Heather Leigh Swiklinski, a 22-year-old woman from Vandergrift, Pennsylvania, tragically lost her life on November 13, 2017. She was found shot to death in her home in Parks Township, along with her boyfriend, Dawayne Klingensmith, who was 29 years old. The couple's 17-month-old baby was discovered alive in his crib, having been left unharmed during the incident.
The investigation into Heather's death revealed that the shooting was likely drug-related.
Pennsylvania State Police and local authorities worked diligently to piece together the crime scene and gather evidence. Two years after the murders, Kevin Lamont Ware, a 26-year-old man from the Washington, D.C. area, was arrested and charged with two counts of criminal homicide, burglary, robbery, criminal trespass, reckless endangerment, and firearms crimes. Ware was believed to be living in the Pittsburgh area at the time of the murders and was later extradited to Pennsylvania to face the charges.
In addition to Ware's arrest, another man, George Peace, was charged with evidence tampering in connection with the case. Peace was accused of getting rid of the gun believed to have been used in the killings. The investigation continued to unfold as authorities worked to build a strong case against Ware and determine if any additional suspects were involved.
The tragic loss of Heather Swiklinski and Dawayne Klingensmith left their family, friends, and community in shock. Heather was remembered as an amazing mother, daughter, and friend whose smile and laughter would always be remembered. Her family and neighbors were deeply affected by the senseless violence that took her life and the life of her boyfriend.
The case remains a poignant reminder of the devastating impact of drug-related violence and the importance of community and law enforcement efforts to bring justice to victims and their families.
