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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Annie
#49 Don’t have the video, but I believe it was on Jane Velez-Mitchell Nov 22, 2011.
Katts
Annie, I did some searching for both of us. It was difficult for me to find. Type in “preston swift parents’ divorce” on the search line and it will bring up several opportunities to read at least some of what all Karen’s son has said about his mom’s disappearance. There might be an easier way to find it, but I’m not exactly savvy on the computer! Lol..
@ Annie
i’ve been looking for the link but i can’t find it either. i think it was an interview with nancy grace. i got it from this site, and it was either a direct link, or something that came up as i was watching something posted here. sorry i can’t find it. maybe someone else can. i am going to be away for awhile and not sure when i can get back on here.
like i said, it was the tone that struck me. maybe the word i was looking for was “confidante” – as in the father giving him personal information to convince him there was nothing acrimonious about the divorce. ( that doesn’t seem to be true according to other info that has come out ) but, maybe it’s just my reaction. it was just that one incident and it was from early on in the search. if i am able to come accross it i will post it.
@ Annie
i found it on the other thread. and it wasn’t NG, it was Jane.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7E2w-5QcKIM&feature=youtu.be
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3aZt1hFFCw&feature=related
just found this link too, another one from jane. ( i gotta get cable, i miss all the good info, lol ) anyway, about 16 monutes into it, a therapist or lawyer comments on what i was trying to say about how much kids know about their parent’s business.
also, while i was on the other thread, i noticed comment #27 ( on 11/17 ) about angela, the sympathetic neighbor, who happens to live on harness road? i wonder how far from where karen was found?
To Bridge:
I cannot prepare to start really until after the Holiday, but we could begin an email dialogue in the meantime that could expedite. Would that be acceptable? I have already done some evaluations, and am pretty clear about what information I would need to proceed, preliminarily.
B
To Bridge:
Done. Will work through that avenue exclusively for now, thanks
B
Thank you so much, Blink!!!
Your welcome.
B
Thanks, everyone for the help finding these videos, I appreciate your hard work in digging these up.
Thanks Marnie – two really informative videos. Glad you were able to locate them.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, my dear friendLY and friendies.
Keeping you all in my heart and prayers, especially those we’ve come to love on BOC without ever having met them. May their family find some peace and support throughout the holidays and 2012.
Love and hugs to you all!!!!!
To you and yours friendLY.
B
Have a safe an happy Christmas an Newyear everyone.
Merry Christmas to all:-)))
Merry Christmas to everyone!
Happy Holidays from Ireland to darling Blink and family, love you lots! x
And to you and yours,
Slante
B
A Happy Christmas Day to all and best wishes for the coming New Year!
Hello- I hope everyone had a great Christmas.
I am wondering if anyone else is pondering the delay in Karen’s body being released for services has any meaning? I found this info and here is a snip~
When the autopsy has been concluded, a death certificate will be completed by the forensic pathologist to accompany the body to the funeral home. Frequently, additional testing or information will need to be provided in order for a final determination of cause and manner of death to be made. In such circumstances, an initial death certificate reflecting the pending status of the case will be issued, followed by a delayed certification of death indicating the final results of the autopsy and death investigation. Performance of a forensic autopsy will not hinder or delay a funeral, including open-casket services.
http://www.forensicmed.com/forensic-autopsies.html
Can the dilemma be who to release the body to? I understand she will be buried or services will be in AK. Any thoughts?
I am waiting to see if DNA shows any more in detail who is responsible. I am sure LE is too.
Have been skimming at the water cooler Topix hoping for news. It is So Weird & not worth a skim even, but just gave me a thought. they bat around “the Farms” (both an upper middle class subdivision & an associated golf clubhouse). These small towns IMO are very socially stratified. Not Karen’s typical party invite. More IMO a re-launch as a single Who invited her? IMO not a male escort, rather a 3rd wherl guest of Bonas. IMO in a small stratified town, this is not the norm. She was known to be married; ink on a private divorce filing hardly dry. Why’d Bonas do it, & she went along? IMO to introduce to someone, or to see someone she wanted to see. IDK if this has anything to do with the case. But IMO in a rural stratified town, the relevant issue is not what happened at this party, but why Bonas took her, and she went, unattached, in the first place.
Eloise
We did have a good Christmas.
The link you give is to a private forensics lab. They are stating the requirements by law in Tennessee and what a facility of their type must do in regards to a body placed in their facility.
I would think that funeral and burial services would be by Karen’s parents and not by the man she was in the process of divorcing. If her parents live in Arkansas, they would probably be in that state.
I feel so sorry for the children. To loose a mom near Christmas time is so hard. It has been sixty-eight years since I lost my dear grandmother in December and I can still visualize me holding her while she took her last breath. Parents do not expect to live longer their children and it is hard for them as well.
