Woman finally listed as missing
Teista Burwell disappeared at mall in December 2007
LADSON — On the day after Christmas in 2007, Teista Swain Burwell's car was found unlocked and abandoned in the parking lot at Northwoods Mall.
She hasn't been seen since.
The Post and Courier
Tina Swain has been searching for her daughter, Teista Burwell, who has been missing since December 2007.
As vigorously as her mother tried, she couldn't get authorities to pursue the 20-year-old woman's disappearance as a missing persons case. Particularly alarming is that Burwell may have been stalked and had been involved with a man with a long criminal history.
For months the woman's mother, Tina Swain, tried in vain to get authorities from at least four state and local jurisdictions to show an interest.
Last week, someone finally did.
On Friday, the Dorchester County Sheriff's Office posted Burwell's name on a national crime computer as "missing," though her mom is wondering if it might be too late. Teista, she said, is not the sort of daughter to just pick up and silently disappear with no word. Sometimes she thinks the worst.
"I'm angry," Swain said Tuesday. "I'm angry for everyone not caring."
The case seems tailor-made for alarm. It starts with a white Oldsmobile left unattended at the mall on Dec. 26, 2007, with the driver's door cracked open. The keys were dangling in the ignition, while a cell phone lay under the car. Teista had gone to return holiday presents.
Swain knew immediately that something was wrong. But the North Charleston police officer called to the scene apparently never took a report, she said, advising her to wait a few days and see if Teista returned. North Charleston police said they have two incident reports involving Burwell, neither tied to that time and date.
To offer tips
Anyone with information on the disappearance of Teista Swain Burwell is asked to contact the Dorchester County Sheriff's Office at 832-0300 or Crimestoppers at 554-1111.
A vigil to spread awareness about the Burwell case is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. June 27 at 206 Sandra Lane in Ladson.
The Dorchester County Sheriff's Office, which has jurisdiction in the area where the family lives, didn't show much interest at the time, either. It's something the investigator now assigned to the case wants to rectify. "Prior administration, that's all I can tell you," sheriff's Lt. Tony Phinney said.
The case joins a long list of missing persons reports in Dorchester County, which has an estimated 55 open cases dating to the 1980s.
Swain said her daughter likes to read and practices martial arts. She was home-schooled and later attended Fort Dorchester High School. She was moving toward a career in law enforcement, Swain said, until a much older man came into the steak house where she worked.
Deputies would like to talk with that man, David Allen Kornahrens. As Swain tells the story, Kornahrens, now 38, told her daughter she could make a lot of money repossessing cars. But the couple's relationship soon drifted down the wrong path.
"It became more intense, then it became dangerous," Swain said. Eventually, Teista would get hit with criminal charges, including for possession of a stolen vehicle and forgery.
The Post and Courier
Teista Burwell, has been missing since December 2007
Phinney has dealt with Kornahrens before and considers him "a scary dude." He has as many as 12 aliases, Phinney said, and a criminal rap sheet at least 27 pages long, dating to 1988. His convictions include crimes such as burglary, harassment, grand larceny, bank fraud and non-custodial parental abduction. Photographs show him being able to change his appearance like a chameleon, depending on his weight gain, haircut and facial hair. A number of agencies are looking for him, including Charleston County, which has an armed robbery charge outstanding on him.
After she returned from a stay in Miami, hints that Teista was being stalked soon began appearing outside the family home. A Norah Jones CD, one of Teista's favorites, appeared. So did a sticky note that read, "I'm back."
The most frightening encounter was in a Wal-Mart store aisle when a stranger approached Teista and handed her a cell phone, telling her "David wants to talk to you."
Authorities have identified the man from a cell phone photo as Robert Edward Marcott Jr., 29, of Ladson. They consider Marcott a person of interest and want to talk with him.
Phinney said the case is filled with mistakes, but he credits Swain for being resilient. She's a former private investigator who has done some of her own Internet sleuthing, helping to determine a victim found in Louisiana was not her daughter. A "Jane Doe" skull found in Dallas will be examined for possible dental records or a DNA link.
Swain said that with her daughter finally listed as "missing," it should open a world of resources because agencies across the nation can be alerted that she's unaccounted for if anything surfaces. She also wants Kornahrens to come forward to clear things up.
"We're going to find him," she said, adding, "I want my daughter to know I'm coming."
Reach Schuyler Kropf at 937-5551 or skropf@postandcourier.com.
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Comments
Cid95 (anonymous) says...
Based on the information given here, it's depressing how inept the initial police response was.
June 17, 2009 at 2:01 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Lois_Lane (anonymous) says...
The response from law enforcement is disheartening. It's hard to believe how this kept falling on deaf ears. Just pure negligence. I pray she's found, but I don't believe it'll be a happy ending.
June 17, 2009 at 6:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lillycollette (anonymous) says...
