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Six area rescue squads join in search for evidence in Swift case
On Saturday, approximately 50 searchers from several different counties continued the search for evidence in the missing-person case of Karen Swift.
Dyer County Emergency Management Director James Medling, in conjunction with the Dyer County Sheriff's Department, coordinated the search, which included members of the Dyer County Rescue Squad, Dyer County volunteer firefighters, the Obion County Rescue Squad, the Lauderdale County Rescue Squad, the Lake County Rescue Squad, the Paris-Henry County Rescue Squad, Gibson County Fire and Rescue, as well as a few local volunteers.
The Obion River and the White's Lake area (off of the Great River Road) were designated as areas of interest by the sheriff's department and some searchers started their morning at those locations. Searchers used boats on both the river and the lake and some were equipped with sonar to detect shapes underwater. Other boats used drag sets, which are a row of large hooks connected to a weighted piece of metal and dragged across the bed of a body of water.
John Baker of the Gibson County Fire and Rescue unit took part in Saturday's search said he was glad to assist.
"We are always willing to help out our neighbors whenever they need us," said Baker.
He and several others were searching the White's Lake area, searching the banks and dragging the bottom.
"There are spots out there that are about five to six feet deep," said Baker.
As some volunteers searched bodies of water, Dyer County Sheriff Jeff Box and other search personnel explored areas of interest on the ground, including the Millsfield area where Swift lived with her husband and children. Box said although Saturday's search did not produce any major evidence it did turn up some results.
"We picked up a couple of items of interest," said Box.
He continued to say the searches are still a part of the process of the investigation and allowing Medling to coordinate them with the sheriff's department will help them out considerably.
"Us, calling in the emergency management director to help with the searches will allow us to direct more of our resources in other areas of the investigation," said Box. "The searches have been beneficial in collecting potential evidence and hopefully all of this will provide some answers soon."
Box added his department is not releasing what type of evidence they have colleted so far in the case, but anticipates having the results back from the TBI's crime lab soon.
"We are waiting to get the results back on the evidence collected and see if they are connected to Swift or see if it points us to a suspect," said Box. "We are putting this case together one piece at a time and we have to take it one day at a time."
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, Oct. 30, on Millsfield Highway near the intersection of Harness Road with a flat tire.
Karen Johnson Swift is described as:
Age: 44
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.
* Visit www.stategazette. com for more photos and video of Saturday's search.