ATG- Glad to hear you had a nice holiday. I felt so busy this year, never fully feeling the moment so to speak.
Yes, the link was just to see what TN had to say re any particulars with the state re ME cases etc. Basically I was driving at that even if waiting on tox screens, they have the samples drawn, why are they delaying the release of the body for burial? I have seen in fact they are doing the service in AK. I am just feeling the lengthy time is so hard for the family.
Theories are all over on Topix. Some have mentioned she had a skull fracture or head wound. We will have to wait & see.
Rose, I am not feeling the Farms are all that important in regard to Karen’s murder. I think, imo, that the Bona’s extended to her an invite to get out and have a good-time. Not necessarily a hookup situation. Over the course of the years, I have had many gal pal’s hangout with my husband and I when we would go out or go to a party. Rarely was it to introduce to a potential man friend. But of course who knows. I do think, regardless, hubby’s takeaway was that of a date behind his back whether it occurred or not. Do you have any particular theory about what may have happened that night? I know many have mentioned a serial killer situation ( not here at BOC), but I am not feeling that either.
@ Rose,
. I’ve recognized several due to duplicate posts on both sites (not copy/paste, but the same post, sometimes even the same poster ID) Anyway, I’m not ashamed to admit that I dig for information anywhere I can find it. The trick is to sort through the riff-raft to figure out the legit posters. Often Topix will have information a whole lot faster than the media. Small towns are notorious for knowing what’s going on with their local residents before anyone else does and folks sure like to gossip!
I think you would be surprised at how many regulars here on Blink also post and or read Topix
That said, I have noticed a defined class diferential between the “regular” folks and what they refer to as the “Farms” people. They also refer to “Pill Hill” which sounds a bit more wealthy than the Farms. I agree, the Farms sounds upper middle class, not wealthy. Apparently, those who live in the 2 locations have a lot of political power and influence in the community in addition to some money. I do not believe any of the Farms/Pill Hill folks had anything to do with what happened to Karen. Cathy Bona was a friend. I don’t think there is anything suspicious about a friend loaning another friend money for a divorce, if that is what actually happened. That’s what friends do. I also don’t think that Karen was involved with another man or it would have come out by now. If the Bona’s invited her to a party to introduce her to one or several local single men, what bearing would this have on her murder? I sincerely doubt such a meeting would result in a murder. The only one who might have a problem with this would be David Swift. The other “theory” that is taking up a lot of space over there is the subject of a serial killer on the loose. I find that prospect to be completely absurd in this case. There MAY be a serial killer stalking women in that general geographic area, but I sincerely doubt one just happened upon Karen at the same time she was unfortunate enough to be stranded with a flat tire. I also don’t see a SK taking the time to carry her to the cemetery and dispose of her, throw out her clothing in another area and her cell phone somewhere else. It doesn’t fit any pattern I am familiar with. IMO, the dots in this case are easily connected and they all lead back to the husband. He is the person who saw her last, and he is the primary POI with the MMO.
Good post Investigator- I totally agree.
Personally I go with Blink who suggested compassionately David think of the children and offer the truth and it can only go forward from there if he killed Karen in a moment of heated disagreement inadvertently. My goal with topix has been to see if the Sheriff has made an arrest, not to choose theories. I assume he’s holding off for the written coroner’s report, & a wise coroner would type slowly until Jan 2 for the kids’ sake.
The coroner has no standing to hold remains for any reason other than a legal one, and if I had to guess, I would be checking civil filings for the possibility there is an issue of objection to the release of the remains to Mr. Swift, or a request for an independent autopsy.
Under no set of circumstances would remains be held for a tox report, a manner of death has already been determined, the COD, which I also believe they know to be blunt force trauma, would just be pending final autopsy as indicated by Eloise’s previous link.
Personally, I believe it is a combo civil issue, and a grand jury convention.
Anyone have any updates on the pending charges against Hogshooter?
I renew my concerns that a GAL should be appointed for the Swift’s two minor daughters, immediately.
B
I don’t rule out she went to see or confront someone at the party. Maybe not received well.
Otherwise, why leave your usual social party circle at that age?
And Habitat houses are in challenging areas; someone could’ve followed her home earlier, and then hung out.
But, I suspect there’s enough forensics to arrest the simpler explanation. So I’m just waiting for the arrest.
Sad situation.
Loved ones react to news of Karen Swift’s death:
~snip~
Monday, family members traveled to Dyersburg to discuss the case with police, according to Janet Ross. Ross said she graduated high school at Walnut Ridge with Swift and was her friend.
