Karen Johnson Swift 44 yo, Dyersburg, TN Last Seen 10/30/11(remains found)

[Itaryl Moosee]

Went to Nancy Grace transcript page, and there is nothing that has not been discussed here.

Good read, though:

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1112/12/ng.01.html

[Itaryl Moosee]

Women alarmed about missing persons cases like Swift, Waller
CARUTHERSVILLE, MO (KFVS) -

It's a missing person's case, turned homicide investigation. Authorities say they are making progress on the Karen Swift case, and we could know a cause of death by the end of the week.

Monday, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation confirmed a body found Saturday in Dyer County belonged to Swift.

Police say Swift vanished in late October just after she picked up her daughter from a Halloween party. Later, authorities discovered her car. It appears someone slashed her tires.

Similar missing women cases most possibly not related, but women in the area are spooked. Don't blame them.

http://www.kfvs12.com/story/16318363/women-react-to-large-number-of-missing-persons-cases

[MuffyBee]

http://www.stategazette.com/story/1794468.html
Dyer County man describes finding Swift's body
December 14, 2011

[Itaryl Moosee]

The body found near the "X". Police raked and cut the weeds, which looked like the weeds in the background.

I can't see how anyone would just dump the victim over the weeds and the body not being seen during the first few days after she went missing. I know kudzu grows fast, but to grow over her would've taken a few days.

Unless the murderer made his way through the already overgrown weeds and did his thing.

----

In my local news, the reports say that there is a serial killer targeting blonds.

IF that is the case, then the circle of confidence may be getting smaller for the killer... because how did he know Karen would be going back out so early that morning?

[MuffyBee]

http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/267305/20111214/karen-swift-murder-family-missing-dyersburg-mom.htm
Karen Swift Murder: Family of Missing Dyersburg Mom Seeking Donations via Facebook
December 14, 2011

The family of Karen Swift announced on Facebook they have set up a memorial fund at the First South Bank in Dyersberg, Tenn., to help pay for funeral expenses. The family asks donors either contact the bank directly or visit the local branch location.
Janet Foley Ross, a friend of Swift's from high school, has also set up a second memorial fund for out-of-state donors.

"If you would like to donate to Karen's fund and you are not local, donations can be mailed to, IberiaBank, 121 SW 3rd Street, Walnut Ridge, AR 72476," she wrote on Karen Swift's missing page on Facebook. "Checks must be made to the name of the account, Janet L Ross for the benefit of Karen Johnson Swift."
 ::snipping2::


https://www.facebook.com/pages/Karen-Swift-Missing-Mom-of-4/267691069942366

Karen Swift Missing Mom of 4
There has been a Karen Swift Memorial set up at First South Bank to help the family pay for funeral expenses ~ 205 East Main Street; Dyersburg, Tennessee 38024 Telephone (731) 288-2800 for anybody whom is interested in donating....Please contact the bank directly or go by the local main or branch location.


https://www.facebook.com/pages/In-Loving-Memory-of-Karen-Swift/206465489434822
In Loving Memory of Karen Swift
Donations to the Swift family info: Donations can be mailed or dropper off at IberiaBank, 121 SW 3rd Street, Walnut Ridge, AR 72476. Checks must be made to the name of the account, Janet L Ross for the benefit of Karen Johnson Swift. There has also been a Karen Swift Memorial set up at First South Bank to help the family pay for funeral expenses; 205 East Main Street; Dyersburg, Tennessee 38024 Telephone (731) 288-2800. Also, at Corning Savings and Loan in Pocahontas, east of Walmart. See Sarah!
I know at christmas time most people dont have much extra money but anything will help this family.

[Itaryl Moosee]

Was reading in another board and there are rumors that the tire on Karen's car had a screw in it, and another puncture... and that the tire was slightly off the rim.

I'm trusting the police is investigating the tire, but there is much discussion on what happened to the tire to get it off the rim.

To me, there could be three reasons why.

First, staging... making it appear as if she tried to remove the tire to change it (though there is no mention of a jack under the car.) She was surprised while doing so by the perpetrator.

Second, the rim naturally got off after the tire went flat and was driven for a distance. The U-Turn where it was found could've made it worse.

Third, it hit something low.

I once saw a car hit a motorcycle right in front of me. On the first hit the motorcycle rider fell off on the pavement, and the motorcycle was pushed forward and it started spinning, then the car hit the  motorcycle again with the front tire. This happened in a split second while at a light, the motorcycle guy was just waiting to cross and was hit sideways. After the car stopped, the tire that hit the motorcycle became flat and came off the rim.

So, I'm thinking that maybe Karen's car ran over something steep, like something by the side of the road, or around the cemetery or nearby.

Okay, all my opinion.

----

In this case the prosecution will have to mount a huge circumstantial case because it looks like the husband (most likely POI) will not talk, since he lawyered up on the day Karen went missing.

Hopefully forensics on the car, house, and dumping grounds is enough.

[MuffyBee]

http://www.stategazette.com/story/1796485.html
Sheriff's dept., TBI awaiting coroner's report on Swift
December 20, 2011

Dyer County Sheriff's Department investigators and the TBI are still awaiting the results from the Shelby County Medical Examiner's Office for the cause of death in the Karen Swift murder case.

