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Dyersburg State Gazette

Swift case may go before special called grand jury

Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Sheriff Box says no indictment will be announced until suspect in custody
Swift

Monday marked the one-year anniversary in which the body of Karen Swift was found. It also marked the one-year anniversary Dyer County Sheriff's investigators turned their missing person investigation into a murder investigation. Since that time, sheriff's investigators have focused their attention in bringing her killer to justice and preparing the case for trial.

Although the Dyer County Grand Jury met on Monday, Dyer County Sheriff Jeff Box said the case was not presented to them. With grand jury dates always known, Box said, if needed, he would make a request to District Attorney Phil Bivens to call a special grand jury. Even if a special grand jury is called, Box stated he would not announce if an indictment had been made until a suspect is in custody.

"We wouldn't announce if an indictment had been made and jeopardize the lives of those officers executing an arrest warrant," said Box. "That just wouldn't happen."

Box pointed out the investigation is ongoing and too much effort and time has been put into the case for them to not present it to a grand jury until they are ready to go to court.

"People have no idea of the amount of evidence we have had to process and what all we have had to do without there being any eyewitness to Karen's murder," said Box. "This case is still ongoing and we have several more things we would like to do to insure we get a conviction when this case goes to court."

Karen Swift, a 44-year-old mother of four was reportedly last seen early Sunday morning, Oct. 30, 2011, by her husband David Swift at their home on Willie Johnson Road (just off of Harness Road). Although she had filed for divorce from David Swift, on Oct. 10, 2011, she still resided with him and their two daughters at their residence. On Sunday, Oct. 30, within a short walking distance from her home, her white 2004 Nissan Murano was found abandoned a few hours after her last contact with her husband. The vehicle was located on Millsfield Highway near the intersection of Harness Road and had a flat tire.

An investigation into her disappearance continued until Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011, when her body was found by a cemetery caretaker near Bledsoe Cemetery in Dyer County. This location was adjacent to the historical lighted cross which is just off of Harness Road.

After the body was positively identified as Karen Swift, Box stated the case was being investigated as a murder. 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. In March 2012, the medical examiner's final autopsy report was released to sheriff's investigators and the Dyer County District Attorney's Office. The findings of the report were sealed from the public under a court order. In September, Box stated they had a person of interest in the case and were preparing for a murder trial.

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. Callers who wish to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers of Dyer County at 731-285-TIPS. Crime Stoppers pays rewards for information leading to the arrest and conviction of suspects.

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  • So in other words they're no closer to catching the killer(s) than they were a year ago...

    -- Posted by Dude2010 on Tue, Dec 11, 2012, at 2:27 PM

  • Yep, it is an absolute shame how the sheriffs dept has handled this case. Ms Swift deserves so much better. May she rest in peace.

    -- Posted by liveshere on Wed, Dec 12, 2012, at 6:15 AM

  • This is really getting old. He has talked like they are on verge of arrest for 6 months. Is the community in danger from this person of interest?

    -- Posted by fhurst on Wed, Dec 12, 2012, at 8:13 AM

  • I agree 100%!They should notgive her family nor thee public! Shut up till you can put up!

    -- Posted by chief_ty20 on Wed, Dec 12, 2012, at 1:13 PM

  • only got 2 more years before election. hope this case is disposed of before then (or, that may be the reason they have yet to do the job).

    -- Posted by closerlook on Wed, Dec 12, 2012, at 2:23 PM

  • It shouldnt be hard to figure out who done this considering how long its taken to get the evidence in place. Im sure the murderer is getting nervous by now. I cant wait to see him brought to jail. Everybody should be proud of Mr. Box for making sure they get it right. This isnt easy considering they have to convict the murderer without an eye witness. Its a shame that Karen lost her life.

    -- Posted by string31 on Sun, Dec 16, 2012, at 1:25 PM

  • Bull. Box botched this investigation from the start. Called off anyone willing to help in the search. Told family and friends she probably ran off. he Did not contact people after she went missing who had very good information in the case. Her body should have been found immediately after she went missing but box insisted she was not missing. Box seems to have an agenda here. shame on the state gazette for not following up and pressing the police. That was the worst investigation I've ever seen. A real police force would already have this thing over. Jus like the state gazette did with John Holden they are covering for the police force. This town is going back to crap and box and Holden are taking us there.

    -- Posted by Dburg27 on Tue, Dec 18, 2012, at 1:03 PM

  • Well i sure didnt know Mr. Box called off anyone that had good information from the beginning of this case. If thats the case then thats a shame. I feel like Karen wanting to move out and get a divorce is why shes no longer alive.

