A family in South Carolina is mourning an unexpected loss. In the middle of the night, the body of Dane Waddell was found abandoned in a parking lot. Police are still investigating what led to her being found dead. While the investigation continues, it’s been discovered she was likely hit by a car and dragged an unknown distance. Thus far the driver who caused Waddell’s death has not been located. Since her tragic death, her family is remembering the beloved new mom and encouraging whoever the driver is to step forward and turn themselves in.
Deputies from the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call around 3:20 a.m. January 7, 2026, Fox Carolina and WYFF reported. There, they found a body in a parking lot on Whitney Road. Sadly, the person was declared dead at 3:25 a.m., Fox Carolina noted.
The person who was killed was later identified as Dane Josephine Waddell by the Spartanburg County Coroner’s Office, per the outlets.
Deputies are investigating Waddell’s death as a hit-and-run. Although security footage has helped identify the type of vehicle that hit her, officials have not been able to find it.
No arrests have been made, but the investigation continues. Anyone with any information regarding the incident is encouraged to contact Investigator Nick Federico at (864) 503-4591 or [email protected].
The coroner’s office offered more insight into the incident in a statement to the Spartanburg Post and Courier, sharing, “We have evidence that she was run over and dragged by a vehicle.”
Her family also spoke out, saying that the 31-year-old is a new mom who gave birth in October. They also remembered her warm, magnetic personality.
“She had a style of her own,” her aunt Sheina Waddell told the newspaper. “She went to cosmetology school to be a hair stylist and she was great with makeup.”
Her relatives, who have had their good and bad moments since the unexpected death, shared messages for the perpetrator via the newspaper.
“We would ask for the person who has done this to come forward and be brave about it and understand the impact that they have already caused,” Sheina Waddell said. “How would they feel about the impact of this happening to their family? What would they feel like? Would they want (the driver) to come forward for peace of mind for the family and justice for the family?”