“I felt like it was coming because I know Karen would never be separated from her children voluntarily, but then still you have that tiny bit of hope in the back of your mind until it’s actually confirmed,” said Ross.
http://www.kait8.com/story/16306971/loved-ones-react-to-news-of-karen-swifts-death
Happy new year Blink and friends:-D
I know you can find some information at the local Topix website,but
you have to really sift through it.I can see through a lot of those
posts that David Swift (or and) his friends are posting,bad things about Karen.I hardly think she had time for a boyfriend or another relationship when she had some many jobs,kids to take care of, and trying hard to get through a divorce .I have read quite a bit
about different serial killers and this is not the mark and character
of a serial killer.This was a personal attack and someone very close to her.David Swift killed Karen Swift and there is no doubt in my mind.
I would love to see an arrest soon.Happy New Year to all!!
There appears to be some wild speculation as to why this autopsy/toxicology/forensic study is taking so long. Karen’s body was submitted to the ME on Dec 10″ . Here it is Jan 7 and it has not yet been released back to the family. Some possible reasons might include:
1) The family is dissatisfied by the autopsy findings and are requesting an independent one be performed.
2) The evidence collected bears some striking similarities to another victim, and Now the evidence is being shared by another case team
3. The family has not worked out where the body will be released.
I really cant imagine what other reasons they would have to keep the body this long…
@dianabee – excellent thoughts. Yes, I too am wondering why the delay.
I wanted to add that perhaps the findings are pointing to one particular suspect and LE and prosecutor want to verify to the nth degree before making an arrest.
Or perhaps evidence has led them to look for a specific weapon/tool and warrants are in the works.
I pray every day for an arrest!
Goodness gracious…I keep waiting each day for information re Karen’s
autopsy and the criminal investigation. Prayers for her lovely children and family.
I’d like to know how the City of Tiptonville Attorney, Tim Naifeh, ends up representing David Swift in his divorce?
He was just recently involved in a fatal traffic accident, no word on what caused the accident yet.
Yep. He is in critical condition, and is facing criminal charges in the accident, it is an alleged drunk driving or under the influence based investigation
http://www.stategazette.com/story/1802789.html
@ #32 what a tragic story. how sad 2 lives were lost and a family torn apart, and the eerie connection to david swift. not saying he is responsible for this of course, just musing about the kinds of people who end up connected and events that transpire.
i also like to read the comments under these stories. someone was complaining that it was published that david had hired tim to represent him in his divorce, and asked what happened to privacy in these matters? lol more musing about who would complain about that…..? i don’t know about TN, but in CT that is all public information and anyone can sit in a courtroom or find case details online or at the courthouse, including which laywers are representing who…. ( word girl, would that be “who” or “whom”? )
still praying for karen and her family and hoping to see justice soon.
Anyone know if this is Tim N?
http://www.dis247.com/disney-hotels/i-see-that-a-lot-of-u-r-saying-prayers-f-by-tim-naifeh-2
2 Jobs? Cheap loan? Haven’t figured out if this is him & what it means yet
@marnie – yes, sad indeed. I don’t believe in coincidence, but I do believe in Karma.
BTW, LOL, I think it’s “whom”, being the object.
@Rose – I’m scouring the internet for a pic of TN, w/o any luck…..
BB, sadly I’m not at all surprised.
@ pale rider, thanks i knew someone would correct me, lolol i agree about karma too.
i was looking at the FB link last night, and it appears to be the same person. there are well wishes to him for recovery, and i went back as far as i could, and then looked at the disney link. he also has 2 friends named scott. i went back on those postings and it appears one of them had a loss around the time of the comment on the disney link. not done checking tho. comments on topix give more insight into his character, if it can be believed….
Re TN
You all know DS’s atty has relatives living on Harness Rd?
Blink Biscuits for Eloise. How much you wanna bet they have been on topix, lol?
B
I know, and I hope you understand, that’s why I cannot post it.
B
Blink any news coming out of Dyersburg? The complete silence is bewildering and apparently Sheriff Box has taken to commenting on FB? WTH!!??
This is getting strange.
@ Edward:
Just in case you missed this, here is the latest update from the Sheriff Dept.
“In the Swift case, the body was recovered 42 days after her disappearance, which resulted in additional stages of decomposition,” said Box. “This can cause an autopsy to take longer. Also, in this case, examiners are conducting additional detailed exams on certain parts of the body, which is also preventing the release of the body until the exams on those parts are completed.”
Information about the case has also been the topic of discussion and some have requested more details be released to the public. District Attorney General Phil Bivens stated for the sake of the investigation, very little would be released at this time.
“It is an ongoing homicide investigation and until somebody is charged, there cannot be a lot of details released,” said Bivens.
