ME Releases Cause of Death for Slain Arlington Grandmother

Police continue search for woman's attacker

An 83-year-old Arlington woman found dead after a carjacking was shot and sustained blunt force trauma, the Tarrant County Medical Examiner's Office said Thursday.

The medical examiner lists Leona Faye Swafford's cause of death as a "gunshot wound and blunt force trauma of the head with asphyxia."

Swafford, 83, was found dead outside another home a couple of hours after she was carjacked in her driveway Tuesday morning. Her vehicle was found in an apartment complex parking lot about an hour later.

Police are still searching for the killer, whom they believe is still in the Arlington area.

On Thursday, police continued to send patrols into neighborhoods asking people if they remember or have seen anything.

Arlington police said Wednesday that investigators are still trying to determine a motive and if it was a random crime or something else. Police said they are withholding some information that only the killer would know in hopes of it leading to an arrest.

Arlington police describe the attacker as a black man in his late 20s to late 30s with a muscular build, standing 5 feet 11 inches to 6 feet tall with short hair that is possibly a half-inch afro. He has little to no facial hair and was last seen wearing a light-colored shirt and blue jeans.

Authorities are urging the public to look for someone who not only fits the description but exhibits abnormal behavior, such as acting nervous, unexpectedly leaving town, not showing up for work or showing great interest in news coverage of the case.

Arlington police have released a composite sketch of the attacker based on witness statements.

Anyone with information on the attacker or his location to please call 911. Anyone with information on Swafford's abduction is asked to call 817-575-8529.

Oak Farms Dairy is offering a $10,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest and grand jury indictment.

Police say they plan to pursue capital murder charges when they make an arrest.

NBC 5's Mola Lenghi contributed to this report, which also contains information from previous stories on the case.

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