TN TN - Karen Swift, 44, Dyersburg, 30 Oct 2011 - #1

[TheDuchess]

A friend of my husband's just posted on a message board last night that his wife's friend is missing. From Orlando, Michelle I believe. Her H3 was found abandoned as well. What is going on??? I don't know if I believe these in the Southeast are connected or not! It seems do-able. :dunno:

My husband and I were talking last night about "what ifs". If they are connected. If these women have all been taken for sex slaves or whatever you want to call them. I know it's horrible to think, but then I think they could all be held somewhere and be alive!!! It's probably not likely and if so I don't think our LE has the capability of finding the leads they need for such a serial crime. Not putting them down, it's just not something they are used to I guess. I don't understand why the FBI isn't helping more.

:newhere:
I'm so glad to have a place to discuss this with people who care. Sometimes I feel so lost playing scenarios over and over in my head. Karen's mom has been talking to me on FB a little and she feels so helpless. Her status updates bring tears to my eyes.

If anyone is interested, on Nancy Grace the other night Carol (K's mom) was interviewed and said she didn't know the details of Karen and David's marriage. I believe she was being pretty honest. Her and Karen are close, but not like talking everyday close. She may not have discussed the details with her mom yet. I know that my mom and her are really close and she had only told her that she was going to leave for a few days while David is served. (She apparently took the girls for a short trip when D was served, I wouldn't want to be at the house either) She had not given my mom details of how he reacted yet. In a text between my mom and her, my mom said "will there be trouble when he gets the papers?" Karen's answer "BIG trouble." This weighs on me terribly.

Oh dear. Her poor mother must be just beside herself. Please tell her there a lot of people who don't even know Karen who are thinkng of her and praying for her.

No offense, but I wouldn't fear the sex slave trade, as they look for teen girls. I would be much more concerned about her husband. What you just shared really frightens me for Karen. It sounds like Karen was a very private person and just a really good mom. I hate when things like this happen to such good people.

She is beautiful on the outside, but I can still see inner beauty radiating from her pictures.

 

[~n/t~]

Can someone please refresh my memory.

When was the husband served the divorce papers?

When did Karen and the girls go on vacation?

Thanks to anyone who can answer.

 

[Here4myfriend]

I'm just answering from memory, but I want to say he was served Oct 17. I'm sure it's somewhere in the news articles, but I'm just answering from what I remember as she had been talking to us. She was going to take a trip with her friend and daughters for those few days as he was served.

So... Do you all believe that her husband did something?

I have to tell you that my gut keeps going there, but I still need answers. My mom thinks it was him. Where is she? I just need to know!!!

My mom called the LE and told them about texts 2 days after she had gone missing. She didn't know if they were important, but thought if it could help then she wanted them to have them. They said they definitely want copies. They said they would call back to get them. We've never heard back from them.

 

[otto]

A friend of my husband's just posted on a message board last night that his wife's friend is missing. From Orlando, Michelle I believe. Her H3 was found abandoned as well. What is going on??? I don't know if I believe these in the Southeast are connected or not! It seems do-able. :dunno:

My husband and I were talking last night about "what ifs". If they are connected. If these women have all been taken for sex slaves or whatever you want to call them. I know it's horrible to think, but then I think they could all be held somewhere and be alive!!! It's probably not likely and if so I don't think our LE has the capability of finding the leads they need for such a serial crime. Not putting them down, it's just not something they are used to I guess. I don't understand why the FBI isn't helping more.

:newhere:
I'm so glad to have a place to discuss this with people who care. Sometimes I feel so lost playing scenarios over and over in my head. Karen's mom has been talking to me on FB a little and she feels so helpless. Her status updates bring tears to my eyes.

If anyone is interested, on Nancy Grace the other night Carol (K's mom) was interviewed and said she didn't know the details of Karen and David's marriage. I believe she was being pretty honest. Her and Karen are close, but not like talking everyday close. She may not have discussed the details with her mom yet. I know that my mom and her are really close and she had only told her that she was going to leave for a few days while David is served. (She apparently took the girls for a short trip when D was served, I wouldn't want to be at the house either) She had not given my mom details of how he reacted yet. In a text between my mom and her, my mom said "will there be trouble when he gets the papers?" Karen's answer "BIG trouble." This weighs on me terribly.

