Betty Swetnam

Homicide:
73 YOA
1610 West 19th St.
Sioux City, Iowa (Woodbury County)
January 1, 1994

Case summary compiled by Jody Ewing

Beginning the evening of December 31, 1993 and through the morning of January 1, 1994, family members of 73-year-old Betty Swetnam became increasingly concerned when they were unable to contact her by phone. Family members contacted a neighbor and learned Betty's gray car was parked in the driveway.

At 2:00 p.m. on January 1, the family sent a grandson and granddaughter's husband to check on Swetnam's welfare. When they arrived, they could hear the television on inside but could not get anyone to answer the door. The grandson went around to the side door off the carport and found that door unlocked. Upon entry, the grandson observed his grandmother at the bottom of the basement steps, dead.

In the mean time, Sioux City Police had been dispatched to the home because a daughter, who lived out of town, wanted officers to check on her mother's welfare since she had not been able to reach her. Police arrived just as the grandson discovered his grandmother's body.

The crime was considered both brutal and violent; Betty Swetnam had received numerous stab wounds, many of which were fatal.

The victim operated a massage business out of her residence's basement. Investigators observed that the house had been ransacked, with drawers dumped out of dressers. Investigators interviewed every client named in Swetnam's book as well as all relatives and associates. Despite an exhaustive investigation, no viable suspects were developed and the case remains open.

If you have any information about this case please contact the Sioux City Police Department at 712-279-6390.

Sources:

Sioux City Police Department