South Carolina Woman Brutally Murdered After Being Lured by Fake Puppy Sale
A tragic case of deception and violence has unfolded in rural South Carolina, where a woman was allegedly lured to her death under the pretense of purchasing a puppy. The brutal incident, which investigators believe may be connected to a recent homicide in a neighboring county, has shocked the local community and drawn national attention.
A Deadly Setup in the Wooded Backroads
Dana Marie Kinlaw, a 40-year-old South Carolina resident, met a horrific end on January 22, 2026, in the remote wooded area of Effingham, approximately 150 kilometers east of Columbia. According to authorities from the Florence County Sheriff's Office, Kinlaw was targeted in what appears to have been a carefully planned ambush.
Investigators reveal that Kinlaw and 19-year-old Iryanna Jarissa Fleming, described as friends, traveled together to Atlantic Road near Springbranch Road. The purpose of their journey, according to Sheriff TJ Joye, was supposedly to meet someone selling a puppy that Kinlaw had expressed interest in acquiring.
"Supposedly, they went there together," Sheriff Joye told news outlets. "Miss Fleming, she was 19 years of age, a friend of Miss Kinlaw, and they rode there together supposedly to buy a puppy."
The Brutal Sequence of Events
What began as an innocent trip to acquire a pet quickly turned into a nightmare. According to law enforcement officials, Fleming and 31-year-old Daquinn Taheen Thomas are accused of orchestrating the fake puppy sale specifically to lure Kinlaw to the isolated location where the attack occurred.
Once at the remote site, authorities say Kinlaw was fatally shot. The horror didn't end there. Investigators believe the suspects then poured a flammable liquid over Kinlaw's body, set it ablaze, and left her burning inside her own vehicle on the side of the rural road.
Deputies responded to reports of a vehicle engulfed in flames. When they arrived at the scene, the car was still burning with a human body inside. Florence County Coroner Keith Von Lutcken later identified the remains as those of Dana Marie Kinlaw.
Swift Arrests and Possible Motive
Law enforcement moved quickly following the discovery of Kinlaw's body. Fleming and Thomas were taken into custody just hours after the incident, facing multiple charges including murder, first-degree arson, and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime.
A third suspect, Nikko Christopher Carraway, was arrested days later on January 28, facing the same serious charges. All three individuals are now in custody as the investigation continues.
Investigators have revealed a possible motive for the brutal killing. According to reports from WBMF, authorities believe Kinlaw's murder may have been a retaliation killing connected to a recent homicide in neighboring Darlington County. This connection suggests the fake puppy sale was merely a ruse to bring Kinlaw to a location where she could be targeted.
Ongoing Investigation and Community Impact
Kinlaw's remains have been sent to the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston for a comprehensive autopsy. The Florence County Sheriff's Office continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding her death and the possible connections to other criminal activity in the region.
This case highlights the disturbing reality of how seemingly ordinary situations can mask deadly intentions. The use of a puppy sale as bait for a violent crime has particularly resonated with the public, raising concerns about safety in what should be routine transactions.
As the legal process moves forward, the community mourns the loss of Dana Marie Kinlaw while authorities work to ensure justice is served in this tragic case of deception and violence.
