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Confessed Killer Israel Keyes Dead, According to DOCKeyes admitted murdering at least 8 peopleRelated Content
To view a portion of the joint press conference regarding Keyes' death, click the thumbnail to the left. UPDATED 4:55 p.m. ANCHORAGE - Investigators with the FBI, Anchorage Police Department, and U.S. Attorney’s office say Israel Keyes is a self-confessed serial killer who admitted killing at least 8 people. His crimes span a more than 10-year period. That announcement came at press conference at the US Attorney’s office Sunday afternoon after the 34-year-old Keyes apparently committed suicide Sunday morning at the Anchorage Correctional Complex. Keyes was being held there after being charged with “kidnapping resulting in death” of 18-year-old Samantha Koenig, and until today everyone involved in the case had been tight-lipped on the details of Koenig’s death and the possibility Keyes was involved in other crimes. During Sunday’s press conference Anchorage Police Chief Mark Mew said Keyes, who did not know Koenig, confessed to kidnapping the teen from her job at Common Grounds Espresso stand at gunpoint on the night of February 1, 2012. Police said Keyes then admitted he took her to a truck she shared with her boyfriend to get her ATM card, and killed her that night. Mew said Keyes then used a chainsaw to cut a hole in the ice at Matanuska Lake and disposed of Koenig’s body. Mew said Keyes then left the state, where he began using the ATM card. It was through those transactions Anchorage Police and the FBI were able to track his movements and identify the vehicle he was driving, but they admitted they didn’t know the suspect’s name until his arrest. Keyes was eventually pulled over in Lufkin, Texas on March 13. Police said Koenig’s ATM card and pieces of her cell phone were found in the vehicle. Investigators didn’t say when they were able to get the confession of Koenig’s murder, but on March 30 teams were searching Keyes’ Turnagain home. They were seen taking away a shed. Investigators wouldn’t say what, if any, evidence was found inside. Anchorage Police said the confession also led them to Koenig’s body. It was pulled from the Matanuska Lake in early April. Out of respect for the Koenig family, who just received the news of Keyes’ suicide Sunday morning, Mew would not say how Koenig died or if she was sexually assaulted. Mary Rook, the FBI special agent in charge of the Anchorage office, said investigators believe Koenig is Keyes’ only victim here in Alaska, but Keyes also confessed to the June 2011 murders of Lorraine and William Currier in Vermont. Keyes told them he killed the couple and disposed of their bodies in an abandoned house, which has since been torn down. The bodies of the Curriers have never been recovered. In addition to the deaths of Koenig and the Curriers, during dozens of hours of interviews Keyes also told investigators he was responsible for four murders in Washington State and one murder in New York. Investigators said he did not provide them with any names of his victims. The FBI is working with law enforcement agencies around the country to try and identify them. Authorities wouldn’t speculate on motive for the murders, just that Keyes told them it wasn’t financial. Investigators also wouldn’t say how Keyes said he killed any of his victims, but did say they range broadly in age, and were all strangers to him. They also said he showed no remorse for any of his crimes during interviews. In addition to the 8 murders Keyes confessed to, he also told investigators he was responsible for at least two bank robberies, one in New York and one in Texas. The FBI is also looking at other murders, and missing persons cases around the country to see if Keyes may be involved in them. They said Keyes traveled throughout the Lower 48 extensively and would often fly to one location, rent a car, and drive hundreds of miles. U.S. Attorneys prosecuting the case believe because of the suicide there may never be an answer to just how many victims or how many other crimes Keyes committed. Keyes’ suicide is now under investigation by Alaska State Troopers and the Department of Corrections. For full coverage of Israel Keyes and the Samantha Koenig case, click here. |
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James said on Sunday, Dec 2 at 1:46 PM
Good, save the taxpayers money. Would of probably ended up like the Casey Anthony case. Where all evidence points towards her and they still let her go.
108119566Scott. said on Sunday, Dec 2 at 1:48 PM
Man, you just scooped all of the other tv news and ADN / Ak Dispatch newspaper websites. Congratulations.
108119646Don said on Sunday, Dec 2 at 1:54 PM
I hope it was slow.
108120116Anonymous said on Sunday, Dec 2 at 1:59 PM
Yup, slow and extremely painful. That's what I'd vote for.
108120346alaskahobbit said on Sunday, Dec 2 at 2:03 PM
If he was killed by a fellow inmate we should let him free for good behavior.
108120496Mike J said on Sunday, Dec 2 at 2:04 PM
Thinking from the movie, when Scrooge died, the town joined into song with 'Thank you very much, that most wonderful thing that anyone has ever done for me'. Israel knew he was screwed, so gave everyone an early Christmas present.
