This Doesn’t Happen Here

On February 5th, 1997, around 8:35 pm employees at a Stuarts Draft pizza place heard the back door close that was shared with the next-door floral shop. At first, they thought it was the co-owner Dawn Snyder leaving. It wasn’t until they noticed she had left the lights on that they felt something wasn’t right. 
Once they realized her van was still outside with her keys and purse inside they KNEW something wasn’t right.
The next couple weeks left the small town of Stuarts Draft, Virginia reeling to discover the truth about where Dawn was and what happened to her.
 
Resources:
(n.d.). Bobby Wayne Swisher. Murderpedia. https://murderpedia.org/male.S/s1/swisher-bobby-wayne.htm
(n.d.). Bobby Wayne Swisher. Clark Prosecutor. http://www.clarkprosecutor.org/html/death/US/swisher866.htm
(n.d.). Bobby Wayne Swisher Obituary. Legacy. https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/legacyremembers/bobby-swisher-obituary?id=29646320
(n.d.). Dawn Snyder. Find a Grave. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/51760516/dawn-shadir-snyder
Shaver, M. (1997, February 9). Time of Woman's Disappearance Narrowed to a Half Hour Span. The Daily News Leader, 1.
Hewlett, M. (1997, February 13). Disappearance Shakes Draft Residents' Feelings of Safety. The Daily News Leader, 1.
Shaver, M. (1997, February 13). Prayer Vigil Set. The Daily News Leader, 1.
Bacheller, J. (1997, February 14). Praying for Dawn Snyder. The News-Virginian, 1, A-10.
Bacheller, J. (1997, February 14). Family Offers Reward. The News-Virginian, 1, A-10.
Shafer, M. (1997, February 14). Community Prays for Dawn. The Daily News Leader, 1.
Shafer, M. (1997, February 14). Family Offer $10,000 Reward. The Daily News Leader, 1.
Bergen, P. (1997, February 15). Friends Fill Orders for Missing Florist. The Daily News Leader, 1.
Shaver, M. (1997, February 17). FBI Enter Dawn Snyder Search. The Daily News Leader, 1, 2.
Carter, S. (1997, February 22). Body Believed to be Dawn Snyder. The Daily News Leader, 1, 2.
Meeks, D. (1997, February 22). Draft Residents Shocked by News. The Daily News Leader, 1, 2.
Bacheller, J. (1997, February 22). Woman's Body Found. The News-Virginian, 1, A-2.
Shaver, M. (1997, February 23). Body ID'd as Dawn. The Daily News Leader, 1.
Bacheller, J. (1997, February 24). Suspect's Arrest Rumored. The News-Virginian, 1, A-10.
"Dawn Snyder Obituary." The News-Virginian, 24 Feb. 1997, p. 10.
Shaver, M. (1997, February 25). Man Nabbed in Slaying. The Daily News Leader, 1.
Shaver, M. (1997, February 25). Arrest Jolts Friend From Childhood. The Daily News Leader, 1.
Hewlett, M. (1997, February 25). Though Relieved by Arrest Draft Residents Still Shaken. The Daily News Leader, 1.
Clark, J. (1997, February 25). Augusta Sheriff,'Jail Lacks Proper Space'. The News-Virginian, 43.
Bacheller/staff, J. (1997). Pic of Florist and JJs Pizza [Photograph].
Shaver, M. (1997, February 28). Dawn's Family: 'Help Us Help Each Other'. The Daily News Leader, 1.
Allison, W. (1997, October 29). Dawn's Family: 'Help Us Help Each Other'. Richmond Times-Dispatch, 22.
Bacheler, J. (1997, October 31). Jury: Swisher Should Die. The News-Virginian, 1, A-2.
Bacheler, J. (1997, October 31). Court Awaits Report Before Sentencing; Swisher's Attorney Planning Appeal. The News-Virginian, 1, A-2.
Bacheler, J. (1997, November 1). Family, Community React After the Verdict. The News-Virginian, 1, A-2
Lerz, V. (1997). Bobby Wayne Swisher [Photograph]. The Daily News Leader.
Meeks , D. (1997, December 31). Death Sentence Recommended for Swisher. The Daily News Leader, 13.
Bacheller, J. (1998, February 5). One Year Later...Draft Family Copes with Dawn Snyder's Death. The News Virginian, 1, A-2.
Bacheller, J. (1998, February 5). Swisher Will Face a Sentencing Hearing. The News Virginian, 1, A-2.
Hickerson, S. C. (1998, February 19). Swisher Sentenced to Die. The News-Virginian, 1.
Bacheller, J. (1998, February 19). Ervin: Death Pentalty Needed in This Case. The News-Virginian, 1, A-2.
Bacheller, J. (1998, September 16). Attorneys Argue Swisher Murder Conviction. The News-Virginian, 1.
 
 
 
 
 
 

Over the years while listening to and watching these stories I noticed a running theme. When cases in small towns were covered people would say “things like this don’t happen around here” or “this doesn’t happen here” as if being in a small town kept the evil at bay. I knew the false sense of security we feel in small towns is just that, false. 
 
I know this because my grandfather was that evil……. 
 
I have only met my grandfather in person one time and I do not even remember it. I was very young. However, his evil was very well known in our family. My grandfather had shot and killed a woman in cold blood at THE POLICE STATION!! 
 
Oh yea you heard that right I said at the police station….right in front of his victims mother and his own daughter!
 
Resources:
(n.d.). Houghtaling V Commonwealth. Justia. https://law.justia.com/cases/virginia/supreme-court/1968/6836-1.html
 
"Obituary." The Daily Newsleader, 2 Aug. 1986, p. 2.
 
"Obituary." The Daily Newsleader, 22 Aug. 1966, p. 2.
 
"FamilyTells Details Leading to Murder." The News-Virginian, 22 Aug. 1966, pp. 1, 8.
 
"Slaying Case Figure Said Improved." The Roanoke Times, 23 Aug. 1966, p. 32.
 
"Houghtaling Satisfactory in Hospital." The News-Virginian, 23 Aug. 1966, p. 8.
 
"Houghtaling Due Out of Hospital Soon." The Daily Newsleader, 4 Sept. 1966, p. 2.
 
"Judge Orders Mental Tests for Suspect." The Daily News Leader, 8 Sept. 1966, p. 2.
 
"Mental Tests Ordered in Slaying Case." The Roanoke Times, 8 Sept. 1966, p. 28.
 
"Houghtaling Committed to Mental Institution." The News-Virginian, 8 Sept. 1966, p. 1.
 
"Houghtaling Sane, Slated for Trial." The News-Virginian, 22 Nov. 1966, p. 7.
"Preliminary Houghtaling Hearing Set." The News-Virginian, 14 Dec. 1966, p. 1.

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