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Police Confirm Homicide and Kidnapping Case Being Built Against Keyes in Koenig AbductionRelated Content
ANCHORAGE – A variety of both state and federal charges are under consideration for Israel Keyes, the man Anchorage police believe kidnapped and killed an 18-year-old barista the evening of February 1. After a nearly two-month search, a forensic dive team found what they believe to be the body of Samantha Koenig Monday under the ice at Matanuska Lake. Security camera footage shows Koenig was abducted by a man wearing a hooded sweatshirt from her work at Common Grounds Espresso coffee stand around 8:30 p.m. on the first of February, and Anchorage police said they believe she was killed hours after she was taken. While the surveillance video footage of the kidnapping was never released publicly and a Freedom of Information Act request from KTVA for the video was denied, police said it depicted a clearly frightened Koenig and contained important evidentiary information. On March 13, Texas Rangers and highway patrol officers arrested 34-year-old Keyes in Lufkin, Texas in connection with Koenig’s kidnapping. The self-employed Anchorage contractor was charged with access device fraud after law enforcement officers discovered a stolen Visa debit card and rolls of cash in his possession, and an FBI affidavit states he became “increasingly confrontational” when questioned about his whereabouts. The affidavit went on to detail the fraud investigation against Keyes, which surrounded the withdrawal of roughly $2,400 from a Credit Union 1 account between February 28 and March 12. While the transactions began in Anchorage, they later began popping up on ATMs in Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. A man identified only as “Person A” had reported the card stolen early February 2, just hours after Koenig was abducted. Her father, James Koenig, denied the card belonged to him. Hours after Keyes was arrested in East Texas, Anchorage police raided his Turnagain home, and later said they believed he was directly involved in Koenig’s abduction. Keyes arrived in Anchorage in the custody of U.S. Marshals on March 26, and awaits trial at the Anchorage Correctional Complex after pleading not guilty to the federal fraud charge. It won’t be the only one he faces. In a brief, scripted press conference Monday, Anchorage police Chief Mark Mew said his department believes Koenig’s killer acted alone and is in custody: Lieutenant Dave Parker today confirmed they’re building a homicide and kidnapping case against Keyes. Parker said it could include an array of both federal and state level charges, but until they’re brought forward in court, details surrounding the events of February 1 will be sparse. While Mew said the Anchorage Police Department is working with the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to bring charges against Keyes, Parker said the documents surrounding the investigation are sealed until that time. Detectives could not comment on what led them to Matanuska Lake Monday, why the FBI removed a white storage shed from Keyes’ driveway the evening of March 30, or whether Keyes is cooperating with investigative efforts. An autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday to confirm the identity of the body, and FBI Special Agent in Charge Mary Rook said there were still many questions left to be investigated. She said there was no apparent connection between Keyes and Koenig or any member of her family. Meanwhile, law enforcement agencies continue to ask for public help in identifying the whereabouts of Keyes’ white pickup truck after February 1. Anchorage police could not comment on when they believe Koenig’s body was taken to the Matanuska Lake, but specifically asked to hear from anyone who may have seen the truck there in the weeks following the abduction. “People can draw their own conclusions,” Parker said. |
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cooljulie said on Saturday, Apr 7 at 9:14 PM
APD didn't solve squat. The FBI and Texas Rangers are the law enforcement here. APD is about useless and that is giving them credit. I would speculate that the body was hidden in the shed, and then transported at a later time, thus the forensic need for the shed. Somehow I think this will not turn out to be quite as random as they are making it sound.
86736254APD Fan said on Saturday, Apr 7 at 8:11 AM
I hope APD can piece together the clues well enough to make this case stick. Let's review the evidence and try to help them fill in the gaps. 1) There is video footage of the abductor CONDUCTING THE ABDUCTION. (Think the abductor might resemble Keyes?) 2) Texas police caught an Anchorage resident in Texas with her stolen ATM card and excessive cash in the possession of an out-of-work construction worker. (Think they could track recent withdrawals from HIS account to see if he was carrying his OWN cash?) 3) Records show that her stolen card was used in Anchorage after her abduction and continued to be used throughout the Southwest. (Think they might be able to connect KEYES’ plane ticket(s) to the locations of the ATM withdrawals?) 4) Dive teams mysteriously find her hidden under the ice in Matanuska Lake only days after he was taken into custody. (Think he may have told them where to look?) Good luck, APD. This conundrum might test all of your skills!
86692186sonofliberty said on Friday, Apr 6 at 9:53 AM
I would like to see that SOB fry in the chair like Ted Bundy and the rest of these savages. Murderers and rapists NEVER CHANGE. They are not remorseful, they are liars waiting for an opportunity to be released so they can go right back to doing their evil in this world.
86619866Jason said on Friday, Apr 6 at 7:42 AM
I am from KS and was in Anchorage/Wasilla for business that week when Samantha went missing. I have been following ths ever since and was deeply saddened that the outcome ended up this way. It is truly sad and horrible that this Ended the way it did. My thoughts and prayers are with Samantha's family, friends, and the Anchorage community. Have comfort and faith that this will be worked out in the justice system.
86607846LinLew said on Thursday, Apr 5 at 9:03 PM
I have been watching this story here in Texas and sharing all information with the public,praying that she be found alive,possibly sold for drugs at the TEX-Mex border..but at least alive with the possibility of her coming home safe.I am so extremely sad it has ended this way for her and her dad.It really tears me up with this question,Why did he have to kill her.what was the point in taking a beautiful life for what ? Money ? Sex ? He could have gotten that any where.No need to kill this precious girl.It is getting to be an epidemic.Life means little to so many now.i hope and pray he gets his in prison.Don't want this monster to die too easy.