First, I'd like to offer my condolences regarding your missing friend. I've followed this thread off and on since the beginning. A couple of points: regarding how much the parents know, I would agree that sometimes they don't know the full extent of things. My daughter and her husband split in Sept after 11 years together. I had heard something in May, a little bit in August and mid-Sept I heard that he had moved out. The full extent is worse than I imagined, but I still don't have the full picture.

Question: did she return to the home after he was served, and why wasn't he served with a requirement to leave? What was the plan? We they going to alternate being in the home for the children? I'm wondering why they were together again in the same house late at night after filing for divorce. That's the most dangerous time for a divorcing woman - the time of taking action.

 

[otto]

I'm just answering from memory, but I want to say he was served Oct 17. I'm sure it's somewhere in the news articles, but I'm just answering from what I remember as she had been talking to us. She was going to take a trip with her friend and daughters for those few days as he was served.

So... Do you all believe that her husband did something?

I have to tell you that my gut keeps going there, but I still need answers. My mom thinks it was him. Where is she? I just need to know!!!

My mom called the LE and told them about texts 2 days after she had gone missing. She didn't know if they were important, but thought if it could help then she wanted them to have them. They said they definitely want copies. They said they would call back to get them. We've never heard back from them.

Forward copies of the documents to the prosecutor's office and the lead detective - that's what I would do.

At this point, I think her husband did something to her. The children may know something, may have heard something.

 

[Here4myfriend]

First, I'd like to offer my condolences regarding your missing friend. I've followed this thread off and on since the beginning. A couple of points: regarding how much the parents know, I would agree that sometimes they don't know the full extent of things. My daughter and her husband split in Sept after 11 years together. I had heard something in May, a little bit in August and mid-Sept I heard that he had moved out. The full extent is worse than I imagined, but I still don't have the full picture.

Question: did she return to the home after he was served, and why wasn't he served with a requirement to leave? What was the plan? We they going to alternate being in the home for the children? I'm wondering why they were together again in the same house late at night after filing for divorce. That's the most dangerous time for a divorcing woman - the time of taking action.

I wish I had the answers. As far as I know, yes, she returned back home. The plan... no idea. The last she had texted my mom was just telling her that he was about to be served. I feel like the reason they are still in the same house is because he makes the money. She had a job lined up, to start monday, to help her be able to take care of herself and kids. She has been doing landscaping for a while, but this new job at the Y was a new start for her. I don't think she would have a place to go or money to get a place temporarily. You know, this is probably not the best thing to say, but my husband thinks he has ties with the LE in Dyersburg and this is the reason he is not a suspect. Could this be why she knew she couldn't get him out of the house? I think that when she divorced him 10 yrs ago she was forced back to marry him. I say this bc my mom was so amazed she was back with him and she knew Karen wasn't happy.

Again, questions that make me go crazy

 

[Here4myfriend]

Forward copies of the documents to the prosecutor's office and the lead detective - that's what I would do.

At this point, I think her husband did something to her. The children may know something, may have heard something.

Her sons were not talking to her since they heard that she was divorcing their dad. That is something she had told my mom. She said that her sons told her she should stay married for the girls, just like she did for them when they were little.

Her daughters are so young. I'm not sure if they could even understand if they heard something.

I know that her sons must be in so much pain since they were so mad and not talking to her and now they don't know if they will ever talk to her again. That has to weigh on your heart.

 

[otto]

I wish I had the answers. As far as I know, yes, she returned back home. The plan... no idea. The last she had texted my mom was just telling her that he was about to be served. I feel like the reason they are still in the same house is because he makes the money. She had a job lined up, to start monday, to help her be able to take care of herself and kids. She has been doing landscaping for a while, but this new job at the Y was a new start for her. I don't think she would have a place to go or money to get a place temporarily. You know, this is probably not the best thing to say, but my husband thinks he has ties with the LE in Dyersburg and this is the reason he is not a suspect. Could this be why she knew she couldn't get him out of the house? I think that when she divorced him 10 yrs ago she was forced back to marry him. I say this bc my mom was so amazed she was back with him and she knew Karen wasn't happy.

