Sheriff's Dept. intensifies search with aid of THP Strike Teams, potential evidence found

Members of the Dyer County Sheriff's Department, two Tennessee Highway Patrol Strike Teams, and Shelby County Sheriff's Department search-and-rescue personnel line up along Millsfield Highway before searching the area on Friday morning.

Swift

Over the past several days, the search for Karen Johnson Swift intensified as searchers covered portions of Dyer County from the air, on land, and over water.

Close to 30 personnel from the Dyer County Sheriff's Dept., Tennessee Highway Patrol Strike Teams, a THP helicopter, the Dyer County Rescue Squad, and members of the Shelby County Sheriff's Dept. took part in the recent searches across the county.

On Friday morning, the officers formed a line along the Millsfield Highway and Harness Road intersection and walked west, combing woods, fields, ditches and thickets of overgrown brush. They covered the area where Swift's SUV was found and areas around her residence on Willie Johnson Road.

Keeping a tight formation, the search party for evidence in the Karen Johnson Swift case descends into a tree line.

Dyer County Sheriff Jeff Box organized the search and said they were going back over the area more carefully and searching for even the tiniest bit of evidence that could be connected to Swift's disappearance.

Roughly 30 minutes into their search, Box stated Strike Team members had found evidence in an overgrown area believed to be connected to Swift.

"We will have to wait for the results to come back," said Box.

Investigators and a TBI agent were called to the scene and the evidence was collected.

Box would not release exactly what was found, but said there was a possible connection.

"We are searching for anything of interest," said Box. "And we are still inspecting other potential evidence, which we have recovered."

He noted that portions of the Obion River and the Mississippi River were searched on Saturday in hopes of recovering more new evidence in the case.

Dyer County Sheriff Jeff Box (right) and Investigator Calvin Johnson (left) go over information on the Karen Johnson Swift case during Friday's search of the Millsfield area.

Tennessee Highway Patrol Lt. Don Despain shows members of the THP's Strike Teams a layout of the land in the Millsfield area before their search on Friday morning.

"We have expanded our search for evidence to bodies of water," said Box.

Investigators continue to interview people and they are going over potential evidence they have collected in their attempt to solve Swift's disappearance.

"We are doing everything we can," said Box.

Box stated they are also waiting for the results from Swift's vehicle to come back from the TBI's forensic lab in Nashville.

Saturday marked day seven of the investigation and Box said they are still treating the case as a missing person case.

"Until we find evidence or something leads us down another path, that is how we have to treat it," said Box.

Swift, a 44-year-old mother of four was last seen early Sunday morning, Oct. 30, by her husband at their home on Willie Johnson Road after she reportedly returned from a Halloween party. Her white 2004 Nissan Murano was later found on Sunday on Millsfield Highway near the intersection of Harness Road with a flat tire.

Karen Johnson Swift is described as:

Age: 44

A prayer vigil was held at the YMCA soccer field on Friday evening to pray for Karen Swift's safe return. First Christian Church Associate Pastor Jerry Mitchell led the service, which was organized by friends of Swift. Mitchell encouraged everyone to pray for Karen's return as well as for support and strength for her family. Karen Swift disappeared in the early morning hours of Sunday, Oct. 30

A Strike Team member of the Tennessee Highway Patrol wades through an overgrowth of weeds and saplings in the search for Karen Johnson Swift.

Race: White

DOB: 1/25/67

Hair: Blonde

Eyes: Green

Height: 5' 5"

Weight 138 lbs.

Anyone who has had contact with Swift, recalls seeing anyone near her vehicle since her disappearance, or has information regarding her whereabouts is asked to contact the Dyer County Sheriff's Office at 731-285-2802.