Chief Investigator Terry McCreight stated on Monday the medical examiner's office in Memphis had not sent their findings and noted it may take awhile before they complete it. He added the detailed process is time consuming and coroners were doing what they could to finish the report.
 ::snipping2::

[MuffyBee]

http://www.stategazette.com/story/1796479.html
Memorial accounts set up to aid Swift family
Dyersburg State Gazette
Tuesday, December 20, 2011

[cartfly]

Sheriff, DA speak on status of Swift investigation
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Dyersburg State Gazette

http://www.stategazette.com/story/1804735.html

The investigation into the murder of Karen Swift is entering its second month and Dyer County Sheriff's investigators are still awaiting the autopsy report from the Shelby County Medical Examiner's office.
 ::snipping2::
"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."

Box added the medical examiner's office could also be communicating with other agencies in the process and that could take additional time.
 ::snipping2::
Box noted some people would like to see them make an arrest in the case as quickly as possible, but said they must be patient and wait until all of the reports are complete.

"Although our office has quite a bit of physical evidence in this case, we have not and will not name any suspect, until we receive all results of lab processing that we need to complete the investigation," said Box.
 ::snipping2::

[MuffyBee]

http://www.stategazette.com/story/1812207.html
Swift's body released to family by coroner's office
Dyersburg State Gazette
February 3, 2012

The body of Karen Swift has been released from the Shelby County Medical Examiner's Office and Dyer County Sheriff's investigators are awaiting the coroner's final report.

Swift's body was released to her family and was taken to McNabb Funeral Home in Pocahontas, Ark., where Swift is originally from. The visitation will be Friday, Feb. 10, from 5 - 8 at the funeral home and the funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. at the Church of God in Pocahontas.

Dyer County Chief Investigator Terry McCreight said Swift's husband, David Swift, is listed as Swift's next of kin and the body would have been released to him.

Dyer County Sheriff Jeff Box stated now that Swift's body has been released they feel the coroner's final report on how Swift was murdered should be completed soon.

"After we receive the report, we can proceed further with our investigation," said Box.
 ::snipping2::

[cartfly]

Karen Swift's funeral planned as police investigate slaying

Posted: Feb 06, 2012 11:03 AM CST Updated: Feb 06, 2012 11:59 AM CST
  http://www.wmctv.com/story/16685718/funeral-planned-as-police-investigate-slaying
DYERSBURG, TN -

(AP) - A funeral is planned in Arkansas for a West Tennessee mother whose body was found last year as police continue to investigate her death.

The funeral for Karen Swift, who went missing last October, is planned for Saturday in Pocahontas, AR, after her body was released to the family from the Shelby County Medical Examiner's Office, the State Gazette reported.
 ::snipping2::
 

[cartfly]

I am not sure why the date of death reads December 10, 2011 but here it is anyway:

 

   
Obituaries

Karen Johnson Swift
(January 25, 1967 - December 10, 2011)

Send Flowers Send Sympathy Card
Send Private Condolences

Dyersburg, TN - Karen Johnson Swift, 44, passed away Saturday, December 10, 2011.

Born January 25, 1967 in Galesburg, IL.

She is preceded in death by paternal grandparents; Silas and Marie Johnson and maternal grandparents; Howard and Ruby Kidd.

She is survived by husband of 22 years since September 23, 1989, David Swift of the home, two sons; Preston David Swift of Conway, AR and Dustin Glen Swift of the home. Two daughters; Ashley Paige Swift of the home and Keeley Shea Swift also of the home. Parents, Gary and Carol Johnson of Walnut Ridge, brother Jeffrey Johnson of Walnut Ridge, AR and sister Lisa Currie of Searcy, AR. One nephew, two nieces, four great nephews and numerous relatives, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

While in high school Karen won numerous trophies and awards in track. After graduating she ran 5K marathons. She loved and adored her family and children and was always involved in her children’s activities. Karen has two boys in college and raising two younger girls by the same standards that she raised her boys. She is loved and will be missed by all.

Funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, February 11, 2012 at Church of God with Robert Davis officiating. Burial will follow in Randolph Memorial Gardens.

Visitation will be held Friday from 5-8 p.m. in the Chapel of McNabb Funeral Home.

Pallbearers include: Tommy Dunlap, Steve Shults, Mark Tanner, Mark Rowe, Fred Jarrett, and Neil Ray
http://www.mcnabbfuneralhome.com/fh/obituaries/obituary.cfm?o_id=1388986&fh_id=13107

[Sister]

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Karen-Swift-Missing-Mom-of-4/267691069942366?sk=info

Karen Swift missing mom of 4 Facebook

bumped

[MuffyBee]

http://www.wmctv.com/story/16910422/family-mourns-murdered-dyersburg-mother-of-four
Family mourns murdered mother of four
By Jerica Phillips
February 10, 2012

Video at Link

[MuffyBee]

http://lawrencecounty.kait8.com/news/families/66589-visitation-be-held-tonight-karen-swift
Visitation to be held tonight for Karen Swift
Submitted by Patricia D. Davis, Community Web Producer
February 10, 2012

 ::snipping2::
Funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, February 11, at the Church of God in Pocahontas with Robert Davis officiating. Burial will follow in Randolph Memorial Gardens.

