WAVERLY, Ga. – Nearly four decades after a horrific double murder at a Camden County church, authorities have arrested a 61-year-old man in connection with the case, bringing renewed hope for justice in a case that has gripped the community for years.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) announced on December 10, 2024, the arrest of Erik Kristensen Sparre of Waynesville, Georgia. Sparre faces two counts of murder and two counts of aggravated assault for the deaths of Harold Swain, 66, and his wife, Thelma Swain, 62. The couple was fatally shot during a Bible study at Rising Daughter Baptist Church in Waverly, Georgia, on March 11, 1985.
A Murder That Shook the Community
On the evening of March 11, 1985, Harold Swain was approached in the church’s vestibule by a man described as a white male with glasses. Witnesses recalled hearing an argument before gunshots erupted. Harold Swain was fatally shot, followed by his wife, Thelma, when she rushed to help him. The assailant fled, leaving behind a shaken congregation and a devastated community.
The case quickly became a focal point for law enforcement, but leads were scarce. Despite extensive investigations, the case went cold for years, leaving the victims’ families and the community without answers. In 2020, the GBI even exhumed Harold Swain’s body as part of a renewed effort to gather evidence, underscoring the determination to solve the case.
The Controversial Conviction of Dennis Perry
In 2003, Dennis Perry, a Camden County resident, was arrested and convicted for the murders of Harold and Thelma Swain. Prosecutors, led by District Attorney John Johnson, built a case largely on circumstantial evidence. Witnesses claimed that Perry had expressed hostility toward the Swains and that he resembled the description of the suspect provided by witnesses.
The prosecution relied heavily on testimony from a former girlfriend of Perry’s, who alleged that Perry had confessed to the murders during their relationship. However, Perry’s defense team argued that the evidence was weak and lacked direct links to the crime scene. Despite these arguments, Perry was convicted and sentenced to life in prison.
For years, Perry maintained his innocence, and his conviction became a subject of intense scrutiny. Critics pointed to the lack of physical evidence and inconsistencies in witness statements as significant issues in the trial.
Breakthrough in 2020: DNA Evidence Clears Perry
The case took a dramatic turn in 2020 when the Georgia Innocence Project uncovered new DNA evidence. Hairs found at the crime scene were tested and did not match Perry. Instead, they pointed to Erik Sparre, a man who had long been on investigators’ radar but was never charged. Sparre’s name had appeared in initial reports, but the evidence at the time was insufficient to pursue charges against him.
The revelation of this DNA evidence led to Perry’s exoneration. After spending more than 20 years behind bars, Perry was released from prison in July 2020. The state of Georgia later awarded him $1.23 million in compensation for his wrongful conviction, but the emotional and psychological toll of his imprisonment remains immeasurable.
Renewed Focus on Erik Sparre
Following Perry’s release, the GBI renewed its investigation, focusing on Erik Sparre. Investigators discovered that Sparre had a history of violent behavior and that his alibi on the night of the murders was questionable. DNA evidence linking him to the crime scene became the cornerstone of the renewed case.
On December 10, 2024, Sparre was arrested without incident and charged with two counts of murder and two counts of aggravated assault. He is currently being held at the Camden County Jail as prosecutors prepare their case.
Community Reactions and the Pursuit of Justice
The arrest of Sparre has brought a mix of relief and renewed grief to the Swains’ family and the Rising Daughter Baptist Church community. For nearly 40 years, they have awaited answers and accountability for the brutal killings of Harold and Thelma Swain.
“After so many years, this arrest brings some sense of resolution to a case that has weighed heavily on the hearts of so many,” a representative of the GBI stated. “We hope this development brings peace to the family and community.”
Legacy of a Decades-Long Case
The Camden County church murders highlight the resilience of investigators, the power of emerging forensic technology, and the perseverance of those seeking justice. While the case is far from over, the arrest of Erik Sparre offers a glimmer of closure for a community that has endured decades of unanswered questions.
As the legal process unfolds, the Swains’ story remains a reminder of the importance of justice, no matter how long it takes. Prosecutors, led by Camden County officials, are determined to present a comprehensive case against Sparre to ensure accountability for the decades-old tragedy.
