Tragic Discovery
A predawn calm in Spartanburg County, South Carolina, shattered when deputies found a woman dead in a shopping center parking lot. The incident sparked a multi-agency investigation and left a young family devastated.
“We would ask for the person who has done this to come forward and be brave about it,” a grieving aunt said.
What Happened
According to the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded around 3:20 a.m. Wednesday, January 7, 2026, to a report of a body at the 369 Whitney Road shopping center. The Coroner pronounced her dead at 3:35 a.m.
The victim was identified as Dané Josephine Waddell, 31, a new mother and Spartanburg resident.
Authorities believe Waddell was struck, run over, and dragged by a vehicle. The driver fled without stopping. “We have evidence that she was run over and dragged by a vehicle,” said Coroner Rusty Clevenger.
The sheriff’s office, working with the South Carolina Highway Patrol, is investigating the hit-and-run. Security footage has helped identify the type of vehicle, but authorities have not located it. No arrests had been made as of January 8, though investigators are following multiple leads.
Dané Josephine Waddell. | Source: Callaham-Hicks & Leeside Funeral Home
Family Pleads for Driver to Step Forward
Waddell’s family is urging the driver to surrender and acknowledge the impact of their actions.
“How would they feel if this happened to their family?” her aunt asked. “They need to come forward for the peace and justice of our family.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Sheriff’s Investigator Nick Federico at 864-503-4591 or nfederico@spartanburgcounty.org.
Who Dané Waddell Was
Family members remembered Waddell as vibrant, warm, and magnetic. “She drew people to her from a young age,” her aunt said.
Dané moved to Spartanburg at 16 for better education, attending Dorman High School and graduating in 2012. She later trained as a hair stylist and excelled in makeup artistry. She loved cooking, R&B music, and caring for animals. Her obituary notes she often rescued pets, including a frog and several stray cats.
She welcomed her daughter, Gi’Anni, in October 2025. Family and friends say her nurturing and compassionate nature defined her life. “She was hopeful and excited about their future together,” her obituary states.
The Aftermath
Authorities continue to review evidence and follow leads. Meanwhile, Waddell’s family navigates their grief, holding onto memories of her love, creativity, and generosity.
The family and law enforcement stress that anyone with information, even small details, could be crucial. For those who loved Dané, justice remains the final hope to honor a life full of compassion and devotion.