On January 22, 2026, Florence County Sheriff’s Office Deputies, Florence County Coroner Keith Von Lutcken, and investigators responded to a devastating call involving a vehicle consumed by fire on Atlantic Road near Springbranch Road in Effingham, South Carolina. Inside the burned vehicle was a deceased victim later identified as Dana Marie Kinlaw, age 40, of Olanta, South Carolina. In a heartbreaking update, investigators have since obtained arrest warrants for Iryanna Jarissa Fleming and Daquinn Taheen Thomas, who are currently in custody in connection with Dana’s death.
According to investigators, Fleming and Thomas are alleged to have intentionally shot Dana Marie Kinlaw, resulting in her death, and then set her body on fire inside the vehicle in an effort to conceal the crime. The allegations paint a deeply disturbing picture—one that has shaken the community and left Dana’s loved ones grappling with grief, anger, and unanswered questions.
Coroner Keith Von Lutcken has ordered that Dana’s body be autopsied at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, a step that will aid investigators as they continue to piece together the full circumstances surrounding her death. Authorities have emphasized that this remains an active and ongoing investigation, and that additional charges are possible as more information is uncovered.
While the investigation progresses through the justice system, the heart of this story remains the life that was lost. Dana Marie Kinlaw was more than the victim of a violent crime. She was a woman with a life, relationships, and a future that was stolen far too soon. Her name now carries the weight of tragedy, but it also deserves to be spoken with love, dignity, and remembrance.
The community of Olanta, Effingham, and Florence County continues to mourn alongside Dana’s family and friends. Candlelight vigils, shared memories, and quiet prayers reflect a collective desire not only for justice, but for healing. In moments like these, communities are reminded of the importance of compassion, vigilance, and standing together against violence.
As authorities continue their work and more details emerge, we hold space for Dana’s memory—refusing to let her be reduced to the manner of her death. She mattered. Her life mattered. And she will not be forgotten.
Rest in peace, Dana Marie Kinlaw. May justice be served, and may your memory live on in the hearts of those who loved you.
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