Media Release: Contacts: March 10, 2020 Michael Leffler (317) 327-5516, [email protected] Destiny Burgos (317) 327-6181, [email protected]

DNA match leads to charges in the cold case murder of Arthur McPhaul William Swain identified as suspect nearly 20 years after murder

Indianapolis, Ind. — Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears announced today that William Swain has been charged for the October 2000 murder and alleged sexual assault of Arthur McPhaul. In July 2019, a DNA match identified Swain as the suspect. Swain has been charged with Murder, Felony Murder, Criminal Deviate Conduct (Class A Felony) and Criminal Confinement (Class B Felony).

On Oct. 19, 2000, McPhaul’s body was discovered in a hotel room in the 3400 block of S. Keystone Avenue. The victim had duct tape around his wrist and a telephone cord wrapped around his ankle. There was evidence of sexual assault. An autopsy examination determined the cause of death to be strangulation. Investigators were unable to identify a suspect in the immediate investigation. Eventually, leads were exhausted and it became a cold case.

The DNA profile from nail scrapings found on the victim’s neck, was submitted into a DNA database to be maintained on file for future searches and comparisons.

In July 2019, IMPD’s Cold Case Homicide Unit investigators were notified of a match in the DNA database identifying Swain as the suspect. A latent print recovered from the telephone at original crime scene was tested and confirmed to belong to Swain.

Investigators interviewed Swain in September 2019. According to the probable cause affidavit, he denied any knowledge of the victim or the murder. At that time, Swain’s DNA was taken for comparison purposes. Forensic testing resulted in a positive match of Swain’s DNA profile.

The case has been assigned to Criminal Court 6. An Initial Hearing has been set for today at 10 a.m.

A charge of a crime is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

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