Topline: Investigators allege the woman was led into an ambush, fatally shot and burned inside a vehicle during what she thought was a puppy sale.
Published: January 30, 2026 8:35 am ET
Must Read
Top, from left: Nikko Carraway, Iryanna Fleming, and Daquinn Thomas (via Florence County Detention Center). Bottom: Dana Kinlaw (via Floyd Funeral Home).
FLORENCE COUNTY, SC — A third suspect has been charged in the killing of a South Carolina woman who authorities say was shot and set on fire after being lured to what she believed was a meeting to buy a puppy.
Sheriff T.J. Joye said deputies arrested 31-year-old Nikko Christopher Carraway on Wednesday morning in connection with the death of Dana Marie Kinlaw, 40, of Olanta.
Carraway joins Iryanna Jarisha Fleming, 19, of Pamplico, and Daquinn Taheen Thomas, 31, of Effingham, who were previously arrested and charged in the case, according to WYFF.
All three suspects face charges of murder, first-degree arson and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime, authorities said. Fleming and Thomas were arrested on the day of Kinlaw’s death, while Carraway was taken into custody several days later, according to the Florence County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies were called around 5:45 p.m. on Jan. 22 to a vehicle fire on Atlantic Road near Springbranch Road in Effingham, where they found Kinlaw dead inside the burning car, according to WYFF. Investigators said Kinlaw had been fatally shot before the fire was set.
Joye said Kinlaw believed she was going to meet someone to look at a puppy she was interested in buying. Instead, investigators believe she was ambushed and shot, after which a liquid was poured on her and she was set on fire inside the vehicle, according to WMBF.
“Supposedly they went there together,” Joye said of Kinlaw and Fleming. “Ms. Fleming, she was 19 years of age, a friend of Ms. Kinlaw. And they rode there together, supposedly to buy a puppy,” he told WMBF, as reported by WBTV.
Authorities are investigating the killing as a possible retaliatory act connected to another homicide in Darlington County, Joye said. “We believe there was a murder committed in Darlington County, which we made the arrest in Lake City that connects them to that arrest with Darlington County officials,” he said. “We feel that her son was involved in that in some way, shape, or form, and we feel this is a retaliation to that murder.”
All three suspects are being held in the Florence County Detention Center without bond, according to online court records.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities have not released additional details.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Police: Fake Puppy Sale Used to Lure Woman to Her Death
Investigators allege the woman was led into an ambush, fatally shot and burned inside a vehicle during what she thought was a puppy sale.
By Jacob Charles
Published: January 30, 2026 8:35 am ET
Top, from left: Nikko Carraway, Iryanna Fleming, and Daquinn Thomas (via Florence County Detention Center). Bottom: Dana Kinlaw (via Floyd Funeral Home).
FLORENCE COUNTY, SC — A third suspect has been charged in the killing of a South Carolina woman who authorities say was shot and set on fire after being lured to what she believed was a meeting to buy a puppy.
Sheriff T.J. Joye said deputies arrested 31-year-old Nikko Christopher Carraway on Wednesday morning in connection with the death of Dana Marie Kinlaw, 40, of Olanta.
Carraway joins Iryanna Jarisha Fleming, 19, of Pamplico, and Daquinn Taheen Thomas, 31, of Effingham, who were previously arrested and charged in the case, according to WYFF.
All three suspects face charges of murder, first-degree arson and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime, authorities said. Fleming and Thomas were arrested on the day of Kinlaw’s death, while Carraway was taken into custody several days later, according to the Florence County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies were called around 5:45 p.m. on Jan. 22 to a vehicle fire on Atlantic Road near Springbranch Road in Effingham, where they found Kinlaw dead inside the burning car, according to WYFF. Investigators said Kinlaw had been fatally shot before the fire was set.
Joye said Kinlaw believed she was going to meet someone to look at a puppy she was interested in buying. Instead, investigators believe she was ambushed and shot, after which a liquid was poured on her and she was set on fire inside the vehicle, according to WMBF.
“Supposedly they went there together,” Joye said of Kinlaw and Fleming. “Ms. Fleming, she was 19 years of age, a friend of Ms. Kinlaw. And they rode there together, supposedly to buy a puppy,” he told WMBF, as reported by WBTV.
Authorities are investigating the killing as a possible retaliatory act connected to another homicide in Darlington County, Joye said. “We believe there was a murder committed in Darlington County, which we made the arrest in Lake City that connects them to that arrest with Darlington County officials,” he said. “We feel that her son was involved in that in some way, shape, or form, and we feel this is a retaliation to that murder.”
All three suspects are being held in the Florence County Detention Center without bond, according to online court records.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities have not released additional details.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Police: Fake Puppy Sale Used to Lure Woman to Her Death
Investigators allege the woman was led into an ambush, fatally shot and burned inside a vehicle during what she thought was a puppy sale.
By Jacob Charles
Published: January 30, 2026 8:35 am ET
Top, from left: Nikko Carraway, Iryanna Fleming, and Daquinn Thomas (via Florence County Detention Center). Bottom: Dana Kinlaw (via Floyd Funeral Home).
FLORENCE COUNTY, SC — A third suspect has been charged in the killing of a South Carolina woman who authorities say was shot and set on fire after being lured to what she believed was a meeting to buy a puppy.
Sheriff T.J. Joye said deputies arrested 31-year-old Nikko Christopher Carraway on Wednesday morning in connection with the death of Dana Marie Kinlaw, 40, of Olanta.
Carraway joins Iryanna Jarisha Fleming, 19, of Pamplico, and Daquinn Taheen Thomas, 31, of Effingham, who were previously arrested and charged in the case, according to WYFF.
All three suspects face charges of murder, first-degree arson and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime, authorities said. Fleming and Thomas were arrested on the day of Kinlaw’s death, while Carraway was taken into custody several days later, according to the Florence County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies were called around 5:45 p.m. on Jan. 22 to a vehicle fire on Atlantic Road near Springbranch Road in Effingham, where they found Kinlaw dead inside the burning car, according to WYFF. Investigators said Kinlaw had been fatally shot before the fire was set.
Joye said Kinlaw believed she was going to meet someone to look at a puppy she was interested in buying. Instead, investigators believe she was ambushed and shot, after which a liquid was poured on her and she was set on fire inside the vehicle, according to WMBF.
“Supposedly they went there together,” Joye said of Kinlaw and Fleming. “Ms. Fleming, she was 19 years of age, a friend of Ms. Kinlaw. And they rode there together, supposedly to buy a puppy,” he told WMBF, as reported by WBTV.
Authorities are investigating the killing as a possible retaliatory act connected to another homicide in Darlington County, Joye said. “We believe there was a murder committed in Darlington County, which we made the arrest in Lake City that connects them to that arrest with Darlington County officials,” he said. “We feel that her son was involved in that in some way, shape, or form, and we feel this is a retaliation to that murder.”
All three suspects are being held in the Florence County Detention Center without bond, according to online court records.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities have not released additional details.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