86577846David said on Thursday, Apr 5 at 7:57 PM
This is so heart wrenching turn of results. When they determine the victims death of any violent crime, The killer(s) should receive the same way of departure.
86574955mominalaska said on Thursday, Apr 5 at 5:06 PM
Closure? There will never be closure. Only solice in the fact that another family will not have to endure such pain and suffering of not knowing where their little girl is. His sentence will be carried out by his prison inmates.
86564485EA, Kenai said on Wednesday, Apr 4 at 10:55 PM
How COULD KTVA ask for the video footage of the abduction?? And then appeal the denial? Shame on you, shame on you! Why would you even THINK of compromising the investigation on this case to satisfy people's curiosity? Keep it safe and secure, get the guy hung.
86487246Raven33 said on Wednesday, Apr 4 at 11:53 AM
Keep the evidence quiet and news media. let the trial happen in the court and no where else. We don't need another Sanford, FL here in AK. That guy in FL will never get a unbiased jury even if they held it here in AK's court system!
86446874auya said on Wednesday, Apr 4 at 10:21 AM
I only hope that he gets what he did to her I don't think this was his first and you would think his so called girl friend knows something come on now people we are not stupid my prayers are with all her family God Bless You All
86437483EJ said on Wednesday, Apr 4 at 9:23 AM
I was so sad to hear the outcome. Hopefully this s.o.b will be mixed with the rest of the prison population and they can take care of him.
86430863vic said on Wednesday, Apr 4 at 9:01 AM
prayers to the famliy the justice system will prove he did it thank god they found him so he can never do this again
86428474george said on Wednesday, Apr 4 at 8:57 AM
he will get whats coming to him they will prove throegh d n a and other stuff they have on him
86428114dianne said on Wednesday, Apr 4 at 8:10 AM
Are they finding any connection between Keyes and the missing man from Houston who was found a few weeks ago?
86422603wut if said on Wednesday, Apr 4 at 7:58 AM
wut if he did this to support his durg habbits, and will others do this for their drug money?
86421254jeremy said on Tuesday, Apr 3 at 10:12 PM
He needs to go to Barrow or Nome and stay there forever.
86387186Anonymous said on Tuesday, Apr 3 at 8:56 PM
hang him high thats corpral punishment
86384704ctw said on Tuesday, Apr 3 at 8:21 PM
What about the person she filed a restraining order again but did not go to court because scared Hello
86383184AK Mutt said on Tuesday, Apr 3 at 6:50 PM
Dusty. The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is a federal freedom of information law that allows for the full or partial disclosure of previously unreleased information and documents controlled by the United States government. State of Alaska Public records act states Exempt: Juvenile, adoption, medical and public health; library lending; names of victims of certain types of sexual assault; and some law enforcement records.
86377686JIm said on Tuesday, Apr 3 at 5:16 PM
When will we being back the Gallo's.
86371024Georgia said on Tuesday, Apr 3 at 5:04 PM
This is terrible. May she rest in peace. I feel so sick inside.
86370234Beverley said on Tuesday, Apr 3 at 4:18 PM
may god be with you all,at this sad time.
86366484akmediascope said on Tuesday, Apr 3 at 4:13 PM
I cant imagine why KTVA would want the video and possibly compromise the case. I don't want to see an actual abduction on the news. Later after conviction it could go on AMW in a complete story -- but right now the complete story should be nowhere outside the court room and any stories from media should focus on court proceedings. For all we know, this dude could have done this before
86366115akger907 said on Tuesday, Apr 3 at 3:58 PM
geez shane....not very considerate towards the family. don't you think they're going through enough without your ignorant comment? you should learn to keep them to yourself.
86364875BobD said on Tuesday, Apr 3 at 3:49 PM
Hey , Anonymous , doesn't it hurt having to carry all that stupid around with you ?
86363886alaskaman said on Tuesday, Apr 3 at 3:43 PM
I can see how the shed comes into play, he used it as a ice house so no one see him dump the body in the water, i bet u that shed has a hole in the floor, i do remember seein runners on that sled when it was loaded on the truck when it was taken to the fbi
86363444sinbad68 said on Tuesday, Apr 3 at 3:41 PM
Come on folks, just let the FBI and APD do their work. As 'your dad' said, we don't want another Joshua Wade back on the streets. I'm sure you 'information hounds' are the same ones who stop and inspect all the train wrecks.
86363275Anonymous said on Tuesday, Apr 3 at 3:30 PM
Dusty this is just the tip of the iceberg of police corruptions... Palmer Da covered murders of young girls and child rapists... Guess when your a Palin you can get away with murder...FBI might want to look into this house of mirrors of Sarah Todd...
86362345your dad said on Tuesday, Apr 3 at 3:25 PM
great this is very familier like the Josh Wade episode...
86361954Dusty said on Tuesday, Apr 3 at 3:06 PM
Let's get this straight - KTVA requested under the Freedom of Information Act, copies of the video, and was denied.............isn't there a federal law violation here? I guess APD can do what they want and get away with it. Thought they had to obey laws like everybody else?? Give the FBI their credit. APD is trying to take all the spotlight.
86360555Anonymous said on Tuesday, Apr 3 at 2:25 PM
DNA confirmation first folks...cops are stupid...
86357744Shane said on Tuesday, Apr 3 at 1:55 PM
This girl was very pretty. I'm guessing he raped her too. Just saying.
86355556sue k. said on Tuesday, Apr 3 at 1:37 PM
sorry to hear this james koenig...at least we all know where she is now...hope this man will pay dearly for what he has done to your daughter...he deserves to go the way she did....r.i.p. samantha.....
86354296Keith said on Tuesday, Apr 3 at 12:34 PM
R.I.P. Samantha, at least some closure for the family.
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