Karen Swift Case
Karen Swift
Karen Johnson Swift was a mother, friend, and beloved member of the Dyersburg, Tennessee community. Born on January 25, 1967, she grew up in West Tennessee and remained deeply connected to her hometown roots. Friends and family describe Karen as vibrant and outgoing — “the life of the party” — but also caring and devoted, especially to her four children.
Karen married David Swift and together they raised two daughters, while she also had two older sons from a previous relationship. Those close to her recall that she balanced the busy life of motherhood with volunteer work and community involvement. She took part in school activities, church functions, and even worked with organizations like Habitat for Humanity, demonstrating her commitment to giving back.
By the fall of 2011, Karen’s life was in transition. She had filed for divorce in early October, a step that reflected personal struggles within her marriage. Despite the challenges, Karen remained closely tied to her children and community. Her friends recall that even as she began to socialize more, she always placed her family at the center of her world.
On October 29, 2011, Karen attended a Halloween party at the Dyersburg Country Club. She later picked up her daughter from a sleepover and returned home after midnight. That night was the last time anyone saw her alive. The following day, her SUV was discovered abandoned with a flat tire, and a six-week search began that ended in tragedy when her body was found hidden in thick vegetation near a rural cemetery.
Karen’s death devastated her family, friends, and neighbors, who had prayed and hoped for her safe return. She was just 44 years old. To this day, those who knew her speak less about the circumstances of her death and more about the joy, energy, and love she brought into their lives.
Karen Swift is remembered not only for the questions her case has left unanswered, but also for the life she lived as a mother who adored her children, a friend who brought people together, and a woman whose presence left an imprint on her community that endures more than a decade later.
Karen Swift Case
Karen Swift Case Timeline
Karen Swift Case Files
Early Life & Background
- Full name: Karen Johnson Swift
- Date of birth: January 25, 1967
- Hometown: Raised in Dyer County, Tennessee
- Education: Graduated from high school locally; attended college (details not fully publicized).
- Community role: Active in church, social organizations, and children’s school activities. Known for her volunteer work, including with Habitat for Humanity shortly before her disappearance.
Personal Life
- Marriage: Married David Swift; the couple lived in Dyersburg, Tennessee.
- Children: Four children — two adult sons from Karen’s prior relationship and two daughters with David Swift.
- Home: Lived on Willie Johnson Road in a family residence owned jointly with David.
- Reputation: Friends described her as fun, energetic, and “the life of the party,” but also deeply devoted to her children.
Later Years & Marital Issues
- By 2011, the marriage to David Swift was strained:
- October 10, 2011 – Karen filed for divorce. She sought custody of the minor children, child support, permanent alimony, a share of David’s upcoming bonuses (~$25,000), and a division of marital assets.
- Friends reported changes in her behavior in the months leading up to her death, including new social circles and more frequent nights out.
- Rumors circulated of extramarital relationships on both sides, and alleged involvement in a swingers’ club (unverified).
2011 – Disappearance, Divorce, and Discovery
- Oct 10 (Mon) – Divorce Filing
- Karen files for divorce from David Swift.
- Requests custody of two children, $1,400/month child support, permanent alimony, share of David’s bonuses (~$25,000), and split of marital assets.
- Property held as tenants by the entirety (surviving spouse automatically inherits).
- Oct 29 (Sat, evening–late night)
- Karen attends Halloween party at Dyersburg Country Club – The Farms.
- After midnight: picks up daughter from a sleepover, returns home.
- Brief encounter with David in stairwell.
- Oct 30 (Sun)
- Early morning: Karen disappears.
- Morning: David claims he awoke and could not find her. Attempts calls; a neighbor reports her 2004 Nissan Murano abandoned with a flat tire near Millsfield Hwy & Harness Rd (~1 mile from home).
- Calls son in Arkansas, friends, and then (after prompted by a friend’s call) reports Karen missing to the Sheriff’s Office.
- 2:37 p.m. – Friend calls Sheriff; David makes official missing-person report. Deputies search home and impound SUV.
- Oct 31 (Mon) – Sheriff Jeff Box, deputies, and K-9 units conduct searches around home and SUV site. Karen’s two cell phones later found smashed near a neighbor’s property.
- Nov 5 (Sat) – During searches, John Hogshooter (39) arrested for aggravated animal cruelty (allegedly poisoned two dogs, including one belonging to Swifts). Vehicle/home searched; no evidence tying him to Karen.
- Nov 10 (Thu) – TBI Violent Crimes Response Team processes Swift residence for trace evidence.
- Nov 14 (Mon) – Divorce Motion: Karen’s attorney files to depose David Swift.