Visitation will be held Friday from 5 until 8 p.m. in the Chapel of McNabb Funeral Home.

Pallbearers include: Tommy Dunlap, Steve Shults, Mark Tanner, Mark Rowe, Fred Jarrett, and Neil Ray
 ::snipping2::

[MuffyBee]

http://www.stategazette.com/story/1822215.html
Sheriff's dept. awaits final Swift autopsy report
March 4, 2012

Dyer County Sheriff Jeff Box and his investigators continue to wait on Karen Swift's final autopsy report from the Shelby County Coroner's Office before they enter the next phase of their investigation.

On Friday, Memphis media stated the autopsy report was complete. However, Box said his department has not received it.

"We have an active investigation where the final autopsy report still hasn't been completed yet," said Box. "Investigators continue to investigate this case and we are following up on any additional leads that come in. Each day that goes by is an additional day that we have an opportunity to add a potentially critical piece of evidence to this investigation."

He also noted when they do receive the report they would not be able to immediately release any of the details to the public since it was sealed in Dyer County Circuit Court by Judge Lee Moore.

In a court order dated on Dec. 21, 2011, Moore ordered the "autopsy report not be subject to disclosure as a public document and shall remain confidential pending the indictment and arrest of all subjects in the underlying homicide or pending the closure of the investigation into the underlying homicide."

Dyer County Sheriff Chief Investigator Terry McCreight and TBI Agent Nathan Bishop testified the release of the autopsy report "may seriously impede or impair the investigation."
More...

[MuffyBee]

http://www.kfvs12.com/story/17071264/karen-swift-autopsy-complete-but-cause-of-death-withheld
Karen Swift autopsy complete, but cause of death withheld
March 3, 2012

(WMC-TV) - The Shelby County Medical Examiner's office has completed the autopsy of Karen Swift, the West Tennessee mother who was missing for months.

The cause of death has been determined, but they said they are not authorized to release the document or any information inside.
 ::snipping2::

[MuffyBee]

http://www.stategazette.com/story/1827595.html
Swift autopsy report complete, details remain sealed
March 20, 2012

 ::snipping2::
In a court order, dated Dec. 21, 2011, Dyer County Circuit Court Judge Lee Moore ordered the autopsy report not be subject to disclosure as a public document. Its contents are to remain confidential pending the indictment and arrest of those responsible or the closure of the investigation.
Swift's body was sent to the medical examiner's office on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011, after it was discovered by a cemetery caretaker near Bledsoe Cemetery in Dyer County. The location was approximately three miles from Swift's residence on Willie Johnson Road where she lived with her husband and two of their children. Swift had been missing since Oct. 30, 2011, and her identity was confirmed on Dec. 11, 2011, using her dental records. Afterward, Box stated his department was pursuing the case as a murder investigation due to the placement of Swift's body and apparent injuries to it.

Box noted the four and one-half month-long investigation has produced numerous items requiring analysis and they are still waiting on a few more results to come back.

"This has been an investigation which has developed a lot of evidence that required lab work," said Box. "We have received lab results from much of the evidence submitted, but are still awaiting DNA processing and results of additional evidence that has been sent to the TBI Crime Lab."
 
 ::snipping2::

[MuffyBee]

http://www.stategazette.com/story/1849038.html
Sheriff confident Swift murderer will be brought to justice
May 15, 2012

Although no charges have been made in the five-month-long murder investigation of Karen Swift, Dyer County Sheriff Jeff Box says he is certain he and his team of investigators will undoubtedly make an arrest.

"We are confident we will bring the person, or persons responsible, to justice," said Box. "The investigation is still active and ongoing."

As the investigation enters its 156th day, Box said he would not release any details about the investigation due to the fact it would jeopardize the investigation.

"Our office has collected much evidence in the case and investigators still are confident that an arrest will be made when the investigation is complete, but not until then," stated Box. "We will protect the integrity of this case up to the arrest and maintain this integrity during the trial to see that a conviction is received. This case must and will be tried in a court of law and not in the media, not on the Internet, and not in the newspaper."
 ::snipping2::
The Dyer County Sheriff's Department is still asking anyone who had contact with Swift before her disappearance, recalls seeing anyone near her vehicle on Millsfield Highway on Oct. 30, 2011, or has any other information about the case to contact the Dyer County Sheriff's Office at 731-285-2802 or 1-800-TBI-FIND.

[MuffyBee]

http://www.wpsdlocal6.com/home/ticker/Investigators-say-they-are-close-to-arrests-in-Karen-Swift-case-151854915.html
Investigators say they are close to arrests in Karen Swift case
May 17, 2012

DYER COUNTY, Tn.----Arrests could be coming soon in the case of a murdered Tennessee mother Karen Swift.
 ::snipping2::
Also on Wednesday, Swift's husband David hired high-powered attorney Steve Farese to represent him.  Farese says his investigation uncovered some some suspects and that more than one person may be arrested.