The Search for Gabbiee Swainson
On Aug. 18, 15-year-old Gabrielle Swainson was reported missing from her home. This timeline follows the developments in the search for her.
2012-08-18 03:00:49
Gabbiee Disappears
Gabrielle Swainson went missing between 3:30 and 7 a.m., according to her mother. The only thing missing was her cell phone. No signs of forced entry were found.
2012-08-20 10:00:00
Gabbiee Reported Missing
Although she was reported missing on Aug. 18, the photo of Gabrielle Swainson didn't reach news outlets until the morning of Aug. 18.
2012-08-20 14:00:00
Freddie Grant Joins the Search
Sheriff Leon Lott said that Freddie Grant, the man later accused of kidnapping Gabbiee, joined the search shortly after the girl was reported missing.
2012-08-20 17:00:00
Twitter Hashtags Unite Searchers
Students at Ridge View High School, where Gabbiee went to school, began using the Twitter hashtags #FindGabbiee and #FindGabs to get the word out about the missing girl.
2012-08-20 17:00:00
Search Parties Organize
A search party organized by the Ridge View High School cheerleaders met in Spring Valley to start the search for Gabbiee.
2012-08-21 05:00:00
Flyers Are Passed Out
A downloadable flyer was distributed through Twitter, Facebook and Patch as friends and supporters tried to get the girl's photo out as much as possible.
2012-08-22 16:00:00
Search Moves to Broad River Road
Search parties split between Broad River Road and Spring Valley continued to look for Gabbiee.
2012-08-22 17:00:00
Prayer Vigil, Fund Set Up
Facebook united a prayer group at Gabbiee's church in St. Andrews. A fund was established to aid in the search.
2012-08-23 05:00:00
Ridge View High School Begins
Marty Martin, principal of Ridge View High School, spoke to Patch about the state of the school and how students were coping with a fellow schoolmate missing.
2012-08-23 14:00:00
Body Found, Not Swainson
A female body was found in front of a Northeast Columbia home. It was determined to not be Gabbiee Swainson. A man was arrested in connection with this killing.
2012-08-25 14:00:00
Foul Play Suspected
After previously telling the public that they had no evidence of foul play, deputies released that they now suspect Swainson did not run away.
2012-08-26 17:00:00
Cadaver and FBI Rescue Dogs Find Nothing
Two different types of dogs were used on Grant's land in Elgin. They turned up nothing.
2012-08-27 14:04:38
Prayer Vigils Set
As the search for Swainson entered the double-digits, supporters turned to God to bring the girl home safe. Prayer vigils were established throughout the area.
2012-08-28 05:00:00
Grant Accused of Killing Daniel Wood
After his arrest, Grant was accused of killing a man in 2011. Daniel Wood was found dead near his home on Kelly Road. Grant, too, lived on Kelly Road.
2012-08-28 14:04:38
Grant Arrested
Freddie Grant, Swainson's mother's boyfriend, was arrested in connection with Gabbiee's disappearance. Bloody duct tape with Gabbiee's DNA was found at his home.
2012-08-28 14:04:38
Grant's Home Searched
Neighbors sat outside as more than 100 officials searched the area surrounding Grant's home.
2012-08-28 14:04:38
A Second Kidnapping?
At a press conference Tuesday, deputies discussed a second case that Grant may be connected to. Adriana Laster went missing in Sept. 2011.
2012-08-28 18:38:11
Still Hopeful
The school superintendent released a statement Tuesday night that he was still hopeful Gabbiee would be returned safely.
2012-08-29 14:04:38
Officials Search for Grant's Employers
Sheriff's deputies released a statement asking anyone who may have hired Grant as a handyman to step forward and discuss his behavior.
2012-08-30 10:00:00
Sheriff Updates the Public
Sheriff Leon Lott told reporters that they had still not found Gabbiee, but are operating under the idea that she is still alive. A photo of the pajamas Gabbiee was last seen wearing was released to the public.