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Sheriff's dept. awaits final Swift autopsy report
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."
Box said releasing the information to the public would not be helpful to the investigation at this point.
"It is an active criminal investigation and you can't put every piece of evidence that you have out there," said Box. "Once the autopsy report comes in, then we can proceed with the investigation. It is one of the additional key pieces we need. The judge's order gives us time to review the results before they go public."
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 abandoned on Sunday, Oct. 30, on Millsfield Highway near the intersection of Harness Road with a flat tire. Her body was found near Bledsoe Cemetery in Dyer County on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011. An autopsy was performed on Swift's body by the Shelby County Medical Examiner's Office in Memphis and she was buried in Pocahontas, Ark on Feb. 11.
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, 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.