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Gabrielle Swainson's Father Doesn't Think Missing Cheerleader Daughter Is Alive

Missing Cheerleader's Father Fears She's Dead
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The father of a 15-year-old South Carolina cheerleader missing since August doubts that she's still alive.

Gabrielle Swainson's father, Alvin Thompson, spoke to reporters after the suspect in his daughter's kidnapping was convicted on weapons charges on Tuesday, according to WLTX.

"I don't think she's alive," Thompson said. "There's been too much time."

Only one person can explain the disappearance, Thompson said, and that's Freddie Grant, a man with previous convictions for intent to distribute cocaine, aggravated assault and kidnapping.

Grant, accused of taking the teen from her Columbia home on Aug. 18, was convicted of illegally possessing ammunition. His criminal record prohibits him from owning ammo.

His daughter Dominique Grant, 27, testified that she'd brought .38 caliber bullets and shotgun shells to the house, but said she didn't leave them where police discovered them.

At his sentencing in April, Grant could get life in prison, the Columbia State reported.

Grant is also suspected in the disappearance of Adrianna Laster, a 28-year-old woman that lived with him, but hasn't been seen since the fall of 2011.

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Before You Go

Gabrielle Swainson
Freddie Grant(01 of11)
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Ex-con Freddie Grant is facing charges in the disappearance of 15-year-old Gabrielle Swainson. (credit:Richland County Sheriff's Department )
Adrianna Laster (02 of11)
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Freddie Grant is also a person of interest in the disappearance of Adrianna Diana Laster, a 28-year-old woman who disappeared in September 2011. (credit:Elgin Police Department)
Gabrielle "Gabby" Swainson(03 of11)
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Police in Columbia, South Carolina are looking for Gabrielle "Gabby" Swainson, a 15-year-old girl who has been missing since August 18. (credit:Chandra Cleveland-Jennings )
Gabrielle "Gabby" Swainson(04 of11)
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(credit:Chandra Cleveland-Jennings )
Gabrielle "Gabby" Swainson(05 of11)
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(credit:Chandra Cleveland-Jennings )
Gabrielle "Gabby" Swainson(06 of11)
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(credit:Chandra Cleveland-Jennings )
Gabrielle "Gabby" Swainson(07 of11)
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(credit:Chandra Cleveland-Jennings )
Gabrielle "Gabby" Swainson(08 of11)
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(credit:Chandra Cleveland-Jennings )
Gabrielle "Gabby" Swainson(09 of11)
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(credit:Chandra Cleveland-Jennings )
Gabrielle "Gabby" Swainson(10 of11)
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Gabrielle Swainson is described as a black female, about 5-feet-2-inches tall with black hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a black tank top and pink and black pajama bottoms, with black and white Adidas brand sandals. Swainson has braces on her teeth but authorities are not releasing the color of the braces because they are not a typical color and would help them confirm a possible sighting. Richland County sheriff's deputies are asking anyone with information to call 803-576-3000 or Crime Stoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC. (credit:Chandra Cleveland-Jennings )
Pajamas(11 of11)
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The pajamas pictured here are similar to the ones Gabrielle Swainson was last seen wearing. (credit:Richland County Sheriff's Department)
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