Effingham, South Carolina – A South Carolina woman who believed she was meeting a seller to purchase a puppy was instead led into a deadly ambush that ended with her being fatally shot and burned inside a vehicle, according to investigators. Authorities say the crime was carefully planned and may have been linked to an earlier homicide in a neighboring county.
Incident Overview
The victim, Dana Marie Kinlaw, 40, was killed on January 22, 2026, after traveling to a secluded area along Atlantic Road near Springbranch Road in Effingham. Investigators allege she was lured to the location under false pretenses related to a puppy sale and attacked shortly after arriving.
Law enforcement officials say the area where the killing occurred is remote and sparsely populated, located approximately 95 miles east of Columbia, making it difficult for witnesses to notice suspicious activity.
Timeline of Events
According to the Florence County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched at 5:45 p.m. on January 22 after receiving reports of a vehicle fire along Atlantic Road. When first responders arrived, they discovered a car still burning with a woman’s body inside.
Authorities later identified the victim as Kinlaw, a resident of Olanta, South Carolina. Investigators believe she had traveled to the area voluntarily, unaware that the meeting was a setup.
Details From Police and Officials
Sheriff’s officials allege that one of the suspects traveled with Kinlaw to the location before the attack occurred inside the vehicle. The victim was reportedly shot, after which her body was doused with a flammable substance and set on fire.
“Supposedly, they went there together,” the sheriff said while describing the movements of Kinlaw and one of the suspects. “And they rode there together, supposedly to buy a puppy.”
Suspects and Charges
Authorities have identified three suspects in the case:
• Iryanna Jarissa Fleming, 19
• Daquinn Taheen Thomas, 31
• Nikko Christopher Carraway, 31
Fleming and Thomas were arrested on the same day as the killing, while Carraway was taken into custody several days later on January 28, according to official records.
All three suspects are charged with murder, arson, and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. They are currently being held at the Florence County Detention Center without bond.
Autopsy and Ongoing Investigation
Florence County Coroner Keith Von Lutcken confirmed that Kinlaw’s body has been sent to the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston for a full autopsy. Investigators are awaiting the final results to determine additional details about the cause and sequence of injuries.
Authorities have also stated that the killing may be connected to a separate homicide that occurred approximately 35 miles away in Darlington County, though specific details about that case have not yet been released.
Criminal Background and Additional Context
Court records show that Thomas and Carraway have extensive criminal histories in Florence County, dating back more than a decade. Thomas has previously faced multiple charges, including attempted murder and armed robbery, and was sentenced to nine months in prison in March 2025 for unlawful possession of a firearm.
The case comes amid a recent rise in violent crime across parts of South Carolina and North Carolina, alarming residents and law enforcement officials alike.
Earlier this year, a separate and unrelated case in North Carolina involved the deaths of Rayfield Ruffin, 73, and Frances Ruffin, 67, who were found stabbed inside their home. Their grandson, Martinez Corvell Ruffin, 34, was later arrested.
“I can say there has been significant history with Mr. Ruffin,” Sheriff Paula Dance said while addressing that investigation.
Conclusion
The killing of Dana Marie Kinlaw highlights the extreme dangers posed by online scams that escalate into violent crimes. Investigators continue to piece together the motive behind the attack as the suspects remain in custody and the case moves through the court system.
Anyone with information related to the incident is encouraged to contact local authorities. Share your experiences in the comments below.
