UPDATE: Lexington County Coroner Margaret Fisher confirmed that 6-year-old Faye Swetlik died from asphyxiation within a few hours of her disappearance.
Asphyxiation means she was strangled or choked to death. Authorities said they have evidence that shows Coty Scott Taylor, 30, a neighbor, killed her.
“Evidence leads us to believe that the deceased abducted and killed Faye Swetlik and it appears that he is the sole perpetrator of this crime,” said Byron Snellgrove, director of Cayce Department of Public Safety. “Faye’s body was moved in the shadow of the night to behind the townhouses where she was found.”
Fisher said during the news conference that this homicide case has been “extremely difficult on all of us.”
“To Faye’s mother and father, my heart — like so many others — breaks for you,” said said. “I know there is nothing that I can say that will bring you comfort or peace. I am so deeply sorry for what you are going through and for the loss of your precious baby girl.”
Fisher released Tuesday afternoon that Taylor, 30, died as a result of a cut to his neck. Taylor’s manner of death was ruled a suicide.
We’ll continue to update this story with more information as it becomes available.
We’ll continue to update this story with more information as it becomes available.
CAYCE, SC (WBTW) – Officials are expected to provide an update and release autopsy results Tuesday in the homicide investigation of 6-year-old Faye Swetlik.
The Cayce Department of Public Safety says a press conference will be held at Trinity Baptist Church in Cayce at 3 p.m.
News13 will live stream this press conference on our website here.
Funeral arrangements were announced on Monday for Swetlik. A memorial service will be held at Trinity Baptist Church on February 21 at 7:00 p.m.
WIS previously reported that the funeral home, Caughman Harman Funeral Home, planned to cover all expenses.
Swetlik’s family reported her missing on February 10 at around 5:00 p.m. after seeing her playing in the front yard of their home in the Churchill Heights Neighborhood just an hour before.
On February 13, authorities announced they found Swetlik’s body and the body of Coty Scott Taylor, 30.
Cayce police said the girl’s body was found in the woods, and police think it was put there after investigators found evidence inside the trash can of a neighbor, identified as Taylor.
On Friday, authorities released audio of the 911 call Swetlik’s mother made the afternoon she went missing. Excerpts from that 911 call can be read here.
News13’s sister station WSPA spoke with neighbors in Cayce following the announcement that Swetlik’s body had been found. Read what neighbors had to say here.
Police escorted Swetlik’s body from MUSC in Charleston, where an autopsy was performed, back to Cayce.
Swetlik’s death is being investigated as a homicide, authorities said.
Count on News13 for updates.
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