South Carolina Woman Brutally Murdered in Puppy Sale Ambush
A tragic and horrifying incident has unfolded in rural South Carolina, where a woman was fatally shot and set on fire after being ambushed during what she believed was a meeting to purchase a puppy. The victim, identified as 40-year-old Dana Marie Kinlaw, was lured to a remote location in Effingham on January 22, only to meet a brutal end at the hands of three individuals.
Details of the Fatal Ambush
According to the Florence County Sheriff's Office, Kinlaw was accompanied by 19-year-old Iryanna Jarissa Fleming, who was allegedly a friend, to Atlantic Road near Springbranch Road. This area is approximately 95 miles east of Columbia, the state capital, and is characterized by dense woodlands. The pair had traveled there under the pretense of buying a puppy that Kinlaw had been interested in.
Upon arrival, Kinlaw was ambushed by Fleming and two other suspects: 31-year-old Daquinn Taheen Thomas and Nikko Christopher Carraway. Authorities report that she was fatally shot before the assailants poured a liquid over her body and set it ablaze inside the vehicle. The car was left burning on the side of the road, with Kinlaw's remains inside.
Investigation and Arrests
Deputies responded to reports of a vehicle fire and discovered the scene, with the car still engulfed in flames. Florence County Coroner Keith Von Lutcken identified the body as Kinlaw's and ordered an autopsy at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, though results have not yet been released.
Fleming and Thomas were arrested hours after the murder and charged with murder, first-degree arson, and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime. Carraway was apprehended later and faces the same charges. Court records reveal that both Thomas and Carraway have extensive criminal histories in Florence County dating back to 2014, including multiple attempted murder charges and violent armed robbery cases. Thomas was recently sentenced to nine months in prison in March 2025 for firearm possession as a convicted criminal.
Motive and Connection to Other Crimes
Officials believe that Kinlaw's murder was an act of retaliation linked to a recent killing in neighboring Darlington County, approximately 35 miles away. Florence County Sheriff TJ Joye indicated that the murder in Darlington County involved Kinlaw's son, suggesting that her death was a direct response to that incident. However, further details about the connection have not been disclosed to the public.
This case highlights the dangers of online transactions and meetings with strangers, as well as the ongoing issues of violent crime and retaliation in certain areas. The community is left in shock as the investigation continues to unfold, seeking justice for Dana Marie Kinlaw.
