5 Shocking Facts About John E. Hogshooter: The Neighbor At The Center Of The Karen Swift Murder Mystery

The name John E. Hogshooter continues to resurface in true-crime discussions, even over a decade after the events that thrust him into the national spotlight. As of December 12, 2025, the primary context for his public profile remains his controversial role as a neighbor and witness in the baffling 2011 disappearance and subsequent murder case of Tennessee mother, Karen Swift. His sudden arrest on an unrelated, yet highly suspicious, felony charge during the initial search for Swift cemented his place as a figure of intense public scrutiny and speculation.

This article dives deep into the profile of John E. Hogshooter, examining the biographical details, the criminal charge that made him a key figure, his testimony during the high-profile trial, and the most recent information available regarding his life today. Understanding his connection to the infamous Dyer County, Tennessee case is crucial to grasping the full complexity of the investigation.

John E. Hogshooter: A Biographical Profile and Key Associations

John E. Hogshooter is primarily known due to his proximity to a major criminal investigation. The details of his life before the 2011 case are sparse, but public records and news reports provide a clear picture of his identity during the period of the Karen Swift disappearance.

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• Full Name: John E. Hogshooter
• Age: Approximately 39 years old at the time of the Karen Swift disappearance in November 2011. Based on records, he was born in December 1971, making him approximately 53 years old as of late 2024/early 2025.
• Location (2011): He resided on Harness Road in Dyersburg, Dyer County, Tennessee, directly across the street from Karen and David Swift.
• Key Association: He was a direct neighbor to the victim, Karen Swift, and her husband, David Swift.
• Current Location (Likely): Public records suggest a current residence in Jonesboro, Arkansas.
• Relatives: He is associated with Bronwen Kay Hogshooter, who also resides in the Jonesboro, AR area.

The fact that Hogshooter lived directly across the street from the Swifts and was involved in a prior neighborhood dispute made him an immediate person of interest and a key witness in the investigation.

The Controversial Arrest: Animal Cruelty and the Swift Disappearance

One of the most bizarre and suspicious developments during the search for Karen Swift was the arrest of John E. Hogshooter. This event, though technically unrelated to the murder, cast a long shadow of suspicion over him in the eyes of the public and the victim's friends and family.

Karen Swift, a mother of four, vanished on November 5, 2011, after attending a Halloween party. Her body was found three months later in February 2012.

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The arrest of Hogshooter occurred on Saturday, November 5, 2011—the very day authorities were conducting large-scale searches for Karen Swift near her home on Harness Road.

He was taken into custody on an outstanding felony warrant for aggravated animal cruelty. The charge stemmed from allegations that he had poisoned two dogs in the neighborhood.

Crucially, one of the dogs Hogshooter was accused of poisoning belonged to the Swift family, and another dog in the neighborhood had died as a result of the poisoning.

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Friends of Karen Swift publicly stated that they suspected foul play in her disappearance and pointed to Hogshooter's arrest as a significant development, highlighting a possible verbal altercation Karen had with him regarding her dog in the weeks prior to her disappearance.

This timing—a neighbor being arrested for a felony, specifically for poisoning the victim’s dog, during the search for the missing person—fueled intense speculation about his potential connection to the disappearance. While he was never officially named a suspect in the murder, the public's curiosity about his involvement remains a major part of the case's lore.

Witness Testimony and The Aftermath of the Trial

Despite the initial suspicion surrounding his animal cruelty charge, John E. Hogshooter's primary official role in the Karen Swift case was as a witness for the prosecution in the trial of her husband, David Swift.

David Swift was arrested in 2018 and subsequently convicted of second-degree murder in 2021. Hogshooter's testimony was part of the evidence presented against David Swift.

During his testimony, Hogshooter relayed an observation he made about David Swift's behavior. He testified that he saw David Swift talking to another neighbor. He specifically noted that David was using crutches at the time, but when the neighbor left, David Swift's demeanor changed.

This testimony was used by the prosecution to establish the timeline of events and shed light on the activities and behavior of the victim's husband around the time of the disappearance. The court proceedings highlighted the strained relationship and suspicious atmosphere in the neighborhood.

Where is John E. Hogshooter Now?

Following the conclusion of the high-profile murder trial, John E. Hogshooter faded from the immediate spotlight. However, public records provide a strong indication of his life today, over a decade after the events in Dyersburg, TN.

The man identified as John Hogshooter, born in December 1971, is currently linked to the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas. This move suggests a relocation from the Dyer County, Tennessee area following the intense media coverage and legal proceedings.

The Arkansas location is also associated with his relative, Bronwen Kay Hogshooter, further confirming the likely identity of the man who was once the infamous neighbor in the Karen Swift murder case.

While the final disposition of his felony aggravated animal cruelty charge is not widely publicized in the immediate news coverage, his testimony remains a permanent part of the Karen Swift murder case's public record, cementing his controversial place in the true-crime narrative. His connection to the case serves as a stark example of how seemingly minor, unrelated incidents can become intertwined with major criminal investigations, perpetually linking his name to one of Tennessee's most haunting mysteries.