I personally identify with what Tina Swain has been forced to endure.
I have been fighting since 2001 to bring public attention to crimes against a vulnerable person involving forgery, fraud, extortion and a myriad of other charges only to end up being ignored by the media and verbally abused and intimidated by agents of the sheriff's office.
Not one single person charged with the legal responsibility to investigate these verified / verifiable charges has honored their obligations-NOT ONE.
June 17, 2009 at 6:32 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
theronce (anonymous) says...
Sticking with the description of the scene at NW Mall, incompetence and negligence ruled the day on that date. NC retreats and defends itself with beaurocratic nonsense. DC finally acts after how long. As I've said before, the cops cannot and sometimes will not protect you; you must be prepared to protect yourself and yours. Your government, any government, does not really care; it's first responsibility is to its own survival.
June 17, 2009 at 7:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mb300sl (anonymous) says...
Great police work...about as efficient as they are at catching illegals in North Charleston.
June 17, 2009 at 7:17 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
moonpie (anonymous) says...
Theronce says it best.
I can't believe how this started and the response from N.C. What's Zumwalts take?
June 17, 2009 at 7:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MC29461 (anonymous) says...
I don't understand why the citizens of North Charleston continue to put up with Chief Zumalt's politically motivated antics while the crime rate is soaring through the roof.
That department had much high success and public support 30 years ago.
What happened?
June 17, 2009 at 8:03 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
chrismo12 (anonymous) says...
thats north charleston for ya!! i was receiving threats and you know what they said until i have proof it was coming to me they could not do anything about it and then someone tried to break in my house.NOW THERE WAS FINGERS PRINTS AND STUFF ON MY WINDOW AND YOU KNOW WHAT THEY SAID .. NOTHING WAS TAKEN SO THEY COULDN'T DO A ANYTHING ABOUT IT.. THEY DONT CARE. AND THEY CAN SPEED BY US FOR NO REASON..GOT PROOF AND WHEN THEY GET MAD AT SOMEONE THEY CAN OUT THERE NAME IN THE SYSTEM AND WHEN THEY SEE THE CAR OF THAT PERSON THEY CAN PULL THEM OVER. THESE COPS REALLY!!!! TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THERE JOB AND IT MAKES ME SICK AND THE MAYOR IS WHO AGAIN LOL!!
June 17, 2009 at 8:05 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mienliebte (anonymous) says...
It's a shame that it took media attention to get the athorities to look at this. I hope they perform more than a token effort.
June 17, 2009 at 8:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Iwonder (anonymous) says...
Glad to see one agency decided to step up to the plate
June 17, 2009 at 8:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
UrGatorbait (anonymous) says...
Wow the disappearance of a woman turns into a rant about illegals. Stay classy douche bags.
June 17, 2009 at 8:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Lovely_One (anonymous) says...
This is both sad and maddening! How can either agency even begin to justify their ineptitude in this situation. I pray for her safe return, but with the time that has lapsed and the condition that the car was found in, it is highly unlikely that she will be. Both LE agencies should be burnt for this one.
June 17, 2009 at 9:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
oldglory (anonymous) says...
I remember when this case was first reported. It aggravated me even then that it was not made a missing person case.
My question is: What gives the police department, or whoever makes the determining decision, the right to treat this case one way or another? If the victim's family, close friend, whoever is connected, says the person is 'missing' or being 'stalked' why aren't the officials required to report it as such? Put the case in the proper channels? Just how much time does it take to 'computerize' something like this? This ain't fifty years ago when big-time shoe leather was required for every tiny piece of info gathered.
Just another indication of job performance today (not singling out the police department necessarily) as most don't really 'care' about how well they perform their little area in the big picture. Happens in all fields today. Very sad.
June 17, 2009 at 9:31 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
chrismo12 (anonymous) says...
but hey if it was one of there own they would be on it in a heart beat!!! agree
June 17, 2009 at 9:33 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
abitskeptical (anonymous) says...
It would have required more involved leg work than they(LE) were willing to do.
And, there always is a risk in a case like this that the end result would not have made them into "heroes".
And, this person wasn't anyone important to them.
Although the NC & DC LE responses on this is beyond outrageous, I have seen a similar response in a stalking case in Charleston County.
But, doesn't everyone feel all warm & fuzzy & safe enough knowing that the poker players & pot smokers are being handled?
June 17, 2009 at 10:02 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
chrismo12 (anonymous) says...
or not wearing a helmet all of sudden !!!! they really need to get the stuff straight
June 17, 2009 at 10:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MC29461 (anonymous) says...
It looks like they got his middle name wrong too, it is Alan not Allen.
See the "Who got busted or Sued" website :
http://www3.charlestoncounty.org:82/c...
