After Man’s Arrest In Koenig Abduction, Who is Israel Keyes?

Not well known by his neighbors, Keyes has little criminal history

Tools

By Bill McAllister
Bio | Email

Story Created: Mar 16, 2012 at 9:43 AM AKDT

Story Updated: Mar 16, 2012 at 9:53 AM AKDT

ANCHORAGE - Tonight, Israel Keyes, who has lived in Alaska for five years, remains something of a mystery.

The man arrested in connection with the Samantha Koenig abduction has lived in the Turnagain neighborhood for about two years, according to a few neighbors, who did not want to go on camera.

They say Keyes extensively remodeled the house at 2456 Spurr Lane soon after moving in. Kimberly Anderson owns the house, according to property records.

Keyes lived with his girlfriend and a little girl, although it's not known whether she is his, hers or theirs.

Keyes is described as seemingly easy going, although we could find no one who had a substantive conversation with him.

He and his girlfriend reportedly had three or four parties a year, with about 10 cars parking along Spurr lane.

Keyes has a company, Keyes construction, with a post office box for an address. No one answered the company’s phone tonight.

Neighbor Russell Gunderson, who never met Keyes, says he observed that Keyes was busy. "Nothing suspicious at all, except for that he worked hard. You know, he was always on the go."

On his company's website, Keyes lists two personal references. Messages were left with both of those individuals this evening, but so far the calls, emails and Facebook messages – to Washington state and Virginia – have not been returned.

In June 2006, Keyes finished 129th in a marathon in Olympia, Washington, in a time of 9 hours and 2 minutes.

And he has a traffic-related criminal record.

He was convicted in federal court of drunk driving, speeding and failure to obey a traffic control device in Tacoma, Washington, in 2001.

He also had a state charge there of driving with a suspended license.

And now he's facing the most serious charge of his life -- a life that remains largely shrouded tonight.

The FBI wants to talk to anyone who has been in contact with Israel Keyes since the first of this year.

People with information should call 1-800-225-5324 or 1-800-CALL-FBI.
 
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.