When Mental Illness Meets Murder: The Harley Swols Case
On a somber day in August 2021, the lives of a family were forever changed when 22-year-old Harley Swols was arrested following the discovery of two bodies in a residential home. Authorities found Swols' grandmother, Mary Rose, and her grandmother's boyfriend, Sammy, with multiple stab wounds. The case quickly gained attention due to the familial relationship between the suspect and victims.
Prior to the incident, there had been tension in the relationship, with a protective order issued against Swols after her grandmother had asked her to leave the residence. On the day of the incident, Swols claimed to have visited the home to collect clothing at her grandmother's invitation. What began as a seemingly routine visit escalated rapidly, though Swols provided limited details about the argument that witnesses reported hearing from neighboring homes.
Key Takeaways
Harley Swols was arrested in August 2021 after her grandmother and her boyfriend were found stabbed to death in their home.
A protective order had previously been issued after Swols allegedly threatened her grandmother when told she could no longer stay at the residence.
During police interrogation, Swols admitted to being at the scene with a knife but provided conflicting and limited information about the events that transpired.
The Crime Scene
Discovery of the Deceased
On August 2021, law enforcement officials discovered the bodies of an elderly woman and her partner in their residence. The victims were identified as Mary Rose, 22-year-old Harley Swols' grandmother, and her boyfriend, Sammy. The scene revealed that both victims were found lying in their home with no signs of life. Police were initially called to the residence after neighbors reported hearing yelling and an argument, which was loud enough to alert nearby residents and prompt them to contact authorities.
When officers arrived at the scene, they found Harley in the kitchen area of the home. The relationship between Harley and her grandmother had been strained prior to the incident, with a protective order previously issued against Harley following threats she had allegedly made toward her grandmother's life.
Fatal Injuries
The medical examination revealed that both victims suffered multiple stab wounds, which appeared to be the cause of death. Investigators determined that a knife was used in the commission of the crime. During questioning, Harley acknowledged possessing a black knife that she claimed belonged to the house, though she initially denied using it for any purpose.
The wounds were consistent with a violent altercation that had occurred shortly before the authorities arrived. The timeline suggests that the fatal injuries were inflicted within minutes of Harley's arrival at the residence, where she claimed she had gone to collect clothing items from her grandmother's bedroom. This visit occurred despite previous tensions that had led to Harley's eviction from the property, which had reportedly triggered violent behavior.
Harley Swols' Detention and Questioning
Physical Mannerisms During Interview
During the police interview in August 2021, Harley Swols, a 22-year-old suspect, displayed noticeable physical behaviors that caught the attention of investigators. Detectives observed apparent twitching movements that seemed forced or deliberate rather than natural. When questioned about these movements, the detective directly asked if this was normal behavior for her or if it might be related to nervousness.
The detective also inquired whether Swols had any diagnosed medical conditions or was taking medications that might explain the twitching. This line of questioning suggested the investigators were attempting to establish a baseline for her behavior to better interpret her responses during the interview.
Interview Conversation
The interview began with establishing Swols' whereabouts on the night in question. She stated she had been at what she described as "her house" on 17th Avenue, having arrived there after finishing her shift at Staples. According to her account, she had taken an Uber to her grandmother's residence to collect some clothing items.
When pressed about what transpired at the house, Swols initially claimed she couldn't remember details but then acknowledged that things had "gotten out of hand." This admission immediately drew the detectives' attention, prompting them to dig deeper into what exactly had occurred.
The detectives repeatedly asked about possible arguments or conflicts at the residence. While Swols initially denied any argument took place, the investigators informed her that neighbors had reported hearing yelling. When confronted with this information, Swols maintained she couldn't remember what had escalated the situation.
Key contradictions in Swols' statements:
First claimed she went to get clothes her grandmother had for her
Initially stated nothing happened but later mentioned things "got out of hand"
Denied arguments occurred but later acknowledged yelling
Claimed not to remember details of escalation despite clear recall of other events
The interview took a significant turn when questioning shifted to a knife. Swols denied carrying a knife regularly but admitted to having one at the scene. When asked directly about what she did with the knife, she responded "nothing," though detectives noted she wouldn't maintain eye contact during this portion of questioning.
Rights Notification
The detectives properly advised Swols of her legal rights early in the interview. They clearly stated they were at the police department and formally acknowledged this fact to ensure she understood the official nature of the conversation.