June 17, 2009 at 10:21 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
maeko (anonymous) says...
it is truely a travesty that missing adults are among the most difficult emergencies to get police to take seriously. not just in this case, but all over the country. we try so hard to find a child that is missing within minutes, but if you or i were to walk out the door to go to work and never return, no one would look for you but your loved ones. no matter how unusual or fishy the circumstances, the search is almost always put on the back burner by the police. it will be up to your family and their resources to look. many, many people just walk out the door and seemly vanish into thin air every year and no one ever hears about it. it's actually very frightening.
June 17, 2009 at 10:21 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
WhereisTeista (anonymous) says...
I cannot begin to explain how frustrating this whole situation has been, not only because Teista is my best friend, but also because I am a private investigator. There are so many twists & turns, as well as evidence that pointed in the direction of an abduction that were not even written about in this article. I hope that all of the circumstances come to light soon, as we our pending vigil approaches. I could not have saved the best friend, that had protected me from so many things, but the community can now choose to protect their children, daughters, and best friends from this monster. I am hoping with the tip lines open today that the public will have the courage to come forward with both of these men's whereabouts.
Also, as faulty as the authorities were, I have to save that Lieutenant Phinney at the DC PD has really stepped up to the plate and has been nothing short of an angel since he was made aware of our situation. As much as my faith in the system has wavered, there are still some out there that care about the community and do take their jobs seriously. Thank you Tony Phinney. And thank you for all of the support we have recieved from the community.
WWW.MYSPACE.COM/WHEREISTEISTA
June 17, 2009 at 11:11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SCHoser (anonymous) says...
Wow-best of luck! It's amazing to see how so many things came together to botch this from the beginning. I am all for LE, but they screwed the pooch on this one!
Posted by UrGatorbait on June 17, 2009 at 8:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow the disappearance of a woman turns into a rant about illegals. Stay classy douche bags.
Yep, way to stay classy!
June 17, 2009 at 12:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Two_Sheds (anonymous) says...
I will be attending the vigil. Years ago, my sister used to date him, and he was emotionally & physically abusive to her. Finally, she got away from him, but he stalked her for years. I've got some stories about David K. that would raise the hair on your head. This is one scary individual. My dad predicted back in the 80s that he would grow up to be a full-fledged psychopath, and it looks like he has.
June 17, 2009 at 12:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lillycollette (anonymous) says...
I am not surprised to see David A. Kornerahrens had a case before Chas. Co. fam. court:
CHARLESTON COUNTY
DOMESTIC RELATIONS
CIVIL ACTION DOCKET AS OF 06/17/2009
PLAINTIFF(S): DSS-STATE
-VS-
DEFENDANT(S): KORNAHRENS, DAVID A
CASE ID: 1999-DR-10-005221
FILING: 12/16/1999
ACTION: PATERNITY AND SUPPORT (DSS)
[...]
001 PL DSS-STATE
002 DF KORNAHRENS, DAVID A
003 PL SNIDER, NICOLE A
------------------------------------------
FEB 22 2000
AFFIDAVIT OF SERVICE
FEB 10 2000 AS TO RE: KORNAHRENS, DAVID A.
CASE CLOSED
DEC 21 1999
ADMIN PROCESS ORDER OF DEFAULT (FPSA)
DEC 21 1999 AS TO RE: KORNAHRENS, DAVID A.
SEE ADMIN ORDER/SUPPORT RE: SNIDER, NICOLE A.
DEC 21 1999 AS TO RE: KORNAHRENS, DAVID A.
JDGMT IN THE AMOUNT OF 0.01
DEC 21 1999 AS TO RE: KORNAHRENS, DAVID A.
MAGERA, JOHN M.
DEC 16 1999
AFFIDAVIT OF THE MOTHER
DEC 16 1999
AFFIDAVIT OF DEFAULT
DEC 16 1999
CHILD SUPPORT WORKSHEET
DEC 16 1999
CERTIFICATE OF MAILING
DEC 16 1999
NOTICE OF CONT OF NEGOTIATION CONF
DEC 16 1999
GENETIC TEST RESULTS
DEC 16 1999
AGREEMENT TO SUBMIT TO GENETIC TESTS
DEC 16 1999
AFFIDAVIT OF SERVICE
DEC 16 1999
NOT OF FIN RESPONS & PAT/DETERM
June 17, 2009 at 1:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
chrismo12 (anonymous) says...
if thats his last name i know a girl with that last name and she is crazy tooo!!!!
June 17, 2009 at 1:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Two_Sheds (anonymous) says...
Do any of y'all remember his uncle Fred Kornahrens who escaped from the back of a police cruiser in West Ashley years ago? He was missing for like 2 weeks, then they finally found him hiding underneath some lady's overturned boat in her back yard! I think he was finally executed for murder once they got him back into custody, but I can't remember. Anyone remember this? It was in the late 80s, if I recall...
June 17, 2009 at 2:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SCHoser (anonymous) says...
