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Subscribe to RSSA man accused of murdering an Alaska woman and at least seven other people has taken his own life, according to police. KTUU's Rhonda McBride reports.
ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- A confessed serial killer awaiting trial for the kidnapping death of an Anchorage teenager was found dead in his jail cell Sunday in an apparent suicide, law enforcement officials said.
Israel Keyes had admitted to abducting and killing 18-year-old Samantha Koenig, who disappeared in February from an espresso stand in Anchorage, officials said at a news conference Sunday.
Keyes also admitted to killing a Vermont couple, Bill and Lorraine Currier, in June 2011, and up to five more people whom he did not name, prosecutors said.
Keyes revealed his past crimes in dozens of hours of interviews conducted after he was arrested for Koenig's death, officials said.
"He did tell us that he had killed other people and that there were bodies of up to four other people in Washington state, as well as a body disposed of in New York state," Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Feldis said after the press conference.
There may be even more murder victims, Feldis said.
Keyes also admitted to two bank robberies, one of them committed in Texas after Koenig's murder, Feldis said.
FBI officials said they considered Keyes to be a serial killer, NBC station KTUU reported.
"We've developed information that he was responsible for multiple additional victims. To our knowledge there are no other victims here in Alaska. They're all in the Lower 48," FBI Special Agent Mary Rook told the station.
"We do know he traveled extensively and he didn't always stay where he landed. He would land in one airport, rent a car and drive hundreds of miles,” she added.
AP
Alaska barista Samantha Koenig, 18, was abducted after she closed up a coffee stand in Anchorage.
Father of abducted barista, 18, pleads for her return
The FBI told the station that it had spoken with its behavioral analysts in Quantico, Virginia, to get insight into Keyes’ personality.
"He was very, very sensitive to his reputation," Anchorage Police Chief Mark Mew said, according to KTUU. "As odd as that sounds, we had to keep things extremely quiet in order to keep him talking with us."
Details about the cause of Keyes' death were not released, but a spokeswoman for the Alaska State Troopers said he was alone in his cell and that foul play was not suspected.
Texas arrest in case of abducted 18-year-old Alaska barista
Sunday's news conference was the first public release of many details about a case that has transfixed Anchorage residents.
Koenig's disappearance from the coffee stand in February triggered a city-wide search and a reward fund. Keyes was arrested in Texas after using a debit card linked to Koenig.
Investigators found Koenig's body in early April in an iced-over lake north of Anchorage. Officials said Sunday that Keyes' initial confession led them to that location, and that he had admitted using a chainsaw to cut a hole in the ice to dump her body in the lake.
Body in icy lake is missing Alaska barista, police say
Koenig's body is the only one of Keyes' victims that has been found, officials said Sunday.
Although Keyes told investigators that he placed the Curriers' bodies in an abandoned Vermont house, that house was demolished and searchers were unable to find the victims' remains at the site, officials said.
Law enforcement officials described Keyes as methodical and a frequent traveler, able to conceal his actions and dispose of his victims' bodies without easy discovery.
Keyes, 34, was a self-employed carpenter and Army veteran who had been stationed at Fort Lewis in Washington state. He moved to Anchorage in 2007. He also had a house and property in Constable, New York.
He had been scheduled for trial in March on federal charges, and faced a possible death penalty.
The investigation into Keyes' crimes - some of which date back 14 years - will continue, a process that could take years, officials said.
"Mr. Keyes never showed no remorse for his actions," Feldis told KTUU.
Michelle Tasker, a spokeswoman for the Koenig family, told KTUU Sunday that news of Keyes' apparent suicide was not the outcome they wanted.
"We would've obviously liked for him to have gone in front of a jury of his peers and answer for what he's been accused of doing," said Tasker. "He did an injustice again to Samantha."
Reuters contributed to this report.
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Leave a Comment:
It is hard to imagine why someone would do such terrible things. Must be a form of brain damage.
Are you talking about our President or this guy?
@Jeff, actually he was talking about you.
Helps the deficit..
It's the outcome "we" wanted. I thank him from the bottom of my heart.
R.I.H. (Rest in Hell) Scumbag...
Keyes lived a coward's life and died a coward's death
Now if we could just get another 10 thousand to follow his lead maybe our taxes will go down, we will have less crime and fewer attorneys to support.
wow...could not have happened to a nicer guy....(note: sarcasm)....hope he burns in hell!!!
