ANDERSON, Ind. —
Swann Sawyer was a strong, independent and adventurous woman. Perhaps some of that personality came from her namesake — NFL hall of famer Lynn Swann.
Swann Sawyer’s mom, Deborah, joked that the girl’s father, Billy Sawyer, is a football fanatic.
Like Deborah, Swann’s older sister, Ieesha Sawyer-Lewis, said her sister was one of the most independent people she knew.
“She didn’t want help from anyone,” Ieesha said. “She was so strong-minded. When she decided she was going to do something, she would figure out a way to get it done. And she was never a follower.”
The death of Swann, 26, was unexpected enough, but when the family learned it was at the hand of her fiance, the news was even harder to take, Deborah said.
On Oct. 15, 2006, Russell Disbrow, 20, shot Swann three times in the back as she was trying to leave their Arizona apartment complex with Disbrow’s brother and mother. He then turned the gun on himself. Both died of those injuries.
The day that Swann was killed, Deborah said her daughter told her about Disbrow’s drinking and how unhappy she was with it. But Deborah said she thought the two otherwise were happy, and she was shocked to hear of what happened.
“That day I’d lost her I talked to (Russell) and he said they were going to get married and give me some beautiful grandchildren,” Deborah said. “She would have been a very doting, loving and protective momma.”
Swann, a Madison Heights High graduate, had some struggles in her younger years in Anderson, Deborah said, but she had gotten back on track just before deciding to move west to Arizona to care for an ailing cousin and her family.
Ieesha was the oldest of Deborah’s five daughters and said the girls were close, always performing songs, dances or skits together at family reunions. Their great-grandmother even called them the Sawyer Five. The five would get portraits taken at least once a year, but since Swann’s death the four haven’t continued the tradition.
“It’s not the same without her,” Ieesha said. “We miss her. She’s the missing puzzle piece we can’t get past. She was such a sweet girl, very beautiful.”
Swann was working for less than a year at Wal-Mart in Arizona before they’d asked her to become a department manager, Deborah said, proudly, of her daughter.
“She loved Arizona. She loved her job,” Deborah said. “She told us that’s where she wanted to stay. When I went out to visit her, I knew she was doing well and was so happy.”
In addition to her four sisters, Swann had a half-sister and brother.
Faces of Domestic Violence
Related Photos
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Swann Sawyer
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Swann Sawyer's family remembers her as a strong, independent woman. From left in the back are Billy Sawyer Sr., Deborah Sawyer, Cheryl Sawyer, Helen Poole, Yvonne Sawyer, Billy Sawyer Jr., Ieesha Lewis, Monique Sawyer, Angelica Sawyer and Bilena Sawyer. Seated in front are Nicholas Simmons, Da'Mari Perry, Akai Hardy, Noeh Johnson, Yazmine Sawyer, Gabrielle Jordan, Alexis Jones and Swantez Wright. Not pictured are Janessa McDonald-Sawyer and Jeffery Sawyer. Don Knight
Discussion
Swann Sawyer: 'Not the same without her'
- Faces of Domestic Violence
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Who can stop domestic violence? You
The elimination of abuse in relationships — with time, cooperation and commitment — is possible, said Colleen Yeakle, coordinator of the Indiana Coalition of Domestic Violence’s (ICADV) prevention initiative.
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Legislation comes a long way, but more change needed
Each year the Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence sets its legislative priorities based on year-round discussions with its members and legislators to see what needs are out there and what is going on in the field.
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Children affected by abuse too
While some may think the atmosphere at Alternatives, the Anderson domestic violence shelter, would be a somber one, instead it is a building filled with laughter and joy.
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Kristy Gissendanner: 'Vivacious and sweet'
Six-day-old Gabrielle Gissendanner and her 18-month-old brother Michael weren’t far from their mom when Harry Gissendanner shot and killed Kristy in their Anderson home in 2004.
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John Davis: ‘Defined by your actions and inactions’
John Davis wants his pain to make a difference. He’s hopeful sharing what he experienced and witnessed growing up will empower someone else to leave a dangerous situation or avoid it altogether.
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‘It was life-altering’
Casey Huffman should have taken her son Camdon to his first day of kindergarten this year. She should be picking out a Halloween costume for him. She should be thinking about how to help him achieve his hopes and dreams. Instead, Casey mourns over his all-too-early death.
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Tina Tomlinson: 'She was a hoot'
Tina Tomlinson was just “plain fun,” her family recalled. The mother of two and dedicated grandmother was someone family could look to for a good time.
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Domestic violence prevention is possible, expert says
Gender stereotypes are just one thing that Todd Cawthorn and five other speakers, during a 90-minute panel discussion Tuesday night, talked about that create an environment where domestic violence is accepted.
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Teens can be victims of domestic violence, too
Dating violence has been seen locally in relationships as young as sixth grade, Alternatives Inc. prevention specialist Todd Cawthorn said.
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Justice for victims
While a protective order is an important piece of the legal puzzle that domestic violence victims have to solve, Judge Stephen Clase stresses to each that it is, after all, “just a piece of paper.” “They won’t stop a knife or a bullet,” he said. “I tell them they need to be on guard at all times.”
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