108120516Donna said on Sunday, Dec 2 at 2:14 PM
Serves him right for what he did! He knew his days were numbered!!
108121046Ak girl said on Sunday, Dec 2 at 2:16 PM
AMEN! He is facing his ultimate judge! May Samantha's family find peace knowing he is no longer breathing
108121056scott hagy said on Sunday, Dec 2 at 2:17 PM
I just wish i could of been the one to put him down .Yes just like a dog .I bet the coward did it to him self .
108121105Bonny S said on Sunday, Dec 2 at 2:17 PM
Hmmm, imagine that!
108121141Marilee said on Sunday, Dec 2 at 2:24 PM
Unfortunately he was being investigated in Vermont and who knows what other states. Let's pray those victims' families find answers.
108121435Travis said on Sunday, Dec 2 at 2:34 PM
It doesn't provider closure, He stands 'accused' not guilty. Its sad that he died before his trial. I hope my sister is giving him hell right now
108122281Sarah said on Sunday, Dec 2 at 2:34 PM
To all the people who are glad he is dead I would like to point out that he was somebody's son. Yes, he was a monster who got what was he deserved but we do have to remember that someone out there is actually sad he's dead.
108122326Teresa said on Sunday, Dec 2 at 2:40 PM
He now stands before the real Judge, he was atheists according to his profile....GOD will judge him and all he has done will be held accountable for in God's eyes....Hell will be his eternal home...To Mr. Koeing I'm sorry you did not see him face the courts here, I pray you find Peace in your heart, but rest assured he will pay for all he has done in this life
108122591Believer said on Sunday, Dec 2 at 2:45 PM
God knows...we all will die. Mercy. Comfort for those left behind
108122876Robert said on Sunday, Dec 2 at 2:51 PM
There is no god therefore he will rot in the ground like everyone else that dies in this life. Good thing us as tax payers won't be fit with the bill of housing this POS for 30 to 40 years.
108123295Toni said on Sunday, Dec 2 at 3:13 PM
Can we please have some sense in the media and NOT hound the family and friends of his victim(s) for a statement. He's dead, we don't need more hurt from them because of this creep. No doubt he was a coward and killed himself. Let him now be forgotten while the memory of Sam lives forever!
108124912Beverly said on Sunday, Dec 2 at 3:16 PM
I hope he is tortured and put thru the same hell he put Samantha Koenig thru. I don't care he did'nt get a trial - how the hell do you think they found Her Body - From Him. I pray the Koenig Family finds peace and is comforted by this. My Heart and Prayers to the Koenig Family.
108125035David said on Sunday, Dec 2 at 3:21 PM
May God richly bless the Koenig family, giving them, especially her father comfort and rest.
108125276RB said on Sunday, Dec 2 at 3:26 PM
Maybe he hung himself in his cell with bedsheets? That's funny that they give prisoners sheets; to make it convenient to do themselves in?
108125651*Sheila* said on Sunday, Dec 2 at 3:42 PM
Just think of all the tax dollars we'd save if all the murderers and rapists killed themselves.
108126496Anonymous said on Sunday, Dec 2 at 3:49 PM
burn in hell...animal
108127626Brian said on Sunday, Dec 2 at 3:52 PM
Goodbye, blight on humanity. And you know, I really don't care how upset anyone is over this POS's death. The world is a better place without having to share air with that guy.
108127755Woot said on Sunday, Dec 2 at 3:59 PM
Let's hope some of the other unsolved cases will lead to him. Rot in hell you slime pit
108128086Jerome said on Sunday, Dec 2 at 4:01 PM
He was charged with Federal crimes. Why was he not locked up in a Federal Jail?
108128136Jerome said on Sunday, Dec 2 at 4:06 PM
@Ravin33: Pray tell your sources? I mean if your going to soil the victims reputation you should at least back up those statements with a source that is fact checkable.
108128406Mark o said on Sunday, Dec 2 at 4:16 PM
Very good day for society, no more taxes for that scum. Thought for the family of that young girl, hope you the best
108128755Boss684 said on Sunday, Dec 2 at 4:21 PM
He can't hear yall dumb asses!
108129025Anonymous said on Sunday, Dec 2 at 5:02 PM
funny how some to shed light on other activities end up dead...hang em high right? cutting costs here?
