EFFINGHAM, S.C. – Two individuals are in custody facing serious charges after the Florence County Sheriff’s Office discovered a grim scene on Atlantic Road earlier this week: a burned vehicle containing the body of 40-year-old Dana Marie Kinlaw of Olanta. Investigators allege the victim was shot and the vehicle was intentionally set ablaze to cover up the crime.
On January 22, 2026, deputies and Florence County Coroner Keith Von Lutcken responded to a vehicle fire near the intersection of Atlantic and Springbranch Roads. Once the fire was extinguished, they discovered Kinlaw’s body inside. The investigation quickly turned into a homicide case.
Arrests Made, Disturbing Allegations Revealed
Investigators have since obtained arrest warrants for Iryanna Jarissa Fleming and Daquinn Taheen Thomas, both of whom are now in custody. According to the Florence County Sheriff’s Office, the pair 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.
“This is a deeply disturbing case that has understandably shaken our community,” said a spokesperson for the Sheriff’s Office. “Our investigators have worked tirelessly, and this remains an active and ongoing investigation.”
Coroner Keith Von Lutcken has ordered an autopsy at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston to aid the investigation. Authorities have stated that additional charges are possible as the inquiry continues.
A Community Mourns, Seeks Justice and Healing
The allegations have sent waves of grief and horror through the small communities of Olanta and Effingham. Friends and family of Kinlaw are grappling with the brutal nature of her death.
“As we pursue justice through the legal system, we ask the community to remember Dana for the life she lived, not just the tragedy of her death,” the Sheriff’s Office spokesperson added. “She was a member of this community, and our hearts are with her loved ones.”
Vigils and community gatherings are being planned to honor Kinlaw’s memory. The case has underscored a collective call for justice and a reminder of the devastating impact of violence.
The Florence County Sheriff’s Office is continuing its investigation and asks anyone with information related to this case to contact them immediately.