Again, questions that make me go crazy

This isn't sounding good. If he makes the money, he should have been required to move out, she should have stayed in the home with the children and it should have been sorted out over the next couple of years. If he was served and there was no plan for who was where and who was looking after the children, or if he was going to remain in the home while she moved out, that's not a good situation ... in my opinion. If the plan was for her to be away for the weekend and because of one of the children she was put in a situation to be at the home in the middle of the night, anything is possible ... especially if she disappeared at that point. Surely the children heard something ... coming, going, sounds ... nothing?

 

[otto]

Her sons were not talking to her since they heard that she was divorcing their dad. That is something she had told my mom. She said that [the boys] told her she should stay married for the girls, just like she did for them when they were little.

Her daughters are so young. I'm not sure if they could even understand if they heard something.

I know that her sons must be in so much pain since they were so mad and not talking to her and now they don't know if they will ever talk to her again. That has to weigh on your heart.

Heads up with mentioning the names of minors ... see if you can still edit the post and remove the names. I don't think there is any benefit in two parents remaining married or together when the parents don't get along - it polarizes the family members. The children won't understand that now, but eventually they will. All of the children probably feel a tremendous amount of guilt - unsure whether she left or she was taken.

 

[Here4myfriend]

Heads up with mentioning the names of minors ... see if you can still edit the post and remove the names. I don't think there is any benefit in two parents remaining married or together when the parents don't get along - it polarizes the family members. The children won't understand that now, but eventually they will. All of the children probably feel a tremendous amount of guilt - unsure whether she left or she was taken.

Thanks. Edited. They aren't minors, but I understand. The oldest is the one talking to media.

 

[otto]

Thanks. Edited. They aren't minors, but I understand. The oldest is the one talking to media.

Perhaps I'm overly cautious ... so often names are reduced to acronyms.

Someone must have heard what happened that night. If mom drove away, a sick child would have known it. Have the children been interviewed?

 

[Here4myfriend]

As I've said before, I'm new here. I would never mention minors' names. Edited, as requested. And thank you.


What I've heard is that the youngest, the one she went to bed with, has been to a specialist and answered questions. No, I don't think she's been interviewed by authorities, but I do not know that for sure.

I'm here to help as much as I can as well as hear opinions from others that might help me understand more. I miss my friend and I am so afraid of the unknown.

Goodnight

 

[katydid23]

As I've said before, I'm new here. I would never mention minors' names. Edited, as requested. And thank you.


What I've heard is that the youngest, the one she went to bed with, has been to a specialist and answered questions. No, I don't think she's been interviewed by authorities, but I do not know that for sure.

I'm here to help as much as I can as well as hear opinions from others that might help me understand more. I miss my friend and I am so afraid of the unknown.

Goodnight

:welcome: Sorry to have to meet you under these circumstances. This is a good place for you to come and vent and to come and formulate new ideas. Sleep well tonight. Hoping for better news tomorrow. :rose:

 

[ziggy]

I have a really good friend in the Nashville area who was getting divorced and their divorce laws are so different than CA - a judge would not order him out of the house and she was on disability...he was doing really weird and nasty things; anyway, she had to put a padlock on the master bedroom because she felt afraid. Could it be a problem with how the family law works? Maybe I'll do some research. It would be horrible to be trapped in the same house like that.

 

[CanManEh]

I don't think the dad had anything to do with this at all . Thier is the older son and he said on NG I think it was that no he was under the impression the divorce wasn't even gonna happen that they were getting along fine. He's gotta be close to 19 20 the son i mean iam sure he is aware of how his own mom and dad got along or if the house was full of tension and he said everything was fine and he is old enough to see if thier were anything else going on .

 

[dovebar]

Posts roll past quickly here and are forgotten, but I just want to encourage anyone reading to err on the side of safety and go to a shelter.

