Karen Swift Missing: Body Found Believed To Be Tennessee Mother of Four
Dyer, TN- This afternoon, Dyer County Sheriffs recovered an unidentified and decomposing body in what appeared to be a shallow grave along the fork of Burnt Mill and Harness Roads.
The location is just off Route 78, and approximately 3 miles from the home of Karen and David Swift, which is located on Willie Johnson Road.
Karen Swift disappeared October 30th after returning home with the couples youngest daughter, who asked to be picked up early from a sleepover.
David Swift, Karen’s estranged husband, told police his wife was having an affair, had filed for divorce, and likely was “shacked up” with her boyfriend as the reason he waited almost an entire day before reporting her missing, although many of Karen’s friends were concerned about her whereabouts immediately. Ms. Swift’s friends were quick to provide police details that would contradict Mr. Swift’s assertions about his wife.
Karen’s 2004 Murano was located on Millsfield Hwy with a flat tire without any evidence of foul play, fueling speculation the scene appeared staged. As reported exclusively by www.blinkoncrime.com, clothing later determined by DNA testing belonging to Karen Swift was found in early search efforts to find her.
Speaking on the condition of anonymity to www.blinkoncrime.com, a source inside the investigation has confirmed that conversation on a police scanner earlier this afternoon indicated the remains are believed to be that of Karen Johnson Swift, and they were found based on a tip from an undisclosed source. It is not known if that source has ties to David Swift.
Jeff Box, Dyer County sheriff, refused to answer any questions regarding the recovery and said the Memphis Medical Examiner will determine positive identification and cause of death on Monday.
David Swift hired a criminal defense attorney within 48 hours of his Karen’s disappearance, and refused to answer any further inquiry or allow the property to be searched until search warrants were served last month.
Mr. Swift has not been named a suspect in his wife’s disappearance.
Contributing Editor: Jacqueline Beaufort
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Oh no,body found in shallow grave in cemetery near the home.This is so sad and I knew she was not alive.Reality sits in and you become numb and angry at the same time.I hope as soon as they confirm her identity an arrest is made on one David Swift.My heart aches for the children and for Karen’s family.Christmas is almost here and now this?? Beyond angry.Now for all of those that tried to connect the dots to all the missing women in Tenn to a serial killer,read this headline.
just saw this post. shocked, after so many weeks of hearing nothing…but glad the family can finally get some answers. prayers for karen and her children and family and friends. i’ll be looking forward to the rest of the details being released. hubby had an interesting story, but still not named a suspect?
May she Rest In Peace. My prayers are with her family.
Prayers for her children and family.
May Karen rest in peace. I pray for her kids and family to have strength. And, I pray for justice. Although sadly not found alive, at least this is the first step towards closure, and hopefully the healing can begin for those who loved and cherished her.
What a bittersweet time for so many. My prayers are with Mrs. Swift’s children and family. I hope whoever gave the tip will be able to fill in all pieces of the puzzle and justice can be served. This is just too sad.
This is very sad news.
I hope her folks come east to be with the children. Since Mr Swift has a lawyer, I guess that means that LE must make all notifications and discussions through him? No visit to discuss findings thus far? That is awkward. I am thinking they may report that her body was without clothes or was in pj’s. You know- just how every mother goes out in the middle of the night. I am so mad- at Christmas time & everything. Praying for the family.
@Eloise
I agree.
To all,
I am on location for a few with limited access. I am fine to moderate but limited in my personal commentary.
Thanks in advance but I wanted to publish this piece , BOC editor JB has been on top of this case.
B
Oh, Blink. This is so terribly sad for her children, family and friends. I knew she would never just walk away from her children. Many prayers are being sent up for all of them.
I have a feeling LE does have a prime suspect, but are refraining from naming that person.
My heart goes out to her children and family. I’m grateful for 1 thing….her body is found and LE can do a thorough job bringing the monster killer down.
The ol’….ran off with her lover is the new confession, imo.
Did anyone else notice what today’s date is? Quite a coincedence
It is so sad… May Karen Rest in Peace.
Within a 3 mile radius….within a 3 mile radius…. that pointed sad phrase and what it means- keeps playing in my mind…
I am so sad, sad for Karen, sad for her family and friends sad for her children …
Blink and Co thank you for keeping us updated. How long before a definite confirmation is made?
My prayers to all those who are awaiting news-
My heart aches for her children and her family and friends.