The investigator explicitly mentioned, "Because you're at the police station, I've got to do your rights," indicating the standard Miranda procedure was being followed. Before proceeding with substantive questioning, they verified that Swols was willing to speak with them, to which she gave affirmative responses.
It's worth noting that prior to the incident, a protective order had been issued against Swols after her grandmother had prohibited her from staying at the residence. This followed an incident where Swols reportedly became violent and threatened her grandmother's life upon learning of her eviction.
Background Details
Victim Profiles
The investigation centers around the deaths of a grandmother named Mary Rose and her boyfriend Sammy. Both individuals were found deceased in their residence with multiple stab wounds in August 2021. The residence appears to be located at an address on 17th Avenue, which Mary Rose shared with Sammy. Prior to the incident, Mary Rose had issued a protective order against her granddaughter after telling her she could no longer live at the residence. This eviction reportedly led to violent behavior and threats from the granddaughter toward Mary Rose.
Suspect's Activities and Timeline
Harley Swols, 22 years old at the time of her arrest, was employed at Staples. On the day of the incident, she visited her grandmother's home after her work shift, claiming she had been invited to collect some clothing items. According to her initial statements, she traveled to the residence via an Uber service. During police questioning, Harley exhibited unusual twitching behavior that officers noted appeared forced rather than natural. Prior to this visit, Harley had successfully retrieved belongings from the home on a previous occasion without incident. When questioned about the events, Harley acknowledged entering the bedroom with both victims present but provided inconsistent accounts about what transpired afterward. Neighbors reported hearing shouting and arguments from the residence, which ultimately resulted in police being called to the scene. When officers arrived, they found Harley in the kitchen area of the home. She admitted to having a black knife that belonged to her, though initially claimed she "didn't do anything with it."
Incident Details
Visit to Grandmother's Residence
In August 2021, 22-year-old Harley Swols went to her grandmother's home after finishing her shift at Staples. She arranged transportation through Uber to reach the residence at 17th Avenue. According to her statements, she went there to collect some clothing items her grandmother had prepared for her. This visit was significant because a protective order had previously been issued against Harley after her grandmother had informed her she could no longer stay at the residence.
During police questioning, Harley displayed noticeable twitching, which appeared forced. When asked about this behavior, she did not provide a clear explanation. The officers noted this physical response throughout the interrogation session.
Account of Events at the Scene
Upon arriving at the residence, Harley entered her grandmother's bedroom where both her grandmother, Mary Rose, and Mary's boyfriend Sammy were present. Harley stated she went into the closet to retrieve clothing items as instructed. The timeline indicates that within minutes of her arrival, a disturbance began at the location.
Harley initially claimed "nothing happened" but later acknowledged that things "got out of hand" at the residence. When pressed for details, she expressed reluctance to discuss the events fully, stating she didn't "feel comfortable talking about it." Police informed her that neighbors had reported hearing yelling and an argument from the property, which contradicted her initial denial of any confrontation.
Key points from her statement:
She claimed she was invited to the home
She went specifically to collect clothing items
Both victims were in the bedroom when she arrived
She acknowledged being present during an escalation
Argument Escalation
The investigators repeatedly questioned Harley about what triggered the argument, but she maintained she couldn't recall or didn't know why tensions escalated. She stated, "It just happened so quickly." When asked directly about who initiated the confrontation, Harley was unable or unwilling to identify whether it was her grandmother or Sammy who started the dispute.
During questioning, Harley admitted to having a knife with her—describing it as a black knife from the house. When pressed about what she did with the weapon, she initially responded "nothing." The investigation revealed that both victims died from multiple stab wounds, though Harley did not directly confess to using the knife against them.
Prior to this incident, Harley had reportedly become violent when her grandmother informed her she could no longer stay at the residence, even making threats against her grandmother's life. This history of conflict provides important context for understanding the tensions that existed before the fatal encounter.
Investigation
This section explores key aspects of the case involving a 22-year-old woman's arrest following the discovery of two stabbing victims in August 2021.
Presence at the Crime Scene
The suspect admitted during interrogation that she had visited her grandmother's residence after work, stating she went there to collect clothing. According to her statement, she took an Uber to the location at 17th Avenue after finishing her shift at Staples. The suspect's presence at the crime scene was confirmed through both her own statements and witness accounts. Police records indicate a protective order had previously been issued against the suspect following earlier conflicts. This order was implemented after her grandmother had informed her she could no longer stay at the residence.
