Betty Swetnam, 74, suffered a brutal and violet death in this west-side Sioux City, Iowa home. The elderly woman operated a massage business out of her basement. Courtesy photo Sioux City Police DepartmentBetty Swetnam
73 YOA
1610 West 19th St.
Sioux City, Iowa
Woodbury County
January 1, 1994
Betty Swetnam, a 73-year-old grandmother who operated a massage business out of her home’s basement, was brutally stabbed to death sometime between the evening of December 31, 1993, and the the morning of January 1, 1994.
Family members had tried to contact Swetnam New Year’s Eve as well as New Year’s Day, and became troubled when unable to reach her. Their concern grew after contacting Betty’s neighbor and learning Swetnam’s gray car was still parked in her driveway.
At 2:00 p.m. on January 1, the family sent a grandson and a granddaughter’s husband to check on Swetnam’s welfare. When they arrived, they could hear the television on inside but could not get anyone to answer the door. The grandson went around to the side door off the carport and found that door unlocked. Upon entry, the grandson observed his grandmother at the bottom of the basement steps, dead.
In the mean time, Sioux City Police had been dispatched to the home because a daughter, who lived out of town, had also tried unsuccessfully to contact her mother, and had asked officer to check on her mother’s welfare. Police arrived just as the grandson discovered his grandmother’s body.
The crime was considered both brutal and violent; Betty Swetnam had received numerous stab wounds, many of which were fatal.
Investigators found the home had also been ransacked with drawers dumped out of dressers.
Officials interviewed every client named in Swetnam’s book as well as all relatives and associates. Despite an exhaustive investigation, no viable suspects were developed and the case remains open.
If you have any information about this case please contact the Sioux City Police Department at 712-279-6390.
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