Whomeever chose this picture of Karen to grace the cover of the piece did a superb job capturing the essence of Karen
This picture of Karen depicts a daughter, a mother, a wife- a natural beauty with a warm smile and caring eyes….smiling- happy although with a touch of sadness seeping through … face open, hopeful.. yet somehow weary … determination and strength showing, compassion and quiet vulnerability obvious
What happened? How could anyone harm her and put the children and family through such pain and anguish? Ill never understand
AJMO
I think this disposes of any thoughts that the “flat” was not staged.
My money says Karen fought, and wounded her attacker to the point where any sort of clandestine burial was a physical impossibility.
B
Imo shallow grave cemetary burial was done by someone who loved her plus someone too inebriated to plan and who did not plan in advance and killed by impulse in the heat of the moment.
If a tire was split, as recent media said, imo
that’s in an act of rage. Better ways to lower a tire when planful.
If a tire was slit, that would be a sign of foul play, which is in direct contradiction to Sheriff Box’s earliest comments.
B
Thanks Blink and JB for keeping us updated. I’m so sad that this has turned out this way. I think we knew all along it would, but it’s still hard to take when it happens. My thoughts are with Karen’s children, family and friends. Rest In Peace lovely lady.
Such sad news, and my prayers and thoughts go to her kids and family. Why oh why…
This is sad if it is indeed Karen. My prayers to the family. It is tough to loose a mother at Christmas time.
With the body found in a shallow grave in a graveyard, I suppose that LE needs to add that piece of information to every search for a missing person. There are many such places within a county. Maybe they can be identified and get help from the nearby residents by having them check for fresh graves when someone is missing.
I followed Karen’s case closely since she disappeared. So sad to hear this news. It is heartbreaking for her family and children, but even more so with Christmas around the corner. Praying her loved ones find comfort and closure and justice is quickly served.
I read on the family Facebook page that police have notified the family that it is Karen Swift’s remains.
Prayers for comfort for the family!
Hello Blink and Blinkers. Can we assume that the perp had no knowledges
about botanic? As he put Karen there the body was hidden by the flora and as the winter
came the flora changed and gave prize to her body. So due to the vegetation there would
it had been obvious to someone with little knowledges that that could happen?
I think the location may tell a lot about the killers personality. It is someone who does not take
the time to transport Karen a 100 miles away. Why? Because it could have been someone who
had to be in a certain place to a certain hour the morning after the crime took place.
1) someone with obligations : family, work ect…
2) someone with no knowledges about vegetation, flora…
Sorry if i repeat myself but for me this spot is relevant to the time the perp had to hide the body in a
very first place.
If it was the work of a serial killer, would he not likely have placed the body farer away?
Very Sad news.. My thoughts and respects for the children and family of Karen.
There is never a good time for bad news. I wish it had turned out different.
Just saw this on some other news link and came right over to BOC to see what the status was.
My gut still tells me it’s the husband. My thoughts and prayers to Karen’s children, family and friends.
Oh, David – if you did do this, you will be found out. Rot in hell.
I just saw WREG/Memphis is reporting the body found Saturday was that of Karen Swift. Again, my prayers. I certainly feel for her four children. Lets hope they can all hold tight to some fond/fun/loving memories and carry on as their Mom would have wanted. Jeezie, WTH is wrong with people.
This woman went to bed with a sick or upset child. Either she left home to party up, her car tire failed immediately. a stranger who just happened by at that very moment fpund her in her child’s bed, did her in, put a phone at Hogg’s, and knew where a small cemetary was; or a local hooked up at her home after her child slept and quickly killed & disposed of her, moving her car. Who would move the car except for one who
did not want it at home?
The facebook page is reporting that Karen’s mom received confirmation that the remains are Karen’s.
So sad. Prayers for those sweet children. :’o(
As everyone suspected.
http://midsouthnewz.com/news/midsouth-regional-news/karen-swift-body-identified-by-tbi.html
I am sure you have all heard the news the body that was found within 5 miles of her home(not 3) has been positively identified through dental records as Karen Swift. The case is now being investigated as a homicide.