    -- Posted by string31 on Wed, Dec 19, 2012, at 9:49 PM

  • Karen's family and friends were frantic at the very beginning something had happened to her. David had already threatened her numerous times. At the beginning, Box called off the city police and anyone else wanting to search for her. He insisted she " was not missing. She ran off". That's why her body was not found until way later. He wasn't looking for a body. How much evidence was hidden during that time? How much forensic evidence decayed away with the body? How much time did David have to clean and dispose? Box didnt even walk a grid, take dogs anywhere but the vehicle and around the house, and didn even contact one of my family members who had been trying like hell to tell them David was just requesting that he use their yard to spy on Karen. Box didn't even contact her until 2 weeks later when he was finally ready to say she was reall missing. Box told all of us she was gone because she ran off. Most people do no understand how bad Box botched this investigation. It could have been solved in the first week but box insisted on it not. David had weeks to prepare a story and weeks if not a month to figure out how to get rid of evidence. Everyone of us, Karen's family and friends, will see that Jeff box is finished. We've already got enough people we've spoken to that should ensure he doesn't win again. He's a smart *** know it all and conceded cop. He Does not need to be head sheriff. The state gazette should be ashamed of themselves. Easiest paper to buy off I've ever seen and this is not the first time. This town is about to raise property taxes again becaus Holden has spent ridiculous anoints of money and now doesn't know how to pay for it. So we wil pay for it. I'm not surprised by the state gazette or this town, only these idiots would approve of box and vote the best mayor in Tennessee out to bring in a dud like Holden who has no clue what he's doing.

    Good job state gazette. PO DUNK reporting at its best.

    -- Posted by Dburg27 on Thu, Dec 20, 2012, at 12:40 PM

  • I would like to add I said "buy off" when referring to the state gazette. For the record, I don't know it they are being "paid off" by certain people or not. Maybe they are just really bad at reporting and pressing. After all, it is a small town paper. Thu don't work in the real world. Most probably don't hold degrees. But they should be ashamed. Karen's head was smashed in like a pumpkin. FOLLOW UP STATE GAZETTE. DO YOUR JOB. QUIT TAKING EVERYTHINNG BOX SAYS AND NOT PRESSING HIM. DO WHAT REPORTERS DO!!!! DIG!!!!!

    If this was a bigger place, the media would have already had box by the balls. Just PO dunk town and PO dunk media who couldn't solve a leaking sink.

    But I wanted To correct that. Not sure why but it just seemed like David was given way too much time to conceal whatever, and the state gazette and box have not done their job. At all. Let's vote box out next election. The guy is dangerous with his mentally.

    -- Posted by Dburg27 on Thu, Dec 20, 2012, at 12:49 PM

  • Ive always thought Karens husband did this. Its a shame they let him get away with it. Karen had told many people that if she come up missing that it would be him. She died a terrible death. Such a shame !!!

    -- Posted by string31 on Fri, Dec 21, 2012, at 5:58 PM

  • How ironic that the sheriff is concerned that his men may be harmed trying to serve a search warrant against the accused, but he seems to have no worries at all in letting this person walk around amongst all of the uncleansed public citizens, and doing so for over a year now.

    Maybe it would be safer if Joe Public kicked down this guys door and made a citizens arrest..........just saying.

    -- Posted by uncle_fiesty on Mon, Dec 24, 2012, at 11:38 AM

  • Good point uncle_fiesty.

    -- Posted by LisaDe on Thu, Dec 27, 2012, at 6:13 PM

  • OMG!! You people in Dryersburg are amazing! I have been following this case from California and our police and sheriff's office would have had this case wrapped up long ago. What is wrong with this Boxer and the other gentleman involved in this case. Please all of you in this town, please vote these idiots out. They sound like wannabe cops. It is a shame for the children and other members of her family for it to take this long. It is always, the husband that does it!! As of 12/11/2012, you have not called a special hearing of the grand jury. What is your problem. I am so glad I don't live in your city. Best wishes to the family.

    -- Posted by Cookmant on Wed, Jan 9, 2013, at 10:53 AM

  • I used to think that this case would eventually go to trial and the guy would be behind bars soon. Now I have my doubts. Its a shamed that hes gonna get away with murder. Karen was scared of him in her last days especially. How can they just let him get away with this.

    -- Posted by string31 on Sun, Jan 13, 2013, at 12:39 PM

  • Where is the January follow-up? Where is the February follow-up? It's almost time for the March follow-up! This paper needs to check in every month. This sheriff is not talking unless someone makes him. Even if he tells another tall tale, he is talking!

    -- Posted by sophiebelle on Thu, Feb 28, 2013, at 7:37 AM

  • I followed this case closely from the very start until a couple of months after her body was found.

    I don't believe she was murdered. It is possible she was doing drugs recreationally with her friends (the couple) and her boyfriend and ODed. They disposed of her body and her car and left both conveniently near her home to point the finger at her husband.

    -- Posted by charlesalb on Mon, Nov 4, 2013, at 3:01 PM

  • that is ridiculous charles. apparently you

    couldn't READ that there were "injuries to

    the body consistent with homicide?"

    -- Posted by corbin_wainewright on Sat, Jan 4, 2014, at 2:06 PM

  • THIS IS RIDICULOUS! HOW LONG IS IT GOING TO BE FOR THE ARREST THEY HAD BEEN IN FRONT OF THE GRAND JURY FOR? !

    -- Posted by right-wing on Mon, May 11, 2015, at 8:49 PM
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