A Quiet Southern Town Shaken by a Brutal Murder
If you live in Dalton, Georgia — a place better known as the Carpet Capital of the World — the name Tara Swilley may still bring a chill.
On a summer night in 2004, the peaceful life of a prominent local family was shattered when 26-year-old Tara, a mother and beloved daughter, was shot to death while sleeping next to her husband and 7-month-old baby. Now, new details and old grudges are resurfacing, stirring emotions and raising questions two decades later.
What We Know So Far
- On August 2, 2004, Tara Swilley was staying at her parents’ home in Dalton, Georgia.
- Tara was fatally shot in the head while asleep beside her husband, Scott Swilley, and their baby daughter.
- Her family members were home at the time and sheltered in another room as gunshots rang out.
- Police found 11 rifle shell casings in the front yard — over 100 yards from the bedroom.
- The weapon used was a high-powered SKS rifle, and the shots came from outside the home.
- Investigators initially questioned whether Tara was the intended target — or caught in the crossfire of something bigger.
What It Means for Dalton and the Community
This wasn’t just any family. Tara was the daughter of Buddy Parker, a wealthy and influential Atlanta-area carpet magnate and real estate investor, whose business dealings spanned decades. In a town built on carpet mills and small-town relationships, the murder cut deeper than most.
Local officials began to probe Parker’s connections — and unearthed a bitter feud with another business family, the Bearden family, stemming from a nasty divorce between their children.
The fallout included:
- Alleged threats
- Gun intimidation
- Phone line tampering
- Accusations of character assassination
Dalton residents, already familiar with the Parker name, were stunned that such personal vendettas may have played a role in such a calculated and devastating act.
What You Should Watch For
Though the original investigation yielded no arrests, and alibis appeared to check out, the case remains open in public memory and in media.
- Authorities and true crime shows are still exploring who really pulled the trigger — and why.
- The Parker and Bearden families remain entangled in rumor and suspicion.
- The Real Murders of Atlanta recently revisited the case, reigniting community interest and potential leads.
If you or someone you know remembers anything unusual from that time — especially in the Dalton or North Georgia region — authorities still welcome new information.
Stay alert, stay safe — and explore more on Georgia’s most mysterious unsolved crimes.