S.C. Authorities Say 6-Year-Old Faye Swetlik Was Abducted, Died From Asphyxiation

Caryn Little,

CAYCE, S.C. — Authorities say an autopsy revealed that 6-year-old Faye Swetlik died from asphyxiation.  Officials also say that Swetlik was abducted and killed by her neighbor, 30-year-old Coty Taylor.  An autopsy on Taylor confirmed that he died of suicide from an “incised wound to the neck,” according to the coroner.

Faye Swetlik Investigation Update

Cayce, SC officials release details about the death of Faye Swetlik.Update: Faye Swetlik's death was ruled a homicide by asphyxiation and occurred within a few hours of her disappearance. Faye's death did not occur where her body was found.Autopsy results of the deceased male related to Faye's death will be released following this news conference.Faye Swetlik coverage: https://www.wccbcharlotte.com/tag/Faye-Swetlik/

Posted by WCCB, Charlotte's CW on Tuesday, February 18, 2020

Swetlik was reported missing on Monday, February 10th while playing in her front yard after getting off the school bus in Cayce, South Caorlina, investigators said.

While searching for Swetlik, investigators located a key piece of evidence in a trash can, according to Cayce Public Safety Sgt. Evan Antley.  That evidence helped officers center their search to an area in Swetlik’s neighborhood.  While investigating that key piece of evidence, an investigator located the body of Swetlik in a wooded area near NAPA Auto Parts.

Within minutes, detectives say they discovered Taylor dead inside a home on Picadilly Drive, which is only a block away from the area where Swetlik’s body was found.

Police say Taylor lived in the Churchill Heights subdivision, which is also where Swetlik lived.  Taylor was not a relative of Swetlik’s and wasn’t friends of the family either, according to Cayce Department of Public Safety.

Authorities say he did not have a criminal history.

“There is no threat to the community,” Sgt. Antley said in a news conference.  However, police are not releasing any other details about Taylor.

This is a developing story.  Check back for updates.

Below is a news conference where authorities announced that Swetlik’s body had been located and that they were investigating her death as a homicide.

Investigators Hold News Conference Regarding Missing Faye Swetlik

Investigators in the City of Cayce, SC give an update on the search for six-year-old Faye Swetlik who has been missing since Monday afternoon. Read more: https://www.wccbcharlotte.com/2020/02/13/family-neighbors-continue-searching-for-missing-six-year-old-in-cayce-s-c/

Posted by WCCB, Charlotte's CW on Thursday, February 13, 2020

On Wednesday, February 12th, Cayce DPS released pictures of two vehicles seen in the area around the time Faye Swetlik was last seen. The agency has not released if these vehicles helped narrow their search for Swetlik’s killer.

🚨MISSING CHILD UPDATE🚨Critical new information re: Faye SwetlikCayce DPS just released pictures of two cars seen in…

Posted by Josh Berry on Wednesday, February 12, 2020

Members of Swetlik’s family released the following statement after Faye was reported missing:

“Faye is a bubbly and happy little girl. She always wants to play and have fun. She’s not the type of kid that will up and walk away.  Her mom was very attentive in watching Faye. Faye pays attention to her surroundings.  Her grandmother is very distraught about what has happened because they are very close. We just want to find Faye and bring her home.”