A quiet predawn morning in Spartanburg County, South Carolina, turned tragic when deputies discovered the body of 31-year-old Dané Josephine Waddell in a shopping center parking lot. Responding to a call around 3:20 a.m. on January 7, 2026, authorities arrived to find that Waddell had been struck, run over, and dragged by a vehicle whose driver fled the scene. The coroner pronounced her dead shortly after. Investigators, working alongside the South Carolina Highway Patrol, have reviewed security footage and identified the type of vehicle involved, but no arrests have been made. As leads continue to be pursued, law enforcement urges the driver responsible to come forward, emphasizing that accountability is essential for justice and closure.

Waddell’s death has left her family and community heartbroken. A new mother to baby Gi’Anni, she was remembered as vibrant, compassionate, and full of life. She moved to Spartanburg as a teenager to pursue better opportunities, later building a career in beauty and makeup artistry while touching many lives with her warmth and creativity. She loved music, cooking, and rescuing animals, often opening her heart to strays in need. Her family now pleads for anyone with information to speak up, stressing that even the smallest detail could help bring justice. For those who loved Dané, honoring her memory means finding answers—and ensuring that her daughter grows up knowing her mother’s life mattered.