- Nov 29 (Tue) – Divorce Motion: David’s attorney moves to quash deposition, citing Karen’s disappearance. Later moves to remove Creasy, alleging conflict of interest (Creasy’s wife was ADA).
- Late Nov – Divorce Motion: TN Attorney General’s Office moves to quash subpoenas of Sheriff Box and TBI agent.
- Dec 10 (Sat) – Karen’s body found near Bledsoe Cemetery, ~3 miles from SUV site. Concealed under kudzu, ~100 yards from a large cross visible from Hwy 78.
- Dec 11 (Sun) – Body identified via dental records. Case reclassified as homicide.
- Dec 15 (Thu) – Autopsy Findings
- Cause: blunt force trauma to head.
- Injury: 8 cm x 4 cm oblong depressed fracture on right skull, comminuted with fragments into brain.
- Additional: rib fracture, hairline crack on left skull (consistent with collapse).
- Body: nude except panties at thighs, partially skeletal, advanced decomposition.
- Not consistent with bat/club/baton; possibly consistent with pistol grip dimensions (theory).
2012 – ME Investigation
- Mar 4 – County Medical Examiner’s investigative report confirms homicide classification. Notes concealment under kudzu vegetation.
2013–2017 – Case Stalled
- Criminal investigation ongoing but no indictments.
- David remains primary suspect; Sheriff Box states evidence points toward him.
2018 – Autopsy Report Released
- Nov – Media obtain and report details of autopsy:
- Skull fracture confirmed.
- Underwear partially down.
- Advanced decomposition prevented ruling on sexual assault.
- No alcohol or drugs detected.
- Public and media interest renewed.
2019 – DA Case Review
- Oct – District Attorney Danny Goodman formally reviews investigative file.
2020 – Civil Suit
- Apr 28 – David Swift files lawsuit against PI Heather Cohen.
- Alleges defamation from statements linking him to Karen’s death.
2021 – Civil Motions
- Mar 28 – David Swift files Motion to Dismiss & TPPA Petition (Tennessee Public Participation Act – anti-SLAPP law) in Cohen lawsuit.
- Argues statements were privileged and tied to matters of public concern.
2022 – Indictment & Arrest
- Feb 2 – TBI executes search warrant at former Swift residence.
- Aug 8 (Mon) – Dyer County grand jury indicts David Swift for premeditated first-degree murder. Arrested in Alabama with Jefferson County SO assistance.
- Aug 9 (Tue) – Appears before Alabama judge; waives extradition.
- Aug 10 (Wed) – Arraigned in Tennessee before Judge Mark Hayes; held without bond; public defender appointed.
- Aug 31 (Wed, 2:32 p.m.) – Bond set at $200,000 with GPS monitoring, no-contact restrictions, limited travel (TN/MS/AL). Swift posts bond.
2023 – Pretrial Phase
- Multiple hearings on discovery and motions. Trial date not yet set.
2024 – Trial & Mistrial
- May 28 (Tue) – Murder trial begins in Dyer County.
- May 30 (Thu) – ME testifies about blunt force trauma and skull fracture.
- Jun 6 (Thu) – Jury verdict:
- Not guilty of first-degree murder.
- Not guilty of second-degree murder.
- Hung jury on voluntary manslaughter → mistrial.
- Jun 20 (Thu) – Grand jury re-indicts David on voluntary manslaughter & aggravated assault.
2025 – Motions & Dismissal
- Jan 24 (Fri) – State files Motion in Limine (Docket 24-CR-176) seeking admission of David’s browser history.
- TBI Special Agent Joel Wade testifies Swift’s laptop accessed Match.com and Adult Friend Finder 175 times between Oct 31–Nov 10, 2011, in private browsing mode under his password-protected account.
- Prosecutors argue it demonstrates motive (marital discord) and consciousness of guilt.
- Jan 29 (Wed) – Court hearing on admissibility of browser history.
- Mar 17–18 (Mon–Tue) – Judge dismisses voluntary manslaughter charge on statute-of-limitations grounds.
- DA Danny Goodman announces intent to appeal dismissal.
Current Status
- Tennessee: David Swift acquitted of murder charges; manslaughter dismissed. DA appeal pending.
- Alabama: Facing separate stalking charges brought by second ex-wife, Kelly Essman.
- Karen Swift’s homicide remains legally unresolved.
Case Records
Car and Location
Six weeks after Karen disappeared, her remains were found near a local cemetery, Dyer County Sheriff Jeff Box told “Dateline.” The medical examiner determined that she died from blunt force trauma to the head.
