Israel Keyes Investigated for Possible Lower 48 Murders

Alleged murderer of Samantha Koenig, Keyes, brings up questions in Lower 48

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By Heather Hintze
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Story Created: Jul 31, 2012 at 8:13 PM AKDT

Story Updated: Aug 1, 2012 at 11:33 AM AKDT

ANCHORAGE - Six months after 18-year-old Samantha Koenig was kidnapped and murdered, authorities are investigating to see if her accused killer, Israel Keyes, could be connected to other cases on the East Coast.

Two weeks ago a Vermont television station, WCAX, reported Keyes might be connected to the disappearance and murder of a couple there.

WCAX reported on June 8, 2011 Keyes checked into a hotel in Essex, Vermont – the same day Bill and Lorraine Currier went missing. Keyes checked out the following day.

Investigators have not yet named a suspect, but gave a few details at a press conference. “The person believed to have committed the murders is in custody in another state and will stay in custody,” said Tristam Coffin, U.S. Attorney for Vermont.

On July 25, 11-year-old Celina Cass went missing from her home in West Stewartstown, New Hampshire. Her body was found in the Connecticut River not far from the Canadian border.

WCAX confirmed Israel Keyes owns a cabin in Constable, New York, which is on the Canadian border. It’s also a four-hour drive from West Stewartstown and an hour and a half from Essex.

Over the weekend the New Hampshire Assistant Attorney General, Jane Young, publicly acknowledged for the first time that investigators were gathering information about Keyes.

“State Police are aware of Mr. Keyes and they are being provided information through the FBI. Everybody is looked at in these case,” Young told a New Hampshire paper on Sunday.

The Anchorage Police Department said when a person is in custody it’s crucial investigators look at every place the person’s been.

“It is very important obviously if a person has committed crimes in another place that they be held responsible for that,” said Lieutenant Dave Parker.

Parker also said it’s important to remember Keyes has only been charged with Koenig’s kidnapping and murder. So far authorities have made no on-the-record connections between him and the East Coast cases.

 
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