Dané Josephine Waddell, 31, a new mother who had a baby girl in October 2025, was found dead in a Spartanburg shopping-center parking lot on Jan. 7. Authorities say she sustained fatal injuries consistent with being struck and dragged by a vehicle. The Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office and the South Carolina Highway Patrol are investigating; no arrests have been made. The family has publicly pleaded for the driver to come forward and provided contact information for investigators.
New Mother, 31, Found Dead After Being Struck and Dragged in Spartanburg Parking Lot — Family Pleads For Driver To Come Forward
Dane Waddell/facebookDané Josephine Waddell
Dané Josephine Waddell, 31, a new mother who welcomed her first child in October 2025, was found dead in a Spartanburg, South Carolina, shopping-center parking lot on Jan. 7, authorities said.
Spartanburg County deputies responded to a welfare check at about 3:00 a.m. on Whitney Road after a caller reported a person who appeared to be deceased. At the scene, officials discovered Waddell and later determined she had sustained fatal injuries consistent with being struck and dragged by a vehicle.
Investigation Underway
Spartanburg County Coroner Rusty Clevenger told local outlets that investigators have evidence suggesting Waddell was run over and dragged by a vehicle. The Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office said the case remains active and is being investigated in partnership with the South Carolina Highway Patrol. No arrests have been made.
Dane Waddell/facebookDané Josephine Waddell.
Official Contact
Anyone with information is asked to contact Investigator Nick Federico at (864) 503-4591 or nfederico@spartanburgcounty.org. The sheriff’s office is urging members of the public to come forward with tips that could assist the investigation.
Family Remembers Dané
Waddell’s family confirmed she had a baby girl in October 2025 and described her as an independent, warm presence in the community who drew people to her from a young age. Her aunt, Sheina Waddell, recalled that Dané would smile and wave to others and had a distinct personal style. Sheina said Dané attended cosmetology school, loved makeup and cooking, and had a bright, welcoming personality.
“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 Post and Courier.
The family is grieving and has asked the public to keep them — and the person responsible — in their prayers as the investigation continues.
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