The Labette County Attorney’s Office dismissed a rape and domestic violence case this week because the defendant died.
Parsons police labeled the crime “horrific” after it was reported in 2024.
Justin W. Schwark, 36, formerly of 2919 Clark, was to be tried this month in Labette County District Court on nine counts: Two counts of rape, one count of aggravated kidnapping, three counts of aggravated domestic battery, criminal threat, all felonies, and two counts of domestic battery, both misdemeanors.
The trial and pretrial hearings were canceled on Wednesday because of Schwark’s death in Webb City, Missouri. His attorney, Robert Myers, had also filed a request to be removed from the case because Schwark didn’t meet “contractual obligations.”
The case against Schwark in Labette County related to incidents on July 13, 15 and 19 in 2024, and the investigation started with the report of a domestic assault on July 19, 2024.
Officers contacted the woman, who shared a horrific description of her assaults that transpired over a period of days.
The alleged victim reported being repeatedly punched and strangled to the point of choking at Schwark’s hands. The assailant reportedly told the victim that he was going “to slaughter the family.” At the time of the assaults, no one else was home.
There was physical evidence of ongoing violent conduct inside the residence with damaged walls and doors, according to a release from Parsons police. The interview of the victim identified ongoing threats and kidnapping (he allegedly held the victim against her will). There were several instances of reported sexual assault.
