Autopsy finds Perryville girl was strangled

An autopsy conducted Sunday revealed that an 8-year-old Perryville girl, Kendra Swan, died from strangulation Saturday.

Police investigations also revealed that Kendra was sexually assaulted. Later Saturday morning, Kendra's father, Jamie Swan, 26, was found dead of self-inflicted injuries in a shed along County Road 359.

A news release from the Perryville Police Department said family members at the residence recalled Jamie Swan taking his daughter to a bedroom at 1 a.m. and then leaving the residence. He did not return.

"We are continuing to investigate the crime against Kendra Swan," said police chief Keith Tarrillion in the statement. "We are piecing together all the evidence to figure out what led up to the unfortunate and senseless death of Kendra. We have several key pieces of evidence that will be sent off to the crime lab for analysis."

On Saturday, police and emergency medical personnel responded to a call at 811 Lucy St. The call was in reference to a girl not breathing. Kendra was dead when police arrived.