Dixon said in a statement.

“Please keep Amarriah’s family and loved ones in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.”

Thomas is being held at the Chowan County Detention Center without bond.

He also faces charges of larceny of a motor vehicle and concealing the death of a person.