In my personal experience, although it can take time, your financial life can be rebuilt, over time, but your safety is paramount. As others have said, there are dangerous times and a breakup is one of them. Don't worry about the house or what you deserve or have earned, or anything other than being safe. Shelters will also take your children in. They will help you find a lawyer. They will also get you counseling that can help defuse things with a hotheaded ex. Mine defused when I spent time pointing out to him how much better he was going to be, how able to date and meet new people, and how my financial requests would be modest and in keeping with what I'd contributed to support him through school. Defuse, and slip away.

Read something helpful like Gavin de Becker's The Gift of Fear, and listen to your hinky meter. When you are telling people there will be "big trouble," you need to tell yourself as well.

Whether or not the husband was involved here, please, can we help each other be safer?

 

[otto]

I'm not from the area so I'm trying to get a picture of where her car was found in relation to her home and where the search area is. I put together this from articles and maps ... corrections welcome. The image is 800 by 1600 (long) with the hopes of not blowing anyone's computer screen margins.

 

[otto]

I have a really good friend in the Nashville area who was getting divorced and their divorce laws are so different than CA - a judge would not order him out of the house and she was on disability...he was doing really weird and nasty things; anyway, she had to put a padlock on the master bedroom because she felt afraid. Could it be a problem with how the family law works? Maybe I'll do some research. It would be horrible to be trapped in the same house like that.

I would be interested in learning more about this as well. If he could not be required to leave, then she should have left with the children. Would they have gone with her? It would have been very difficult to go on her own, but it sounds like that's what she was doing - but she didn't yet have a place to go?

 

[otto]

They found her car with a flat tire .5 - 1 mile from her home at the corner of Harness Road and Millsfield Highway? Did she leave the home, have a flat tire and then what ... attempt to walk home and someone along Harness Road attacked her? I'm assuming that she lived along Harness Road ... or would she have had to walk along the highway to return home?

If she had to walk along the highway to return home from a flat tire, and if the flat tire is genuine, then it's possible that she was in the wrong place at the wrong time and something random happened. If that were the case, she would have had her cell phone in her hand - given the circumstances, and she would have had someone on speed dial if a car was slowing down. In fact, why wouldn't she have called someone for help if she had a flat tire in the middle of the night? Assuming she had a flat tire, didn't call anyone, then if she was attacked in the area she most likely would have lost her phone in the area ... so if her phone isn't found in the area then she probably wasn't attacked near the car. Her cell phone was last used at 5 am accessing the internet - info from four days ago ... do we know from where that call was made? A 5 AM call wouldn't necessarily correlate with the time of dropping off her daughter. Could she have left after duaghter fell asleep and had no where to go ... ended up in the wrong place? Has there been any info on why the tire was flat - puncture, slow leak, common, uncommon?

 

[~n/t~]

They found her car with a flat tire .5 - 1 mile from her home at the corner of Harness Road and Millsfield Highway? Did she leave the home, have a flat tire and then what ... attempt to walk home and someone along Harness Road attacked her? I'm assuming that she lived along Harness Road ... or would she have had to walk along the highway to return home?

If she had to walk along the highway to return home from a flat tire, and if the flat tire is genuine, then it's possible that she was in the wrong place at the wrong time and something random happened. If that were the case, she would have had her cell phone in her hand - given the circumstances, and she would have had someone on speed dial if a car was slowing down. In fact, why wouldn't she have called someone for help if she had a flat tire in the middle of the night? Assuming she had a flat tire, didn't call anyone, then if she was attacked in the area she most likely would have lost her phone in the area ... so if her phone isn't found in the area then she probably wasn't attacked near the car. Her cell phone was last used at 5 am accessing the internet - info from four days ago ... do we know from where that call was made? A 5 AM call wouldn't necessarily correlate with the time of dropping off her daughter. Could she have left after duaghter fell asleep and had no where to go ... ended up in the wrong place? Has there been any info on why the tire was flat - puncture, slow leak, common, uncommon?

I don't believe we have the answers to the questions you're asking. After the search of the home, it seems everything went quiet as far as evidence. Questions lingering regarding cell phone activity.