During questioning, the suspect exhibited noticeable twitching that appeared forced, which detectives addressed directly. When asked about what happened at the house, she initially claimed "things got out of hand" but was reluctant to provide specific details about any altercation.
Witness Accounts and Neighborhood Evidence
Multiple neighbors reported hearing a disturbance at the residence, providing investigators with third-party verification of a confrontation. These witnesses described hearing yelling and sounds of an argument serious enough to prompt someone to contact law enforcement. This evidence contradicted the suspect's initial claims that no argument had occurred.
When confronted with this information, the suspect acknowledged that yelling had taken place but claimed not to remember or understand why the situation escalated. She was unable or unwilling to identify who initiated the confrontation.
The suspect later admitted to having a black knife at the scene, though she initially denied doing anything with it. This weapon appears significant to the investigation, as both victims suffered multiple stab wounds. When officers failed to find the knife on her person, she suggested it might still be inside the house.
Protective Orders and Legal Restrictions
Prior Residential Exclusion Order
In the period before the tragic incident, legal restrictions were already in place concerning residence arrangements. Court documents show that Mary Rose had previously established formal boundaries that explicitly prohibited her granddaughter from residing at her property. This protective measure was implemented following concerning behavioral patterns and incidents that had established a troubling precedent. The legal documentation clearly specified the terms of exclusion and was officially recorded within the judicial system.
Response to Housing Limitation Notice
When informed about the permanent housing exclusion, the response was notably severe. According to witness statements, the notification about being unable to remain at the residence triggered an immediate hostile reaction. This included verbal aggression and explicit threatening statements directed toward Mary Rose. These threats specifically referenced potential physical harm, demonstrating a concerning escalation from previous conflicts. Neighbors reported hearing raised voices during this confrontation, which ultimately led to authorities being contacted.
Critical Events
Clothing Retrieval Incident
Harley arrived at her grandmother's home after work to collect clothes. Despite a previous protective order against her, she entered the residence where her grandmother Mary Rose and her grandmother's boyfriend Sammy were present. According to her statements, they had invited her to pick up some clothes that were in the bedroom. Both Mary Rose and Sammy accompanied her to the bedroom where she intended to retrieve items from the closet.
Within minutes of Harley's arrival, the situation deteriorated. Neighbors reported hearing yelling and arguments, which became loud enough to prompt someone to call the police. When questioned about the cause of the argument, Harley claimed she couldn't remember what triggered the escalation or why her grandmother might have become upset with her.
Police Response and Suspect's Positioning
When police officers arrived at the scene, they found Harley in the kitchen of the residence. When asked about the whereabouts of her grandmother and Sammy, she stated she didn't know or couldn't remember where they were at that time.
During initial interactions with police, Harley mentioned having a knife with her. She described it as a black knife that belonged to the house, which she had picked up while there. When officers couldn't locate the weapon on her person, she suggested it must still be inside the residence. Notably, both victims were later found with multiple stab wounds, which appeared to be the cause of death for both Mary Rose and Sammy.
Throughout the police interrogation, Harley displayed unusual physical behavior, including what officers described as forced-looking twitching movements. When questioned about these movements, she provided no clear explanation.
Evidence of Premeditation
Prior Conflict and Restraining Order
A protective order had been previously issued against 22-year-old Harley Swols before the tragic incident occurred. This legal intervention became necessary after her grandmother informed Harley she could no longer reside at the residence. When confronted with eviction, Harley's behavior escalated to violence and included explicit threats against her grandmother's life. The protective order represents a critical piece of evidence that demonstrates a history of conflict between the suspect and one of the victims.
Weapon Evidence and Suspect's Statements
During questioning, Harley initially denied carrying a knife but later contradicted herself by acknowledging possession of a black knife. When asked directly about the weapon, she stated, "It was at mine" and confirmed she had "picked it up." Despite having the knife in her possession, Harley repeatedly claimed she "didn't do anything with it" when pressed by investigators. The inconsistency in her statements about the knife is notable, particularly as both victims suffered multiple stab wounds.
The knife, described as black, was not found on Harley's person when she was taken into custody. When officers mentioned this discrepancy, she suggested it "must be in the house," potentially placing the murder weapon at the crime scene. This admission connects the suspect to a potential murder weapon that matches the victims' injuries.