Good...
It would have been better to keep him talking longer, to clear up more unsolved homicides. Plenty of time for him to rot in jail later.
Hey pal, thanks for the favor. I'd pay it back, but . . . .
Thanks again.
Bob
Didn't take long for the second guy out of the box to go after Obama.... nutcase!
jeffy jeffy jeffy,
only a hateful creep / republican't would mix politics into such a sad story. show us on the doll where daddy touched you...idiot troll.
No this isn't the outcome 'we' wanted.
The families of the victims would have liked to face him in court, don' you think? And if he's a serial killer who traveled extensively as the article said, how many other people in other states could he have possibly killed but not yet confessed to/ the families of those loved ones now will never know what happened to their loved ones, denying them closure.
We as a society want answers when someone commits a crime. That is why we have a legal system to get individuals to provide society with answers. To commit suicide is the coward's way of getting out of that process and a last act of defiance to the families of those victims who desperately wanted answers and to a society who is left with the unanswered question of 'why?'
Why did an honorably-discharged veteran decide to kill innocents? we're never going to know that now, and if we don;t know what happened this time, how do we prevent other vets from going down that same road of mental instability in the future?
Israel Keyes. Born a chickensh!t, died a chickensh!t.....good riddance!!!!
It's mental illness.
It is a shame he couldn't have gave a little more info before killing himself but who knows, he may not have saved taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars if he would've had a few more days to think about it.
On another note, what an ahole to go political on a story like this.
One more thing, couldn't they have photo shopped the pot leaves off the girls headband......
Wow an early Christmas miracle!! This is great news and did us all a favor. Like others said he was a coward and died like the coward he was.
In saying that I do agree the joy is minimal b/c it doesn't change what he did and now we may never know how many others he possibly killed, Amanda is right about that. Great this POS is gone from this world now like he should be but heartbreaking to know that we may never find out how many others he killed and their families that won't be able to find full closure.
One thing is for sure though, at least we all know 100% that this scumbag won't be able to harm anyone else.
It is time
It's not "illness." It's "evil." Many, many mentally ill people live normal, everyday lives. They deal with life. Mentally evil people live to harm others. That's what they do. This guy was one of them.
Too bad they couldn't get more information out of him before he offed himself. Other than that, throw his body out where the wildlife can feed on it. It would be the only "good" thing about him.
To the nine of you so far who've given a positive vote to this comment, you're no better than the pile of dog excrement shown in the poster's avatar. His comment is offensive enough, but what are you thinking giving a thumbs up to someone who uses a picture of dog sh!t for his name and profile?
Jeff-1000985 banned, serial derailer, multiple of banned user Quanda.
Geronimo Sittingbull banned, rereg of multiple accounter Tranquil Nihilist.
Jeremy, you may not ever see my comment, but, can you please answer for me what pot leaves on her headband have to do with anything? Why should they have photo shopped them out? Please try and get over your archaic thinking. Or, is there an evil meaning in your comment? Like, maybe if she wasn't "that kind of girl" he would not have targeted her?
''What goes around,comes around,'' as the saying goes. This nomadic serial killer Israel Keyes, should be given a ''right and proper burial'' on an ice flow known to be frequented by polar bears (who are undoubtably hungry this time of year and would welcome a tasty and nutritious meal). This would only be appropriate considering the treatment meted out to the barista.
Absolutely not. This human being was evil and flawed and tainted. His evil shouldn't be allowed to spread, to get back out into the world.
Remember, you are what you eat.
No, he should be cremated and his remains given to his family for interment. If he has none (or none willing to claim his remains) his ashes should be sprinkled on ground strewn with salt.
According to my beliefs.
Too bad he didn't do this before he slaughtered all those people.
Amanda - I'd be inclined to say he's not worth the fuel it would take. A couple of concrete blocks tied to him and dropped off the side of a boat or find one of the many mine sites in Alaska look for an already dug pit and drop him in it. Like you said though don't want to feed bad food to the animals or even pollute the ground any more for that matter. Eitherway need to show his remains the same respect he showed others in life.
Good bye to bad rubbish.
I actually have to say "thank you" to the self admitted killer. Saved all of us a ton of money is doing what we would have done in the end. No appeals... no extensions.
A US Attorney said he never showed NO remorse for his actions?
noticed that too...double negative...so much for our educational system.
