A South Carolina woman was fatally shot, and her body was set on fire after being lured to a rural location under the pretense of purchasing a puppy, authorities said.
Florence County law enforcement described the killing as retaliatory, potentially linked to a prior homicide in neighboring Darlington County.
Dana Marie Kinlaw, 40, of Effingham, traveled on Jan. 22 with 19-year-old Iryanna Jarissa Fleming, whom she considered a friend, to a wooded area along Atlantic Road near Springbranch Road, approximately 95 miles east of Columbia.
Investigators allege Fleming and two accomplices, 31-year-olds Daquinn Taheen Thomas and Nikko Christopher Carraway, orchestrated the encounter to ambush Kinlaw.
“Supposedly, they went there together to buy a puppy,” Florence County Sheriff TJ Joye told WBMF. “Miss Fleming rode with Miss Kinlaw, and they traveled there under that pretense.”
Once at the secluded location, authorities said Kinlaw was shot, after which the suspects poured an unknown liquid over her and set the vehicle on fire.
Deputies responding around 5:45 p.m. discovered the car still burning with Kinlaw inside. Florence County Coroner Keith Von Lutcken later confirmed her identity, and an autopsy is being conducted at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston.
Fleming and Thomas were arrested the same day and charged with murder, first-degree arson, and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime.
Carraway was apprehended on Wednesday and faces identical charges. All three remain held without bond at the Florence County Detention Center.
Authorities said the attack appeared retaliatory, linked to a recent Darlington County homicide that allegedly involved Kinlaw’s son.
“We feel that her son was involved in that in some way, shape, or form, and we believe this was retaliation,” Sheriff Joye said.
Court records show Thomas and Carraway have extensive criminal histories in Florence County dating back to 2014, including attempted murder and armed robbery.
The New York Post reported that Thomas most recently served nine months in prison in March 2025 for possession of a firearm as a convicted felon.
Investigators executed search warrants at Kinlaw’s residence, seizing laptops, tablets, phones, external storage devices, and financial records.
Officials also examined bank statements that indicated spending inconsistent with normal transactions, including electronics, clothing, and dining purchases.
The case has drawn attention to the risks associated with routine encounters that unexpectedly escalate into deadly situations.
Law enforcement emphasized that prior personal conflicts and criminal connections can quickly turn violent in rural communities.
“This tragic incident highlights how quickly trust can be exploited, and how ordinary encounters may turn deadly,” Sheriff Joye said.
Authorities continue to investigate the full scope of planning and involvement by all parties, aiming to determine whether additional individuals were connected to the crime.
Kinlaw’s killing underscores the dangers of retaliation and the need for vigilance, even in routine encounters.
Florence County authorities continue to urge residents to exercise caution when meeting unfamiliar individuals, particularly in isolated areas, while investigators work to determine the full scope of the crime.