My heartfelt condolences to her family, may Karen Rest In Peace
http://www.stategazette.com/story/1793716.html
http://www.cnn.com/2011/12/12/justice/tennessee-missing-mother/index.html?eref=rss_topstories
AJMO
I just read this news clip that reports that two tires of Karen ‘s car appeared to be slashed…is this sound reporting? If it is this is the first I read of it- the article also reports that there were numerous reasons that the body was not seen sooner- which hints to more than just tall weeds and grass obsuring the remains…
I was starting to think someone just decided to dispose of her remains by throwing them out quickly and without much thought…..but perhaps not- perhaps they went to greater lengths to prevent the discovery?
http://www.wreg.com/news/wreg-swift-body,0,6984429.story?track=rss
Sending my thoughts and prayers to her loved ones and to law enforcement-
AJMO
After all this time I didn’t think Ms. Swift was still alive, but it still deals a blow to the heart to hear it confirmed. I hope that the recovery of Karen’s body and the ability to give her a proper burial will bring even the smallest amount of comfort to her family. At least she will be “home” for Christmas. My concern, now that her body has been recovered, is the amount of time that has passed– I hope that LE has enough evidence to properly pin this on the bastard who did it.
So sad for the Children of Karen, they have to live wihout their mom. So sorry for her
Family and friends. So sorry for Karen, such a beautiful Lady. It is so sad. Poor
Karen. Who did this? It is incredible. How can someone do such an horrible crime?
I am praying for Holly and for all the missing persons of the World. May they come
home safe…
I know you are on location Blink, just wanted to run this by you for when you get time. Stay safe!
————————————————————
What would the below statement mean, TBI said “there were numerous things that kept the body from being found in previous searches.”
I am curious what “numerous things” would entail? I know the vegetation has died down from the frost/weather, but what other things would contribute to her not being found before now?
“A TBI representative said there were numerous things that kept the body from being found in previous searches.”
http://www.wreg.com/news/wreg-swift-body,0,6984429.story
The planting of her phone and clothing in a different location.
B
TBI confirmed the identity this morning.
http://midsouthnewz.com/news/midsouth-regional-news/karen-swift-body-identified-by-tbi.html
Why is she found dead right after filing for divorce. Too coincidental.
The flora will help solve this case if the police gathered evidence from Mr. Swift or Mr. Hogshooter (or another potential suspect we don’t know about yet)which contained the same flora, pollen, dirt, etc.
Also, the fact that the perp tried to dispose of Karin by burying her in a grave yard shows at some level he had feelings for Karen. Someone who didn’t care at all would leave her body in a ditch on the side of the road, exposed, etc.
I wonder what evidence the investigators gathered from Mr. Swift’s and Mr. Hogshooter’s vehicles………..and that little ATV pictured in Blink’s previous article.
If your not from the south, you don’t know what kudzu is. This vegetation is so thick nothing can be seen thru it. It also grows as fast as 3-4 in. a day. The vegetation she was left in was kudzu and waist high weeds.
I heard Karen’s cell phone was found behind Hogshooter’s house.Really nice for David to try to set his neighbor up.Look like it’s time pay up
and in a big way.May Karen RIP,justice will be served.
clothing found in a different location.
Was she found without clothing ?
Off topic but very interesting:
http://www.myfoxla.com/dpp/story/web-chat-internet-sleuthing-20111209
Sheriff Box talks about investigation:
Investigation-135487363.html?m=y&smobile=y&c=y
sorry here is the correct link:
http://www.wbbjtv.com/news/local/Sheriff-Box-Talks-about-Swift-Investigation-
135487363.html?m=y&smobile=y&c=y
My Karen’s soul be at rest.
Now, who else has to die before laws are put into place which protect the obvious killers in divorce/spouse abuse situations?
What about Susan Powell? When will she get her proper burial?
Article from WBBJ TV news, I snipped portions of interest:
****************
“She had been there some time the body had been concealed by vegetation,” said Sheriff Jeff Box of Dyer County.
He said the area where Swift’s body was found was not on their search grid.
“It was an area covered in kudzu vines which was anywhere from knee to waist high,” he said.
Sheriff Box said the area off Highway 78 near the intersection of Harness Road and Burnt Mill Road where Swift’s body was found is private property.
He said the remains were found by someone who was passing by.
“There were some apparent injuries to the body. We’re going to wait to let the medical examiner final report tell us the extent of those injuries.”
***Authorities said nothing indicates Swift was killed in a different location.***
He said items recovered from her car may be key to their investigation.
“At this time we haven’t named any suspects and you won’t see us name any suspects until we’re sure it’s going to be beneficial to the investigation.”