More @ http://www.stategazette.com/story/1804735.html
The Sheriff also did his best to dispell the Serial Killer rumors that have run wild in this case:
“This office, currently has no evidence to link this case to any other missing person or homicide case anywhere,” said Box. “Even though the sex, race, and other physical traits of other missing persons may be similar to Karen Swift, this case has not been linked to any of those cases by any other law enforcement agency.”
I can’t believe this autopsy has actually taken this length of time, decomp or not, but maybe they are backed up in the Memphis ME office? I would imagine her family is a basket case waiting for them to release her remains for burial.
I have grave concerns for the safety of her children considering they remain in the home with DS. An arrest cannot come soon enough for me and I pray the responsible individual will not be given bail.
Thanks for the update link Investigator.
What do we make of this? What special tests on what part of her body could they be speaking of? This is horrible for her family.
I can’t comprehend any special body parts needing this much time to investigate. It’s a human body, not an alien!
The autopsy can take four to six hours on a decomposed body (including dictation and paperwork)but some toxicology reports can take a week or even two weeks to return, especially if something needs to be re-run.
Even internal damage can be measured and noted fairly quickly. If the doctors thought they should dissect the pelvic region, for example, which is not a part of a normal autopsy, it still wouldn’t take very long.
I’m calling BS here and request a forthcoming response asap–for the sake of her family and children.
They are matching wounds to a source, imo, and I have no doubt Mr. Swift’s counsel may be attempting to do the same. As an example, a fractured skull and how it got that way- and with what potential instrument. This is tactical and legal in nature, no doubt in my mind, your right.
B
YW Eloise.
From what I’m gathering on other sites, the TN ME office is always backed up and it’s a “wait in line” situation. Considering there was the holiday period in between finding Karen’s body and now, my guess would be that is part of the problem. I also think that if they needed to call in some experts, (the Body Farm, etc.) that may account for some additional delay.
I have to believe that the family remains silent in order to maintain a reasonable relationship with DS considering he has the children in his care. Don’t rock the boat, so to speak. I also think LE has to remain silent for the same reason. No need to alert the public to potential danger; already know who the responsible party is. Not much point in stirring things up. All we can do is pray for the safety of the children. I’m sure Karen is watching down and protecting her babies. Bless her heart…and theirs.
Thanks Word Girl and Blink….very interesting! I have heard the rumors of a fractured skull. Like I said, “rumors”, but it does seem to come up over and over!
Thanks so much Blink for that insight. Yep I’m hoping that’s exactly what’s going on.
O/T I got a BOC app on my iPhone. Yep there’s an app for that!!!
YEAH!
B
Word Girl says:
January 17, 2012 at 1:47 am
I can’t comprehend any special body parts needing this much time to investigate. It’s a human body, not an alien!
The autopsy can take four to six hours on a decomposed body (including dictation and paperwork)but some toxicology reports can take a week or even two weeks to return, especially if something needs to be re-run.
Even internal damage can be measured and noted fairly quickly. If the doctors thought they should dissect the pelvic region, for example, which is not a part of a normal autopsy, it still wouldn’t take very long.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hi Wordgirl, great post. I think the sheriff’s department’s explanation was reasonable. I do know it is not that unusual for a body to be held in the MEs office for an extended period during a homicide investigation.
The autopsy can take longer than four to six hours depending upon the condition of the deceased — and the time to complete an autopsy also varies with each medical examiner. In some cases the external exam alone can take hours before the ME moves on to the internal exam. Some MEs are quick and efficient; others are slow and methodical. Forensic anthropologists, entomologists, odontologists, weapons specialists, and other MEs may be called in to examine the body before the body is released to the family. This can take considerable time to coordinate, especially if these experts have full schedules or don’t live in the area. In some jurisdictions you may have to wait three to six weeks for final toxicology reports, but very rarely will a body be held for that reason alone.
Btw, dissection of the pelvis and the organs contained within is always a part of the internal examination in a traditional autopsy. “Limited” autopsies are done in certain situations, but when you have a female decedent and homicide has been determined to be the manner of death, the pelvis will be carefully examined internally and externally.
Grace, thanks for your clarification–I didn’t realize that the dissection of pelvis was included in a traditional autopsy. Of course, it makes sense that a female decedant in a homicide investigation would have the pelvis examined. (Rapists abound and may have murder on their minds.)
Also, I didn’t know about all the people who can have the body held–or the body’s release is held up for. I knew about a couple of them, but you have expanded my understanding, so thanks much!
Sometimes I think I have a little knowledge from my experience, but don’t know how little it is until I run into the real world! Lolz; good time for me to shut up and listen!!
Hey Marnie, i just caught your who and whom question…You know, i never really understood that grammar rule. I try to use whichever sounds right! ha!
Today is Karen’s 45th birthday. Prayers for her family and friends. I’m still hoping for an arrest….soon.