This week marks 10 years since the murder of 83-year-old Leona Swafford, a loving Arlington mother and grandmother who was carjacked, kidnapped, and later shot as she returned home from buying donuts for her family. At the time, a witness saw a man approach Swafford's vehicle as she pulled into her driveway on Sussex Drive at about 8:30 a.m.
Officials said that the suspect beat Swafford before forcing her into her car and driving off. She was later found with a fatal bullet wound to the head. They later found her abandoned car at a nearby apartment complex (Cedar Point Apartments at 2001 Elm Point Drive).
CBS News Texas reported that Swafford's neighbor, Doni Lucero, said that he was on his morning walk when he saw the gunman struggling with and hitting Swafford. He said he tried stopping the killer, but lost his grip as the man drove off with Swafford inside her car.
Swafford's body was found outside a home in the 1900 block of Kimberly Drive shortly before 10 am after someone saw a body on the side of their home.
Witnesses of the carjacking / kidnapping provided investigators with detailed descriptions of the suspect used to create the composite photo of the suspect.
If you have any information about this case, no matter how small it may seem, please contact Det. Hall at (817) 459-5325. Tipsters can also remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers of Tarrant County at (817) 469-8477.