The sheriff said Swift’s husband and daughter were the last people to see her alive and have been very cooperative. He said at this point no one has been ruled out.
http://www.wbbjtv.com/news/local/Sheriff-Box-Talks-about-Swift-Investigation-135487363.html?m=y&smobile=y&c=y
******************
From this statement, “Authorities said nothing indicates Swift was killed in a different location.”, I take to mean, that where she was found is the main crime scene.
RIP Karen-RIP….
How does any man think he will get away with this? How? It is only a matter of time. The bastard. And two little girls who will never again see their mommy. May he be burning in Hell at this very moment. Ladies, never, ever, underestimate the insanity of another person.
With regard to item planting, only a local would know that cemetary location. Locals could also know where to place clothes. But who would know to plant tge cell behing Hogg’s house except someone she’d told her poisoned dog story to? That’s husband, male friend if any, or other contacts she told daily life events to.
A random killer wouldn’t take the time to bury her. This was someone who had an attachment to her. I hate to keep pointing my finger at the husband, but my gut tells me it was him. I really hope to be proven wrong for the sake of the children. How awful to lose both parents.
In regard to the injuries to the body, I have to wonder if any were after death to make the crime look like something other than what it was. Has Karen’s cause of death been determined/released?
I am still not convinced the husband did it (or at least did not do it by himself). The more I hear about this case, the more confused I get.
E.g., 1) the body was found in a shallow grave based on a tip, vs. the body was found in kudzu by a passerby.
2) The cell phone last pinged near the Mississippi vs. cell phone found behind next door neighbor’s house.
What is interesting is that we appear to have a well-orchestrated cover-up: well-positioned vehicle, planted clothing, cell pings leading away from the scene; but. a rather quick body disposal. Kudzu is very difficult to walk through, much less drag a body through, so I suspect she was very close to the edge of the Kudzu. A Kudzu covered field would be a great place to hide a body (it is only by divine providence her body was found at all IMHO) , but it doesn’t seem to to fit in with the rest of the plan.
This coordinated cover-up is not the work of a serial abductor. Even if she left the house on her own and was abducted from her car, a serial killer would not go to such lengths to lead LE off course.
Potential POI’s:
1) Husband. I am not convinced he is guilty, but is still top of the list. If KS was killed where her body was found, and there were apparently obvious injuries, this would lead me away from him as the prime suspect.
2) Paramore. I have seen no direct evidence that KS had a new male friend. On the other hand, we don’t know what went wrong with the marriage.
3) Creepy neighbor dude. He’s creepy and cruel to animals, but it is hard to picture him breaking into the house to kidnap her or randomly running into her when she left in the middle of the night. I think he is a red herring in this case. The only real involvement I could picture this guy having in this case would be as an accomplice to someone else.
Maybe Mr. Swift poisoned his own dog as a preliminary act, setting the ground work for a set-up, in preparation for the potential divorce filing. Surely, he also knew of his resembelance to the neighbor as another point of confusion.
I have not been able to confirm that JackBoots was actually poisoned, or the identity of the other neighbors dog that allegedly died. In fact, I cannot exclude that Mr. Swift did not concoct this entirely.
I suppose we will learn more if the charges against Mr. Hogshooter end up being dropped.
B
Maybe she got hit by a car and it threw her off the road ??
Hit and Run
Anyways if it is murder, I do not think the woman was murdered in the bushes.. She was murdered in a different location and thrown into the bushes, IF it was not an accident.
This was a homicide, and was classified as such onsite, it is my opinion arrest warrants are being prepared and that is why there has been no release of specifics. I gotta say, where is the local media on this? They should be parked at the courthouse filing FOIA or finding out what is sealed, etc.
Sheesh.
B
Edward – Hit by a car? This of course would have knocked off her clothes and sent them flying several miles down the road to where they were found weeks earlier. Or do you believe that every woman – when faced with a flat tire in the middle of the night – first takes off her clothes before walking down the road to find help? Yeah OK.
This was not an accident.
So sad for her children, family & friends. May Karen rest in peace.
Edward is a staunch advocate, and a critical thinker, which means one does not start with the worst-
He was throwing it out there, because the reality is, it would have to be ruled out investigatively, and he knows that.
Edward has earned his chops twenty fold, and I know you did not know that, and I am not being critical, I know that you would want to understand his perspective.
Many thanks
B