New Mom, 31, Found Dead After Being Run Over and Dragged by Car in Shopping Center Parking Lot By Charlotte Phillipp

A South Carolina woman, who welcomed her first baby less than four months ago, was killed after being struck by a car and dragged along the ground.

According to the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were first called to a shopping center parking lot on the city’s Whitney Road for a welfare check at around 3:00 a.m. local time on Wednesday, Jan. 7.

A spokesperson for the Sheriff’s Office told PEOPLE that deputies had received a call about a woman in the parking lot “who appeared to be deceased.”

At the scene, officials found 31-year-old Dané Josephine Waddell, and later determined that she had “sustained fatal injuries” from a car.

Spartanburg County Coroner Rusty Clevenger told FOX Carolina, WYFF and The Post and Courier that officials “have evidence that she was run over and dragged by a vehicle.”

Dané’s family told FOX Carolina that she welcomed a baby girl in October 2025. The 31-year-old is being remembered as a positive force in her local community who had an independent spirit.

Dané’s aunt, Sheina Waddell, told the Post and Courier that her niece easily drew people in, even as a baby. According to Sheina, she would constantly smile and wave at people.

“When she would do that, they would come to her,” Sheina said, remembering how her niece wanted to move to the Spartanburg area as a teen so she could attend an academically rigorous high school.

“She had a style of her own,” her aunt continued, sharing how she loved her niece’s cooking and sense of style. “She went to cosmetology school to be a hair stylist, and she was great with makeup.”

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Speaking with the Post and Courier, Dané’s family issued a public plea for the responsible driver to turn themself in, as the Sheriff’s Office said that no arrests have been made.

“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 told the newspaper.

The Sheriff’s Office said the case is still active and an investigation in conjunction with the South Carolina Highway Patrol is ongoing. Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact Investigator Nick Federico at (864) 503-4591 or [email protected].

According to Sheina, the Waddell family is deep in their grieving process and has asked the public to keep both them and the perpetrator in their prayers.

When asked by the Post and Courier what she might say to the driver, Sheina said she would ask, “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?” she added.