Texas authorities confirm that Jim Sweeten committed suicide
WESLACO, Texas – A former Oklahoma man who was a suspect in the 25-year disappearance of a Grove woman took his own life, Texas authorities confirmed Thursday.
James Lee Sweeten, 79, died Wednesday of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, Delaware County Cold Case Detective Mark Wall said. He was considered by Delaware County authorities as a “person of interest” in the disappearance and presumed death of his first wife, Peggy A. Sweeten.
No remains or evidence found in the search for barrels
Peggy A. Sweeten, was last seen on January 13, 1998. The 52-year-old former special education teacher and grandmother disappeared from her Grand Lake residence without a trace, leaving behind her car, clothes, photos and personal memories.
Jim, a former superintendent in Kansas, was having an affair with Debra Hammond, a teacher in another district, according to a 2011 search warrant.
He told authorities he returned from a conference and found a note that said Peggy left saying she had left him.
Investigators said there has been no fingerprint of Peggy Sweeten since January 1998.
This search warrant notes that Jim refused to submit to a polygraph test and a non-invasive property search. Officials said Jim told them he thought he “should see a lawyer” when questioned in 2011.
“James appeared to be deceptive and evasive” and “seemed to be trying to find out how far the investigation had progressed and what [the investigator] knows and what direction the investigation was going,” the search warrant said.
A few weeks after Peggy Sweeten’s disappearance, Jim filed for divorce. Debra Hammond also filed for divorce and moved into Sweeten’s residence. The couple married in Las Vegas 11 months after Peggy Sweeten’s disappearance.
Weslaco, Texas is five miles from the Mexican border.
This is a developing story, and we will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.
