Robert Joseph Swedlund, a 25-year-old male from Troutman, North Carolina, tragically lost his life on January 20, 2015. Swedlund, who was born on May 12, 1989, in Cleburne, Texas, was a beloved son, brother, and soon-to-be father. He was known for his love of soccer, disc golf, and the outdoors. Swedlund's unexpected death left his family and friends in deep mourning.
The circumstances surrounding Swedlund's death were both shocking and tragic. On the night of January 20, 2015, Swedlund was found dead outside the Troutman Animal Hospital. The investigation revealed that he had been shot by Jeffrey Allen Gillespie, a 33-year-old male from Troutman. Gillespie, who was the estranged husband of Swedlund's girlfriend, Leann Gillespie, had a history of making threats against Swedlund.
Leann Gillespie had filed a domestic violence protection order against Jeffrey Gillespie in October 2014, citing threats and harassment. Despite this, Jeffrey Gillespie continued to make threatening communications. On the night of the murder, Jeffrey Gillespie sent a text message to Leann Gillespie, informing her that he had shot her boyfriend. Swedlund's body was discovered by a newspaper delivery person in the parking lot of the animal hospital.
The investigation into Swedlund's death was swift. Surveillance footage showed Swedlund and Gillespie meeting outside the animal hospital. Law enforcement officials, including Iredell County investigators and Charlotte-Mecklenburg police, tracked Gillespie to an office building in Charlotte, where he was arrested without incident. Gillespie was charged with murder and was scheduled to appear in court on February 13, 2015.
Swedlund's death was a devastating loss for his family and the community. He was remembered as a loving father figure to his girlfriend's children and a cherished member of his family. His untimely death left a void that could never be filled.