108131426BigBob said on Sunday, Dec 2 at 6:03 PM
Serial Killer, gets busted in Texas for Alaska Murder. Where is ANN RULE when I need her, aftter all I have followed this case since day 1
108135786teaballs said on Sunday, Dec 2 at 6:37 PM
Good I think we should kill all the people in jail and all the old people on government health care. it's time to live only if you have the means
108137756uaastudent said on Sunday, Dec 2 at 7:23 PM
I met isreal, jimmy eckert, Kenneth Dion, sheaffer cox, coleman barney, jarred maine, all in fairbanks alaska on farmers loop with douglas schumann, eugene kim schumann, and kurt schuman. MAke an arrest or get a suspect in the 1993 uaf murder already.
108139905Jones said on Sunday, Dec 2 at 7:30 PM
We are so quick to judge. It's not our place to do so... Only God has that right, and he says revengence is His... I truly pray for these families of all victims.. that our Father give them the peace of all understanding..
108140301Duwayne said on Sunday, Dec 2 at 8:22 PM
sorry to say but we cant believe any of this story..hes dead..from something..and now hes confessed to numerous other deaths..nope..sounds too good to be true..cant believe a single word of what your saying..
108143291Anonymous said on Sunday, Dec 2 at 9:54 PM
teaballs has meatballs for a brain...
108147766Louis said on Sunday, Dec 2 at 10:02 PM
The worst thing is he took his life and not the government. At least the fed still has capital punishment in it's trove of punishments. Alaska's judiciary and much of the bar is replete with left coast lawyers. As a state we lack the backbone to meet out the ultimate punishment to fecal material like this. What an embarrassment
108148005Wayne said on Sunday, Dec 2 at 10:58 PM
Louis, are you saying that the feds were screwed out of the chance to torture and kill this guy? Dude that is SO BADDASS! I'm so not impressed with your mind setSweet Dreams!!
108150436Standing UP for SAM! said on Monday, Dec 3 at 12:38 AM
Jeffrey Davis - did you know Sam - because I did and you should be ashamed of yourself. People like you are what make this world almost intolerable. Shame on you.
108154066JUSTICE said on Monday, Dec 3 at 12:44 AM
TO BAD, A BEAR SHOULD HAVE RIPPED HIM APART PIECE BY PIECE.ONE WILD ANIMAL BY ANOTHER WILD ANIMAL.
108154166Tom said on Monday, Dec 3 at 12:57 AM
There *has* to be a way to ferret out sociopaths at an early age and then dispatch them. Think of all the women who'd be alive today if we did that to Ted Bundy and others. Sociopaths are "human" as far as flesh and blood go but that's where it ends. Some in the medical professions say they don't have "souls."
108154836Anonymous said on Monday, Dec 3 at 1:46 AM
well all i can say is this is a tragedy no matter which way you slice it i wish the faather some peace and her family as well,may there be less of this.
108156196chris said on Monday, Dec 3 at 1:50 AM
all i can say is this is a tragedy all the way around no matter which way you slice it ,i really wish peace for her father and her family ,this saddens me a great deal that a young woman and others had to die needlessly,i pray for there loved ones.
108156311DaRogue said on Monday, Dec 3 at 5:05 AM
The killer did not get punished was it even human?, innocents, people of all walks of life were murdered by this throwback... the tragedy in this is it's victims and their families lives are destroyed some before they had a chance to live. does jailing these non humans work? I for know they are not human and to treat them as such proves society's working... but Justice?
108165702sylva smith said on Monday, Dec 3 at 6:13 AM
Perhaps if they HAD said things and invited the other jurisdictions to interview this guy, they may have more info into other murders/victims/bodies...
108170446Alaska907 said on Monday, Dec 3 at 9:52 AM
Come to Alaska an kill our own, you'll end up dead to.
108189616Shawn Jr said on Monday, Dec 3 at 2:37 PM
The D.O.C. Really dropped the ball on this one :(
108214955nationalist1488 said on Monday, Dec 3 at 4:00 PM
this shows what kind of scum an atheist like keyes is.
108220832karl8814 said on Monday, Dec 3 at 4:06 PM
Keyes is the athiest scum who preys on innocent strangers.
108221236Anonymous said on Monday, Dec 3 at 5:04 PM
What happens in Alaska stays in Alaska...or use to!
108225185Anonymous said on Wednesday, Dec 5 at 9:19 AM
sounds like a hired killer to me...find the boss...
108374665J said on Thursday, Apr 4 at 7:31 AM
OMG some of you are actually going to sit there and feel sorry for his death? Saying he was "someone's son" well guess what. Being a serial rapist and murderer is not something you just wake up one day and become. The parents were flawed in some way too. This killer was a predator that needed to be put down and by his own hand or not, its over. Go to his funeral and spit on his coffin for closure, he is dead and gone. He will never hurt strangers again.
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