He killed his ex, her boyfriends 10 year old son and her father-real wacko pos. They finally juiced him late 90's I think. He shot her once then stabbed her and the others with a frikin bayonet! jeez.
June 17, 2009 at 2:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Two_Sheds (anonymous) says...
Well...I guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree! And if it does, they hunt it down and kill it, LOL!
June 17, 2009 at 2:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yeahright (anonymous) says...
Fred murdered his ex-wife, her father, and her 10 year old son. I don't know if David is related, but he's been a menace to society for well over a decade. Dude's CRAZY. This isn't the first female he's stalked/harrassed/kidnapped.
June 17, 2009 at 2:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
coolfreaknbeans (anonymous) says...
I remember that Two_Sheds ! I also think I knew Nicole Snider.
June 17, 2009 at 2:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MMitchum (anonymous) says...
Sad...I am a Mother...I would be furious!!!
In Augusta, Ga. last Weekend a 30/31 year old Jessica Murphy became missing. Ga. jumped on this and in the computers it went, when they expected she was in danger due to her Mother said so because she was going thru a divorce. Before she had moved out from her ex-husband to be... the neighbors never expected a thing, were surprised and didn't even know she was missing until the TV, Beautiful girl.
She and her estranged husband were found in Alabama yesterday. She was in the trunk dead and they expected she had been dead way before he killed himself at the reststop. Shame on NChas & DorcCty for not caring. Looks like you need to vote in someone who cares about the people. It was the day after Christmas...they didn't feel like doing the paperwork or what?
June 17, 2009 at 2:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mommy0607 (anonymous) says...
my heart goes out to teista's family....i went to school with her and we were very good friends...i ran into in her in 2007 and we talked like we were together all the time...Teista is a sweet and loving person and all around fun to be with ...She's the life of the party and will have u laughing uncontrollably....Teista i hope you are okay and come home healthy and well
June 17, 2009 at 3:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Two_Sheds (anonymous) says...
Yeah, it got to the point where David was so universally hated that he couldn't even go onto James Island without getting his a** kicked! He and his pal (at the time) Vince were at the gas station at the corner of Folly and Ft. Johnson one time, and David went into the store while Vince sat in the car.
On the way out of the store, David was jumped by one of his "fans," and Vince took off in the car! David was getting the crap beat out of him, yelling "Vince, man, don't leave me!!!" Funny as hell!
Another time, at a party on Folly Beach, he started slapping around his girlfriend. Some guys were like, "Dude, you don't need to be doing that!" and David took out a cannister of mace and sprayed it towards the guy. Fortunately, the guy saw it coming and held up a leather jacket to block the spray.
Let me tell you...when that cannister ran out, and that jacket was lowered, David got beat up so badly that he ended up in the hospital. Many people from James Island can verify this story! :-)
June 17, 2009 at 10:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tinaswain (anonymous) says...
HI Everyone!
I am Teistas mom, Tina. First let me say Thank you for every person who has commented on here. Some of your comments have led to great leads. Thank you!!! Please know that each and everyone is invited to the vigil. I hope to see many there. Teista would (will) be thrilled to know that there are so many people that care about her story and the many others that 'just disappear'. We hope to make those aware of the others out there who still need the help to find their missing loved one. Many people just dont know which way to turn.....I am so thankful right now to those that have finally listened and has helped Jade (Teistas Bestfriend) and myself to finally work to bring Teista home.
Although it took 18 months to get someone to listen it is still not over!!! We still have to find out what happened?
Lt. Tony Phinney has become my favorite person. Not only is he following the leads, investigating hard, and talking to the media...but he personally has dealt with David. So he knows him....and that makes me feel good to know that I am not the only one that understands how this man thinks.
So please....Give this man a hand, he is working hard to find Teista, and honestly I am so glad to have him here now. Please keep in touch with the case, yell and scream that the media keeps up with the investigation. The more we yell, the quicker things can change! Not just for Teista, but for all the missing adults that also deserve to be found and brought home to family and friends. Because at the end of the day....they are waiting also for their families to come for them too.
Peace and much love to each and everyone of you!
Tina Swain ( Teistas MOM)
June 17, 2009 at 11:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
babeegurl (anonymous) says...
God bless you Ma'am! I can't even imagine what it feels like to be going through something like this. I hope you get the outcome you deserve. I can't believe the police were so careless (then again I can). I wish someone would come in and investigate how crooked these a@#holes are and clean up the police department! Stay strong and know you have the community behind you!
June 18, 2009 at 8:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lillycollette (anonymous) says...
My heart goes out to you Tina. I personally know how it feels to have your dilemma ignored by the authorities and the media.
I also know how horrible it is to suffer acts of aggression from the very LEO who is assigned to your case.
My best wishes to you.
June 18, 2009 at 9:23 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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