Heartfelt prayers to the families of the sociopath's victims.
Confusing. So did he show remorse or not? Prayers for peace and strength to the families and friends of the victims.
Carolyn, lazy English, hurts the ears, and annoys the brain.
You have to remembe he is a US attorney in Alaska. The state that elected a hockey mom as Governor.
heeeey carrryeeelinn, ... he prollie juss donna no no better than yuse dus uno. We cunnnnnit all be azz smarttttt-azzes yuse izz.
Slimyone,
You indeed are. Whatever your problems are with Sarah Palin, she was a good Governor. I work for the State of Alaska and she was more respectful of State Employees than any other Governor we have had. I would vote for again. When she hit the campaign trail with McCain, I figured she would be leaving her office ragardless of the result of the Presidential election. She was given too many offers that were too good to pass up and was able to leave some jackwad in Anchorage that was continually filing suit against her.
Personally I think that anytime someone admits to cold blooded murder the authorities should arrange a 'suicide'. Nice going and kudos to the Alaska Police for saving us all so much money.
That was my initial thoughts also. I don't think so because the police would've wanted the names of the other victims he claimed.
IFFFFFF it wont fer lukkkkk (lottsa-lukkkkk) NO-BUDDDEEEEEY wud evvaaah get caugtht by thaa keeeeeystone koppz.
All women should be carrying a XL can of bear mace, especially now days. It is extremely effective to ward off an attacker, take out the enemy's sight and your 90% free, other than a firearm, it's the next best thing. It's good he executed himself, the tax payers want have to furnish a maniac with, food, shelter, clothing and medical expenses for the rest of his life.
You can keep the pepper spray. I prefer to season my meat after I cook it.
Bill go outside and play, these are adults talking.
If you can't afford bear spray, a can of wasp and hornet killer works wonders. It's very nasty. Those key-ring little canisters of pepper spray are basically useless. Get one for bears or w&p killer or just a small 9mm, maybe a Kahr or a Kel Tec.
You might be able to get a small 9mm gun, but that hole isn't gonna be small.
Great ideas on the sprays, from a woman a serial rapist tried to throw in the van. However, I had a Pit-looking dog (Boxer) with me-surprise. Too bad there was no DNA, although the police checked Rocky's mouth and got whatever flesh was there.
Fairly recently, my Pit scared these perps who wanted to get in my house, they figured: woman alone in a house with nothing but nature preserve and neighbors are far-great target.
Can't always have a large dog with you so the sprays are a great idea.
better still how about we supply all women, and yes even the chubs, with 10 liter bear mace backpacks as well as emergency helmets with a strobe light on top so when they get accosted they could activate the helmet and release bear mace all over the attacker? i think this should be mandatory just like seat belts and if a female is seen out in public without said backpack and helmet then heavy fines are imposed.
'chubs'? That's pretty low even from you, Uncle Henry.
Pray Hard,
Correct. I know of a couple women who actually carry wasp & hornet spray because where they live, pepper spray is actually illegal. WTF is that?!
They say it's just as bad on breathing & the eyes not to mention, there is a lot more of it in the can, it sprays out 20+ feet and it's "LEGAL". They keep a can by their front door of the house, on their nightstand and couple cans in the car. Even if you're car-jacked, I doubt a perp would even know to use it if they seen it.
It's one of those nearby subliminal things right under your nose that can yank the rug out from under you when sprayed in the face .
Right off the shelf man and it's just about as affective as bear mace which is 6 to 10x the cost of Wasp Spray.
For you single ladies that do not or refuse to own a gun, go out and buy a couple cans. They're cheap. Take one out back and test it at a tree or something so you can see how far it shoots and how to arc it for distance.
Creek Dog:
In my muncipality it is, and the reason is because some women are easily offended/easily nervous/overemotional and could pepper spray someone by accident and hurt others around them. i believe there was an incident where a very elderly nervous woman was on the bus traveling through a rough neighborhood, and when someone leaned forward in the seat behind her she pepper-sprayed that individual. Turned out it was a college kid who'd dropped a pen and was leaning forward to retrieve it from the floor, and because it's a closed, crowded bus, everyone was affected, including an infant and several toddlers. So no pepper spray and no conceal-carry of firearms.
I have a couple of swords on a quick-release mount right next to the front door, and I carry a backpack with a couple of bricks in the bottom of it. Never had to use it, but if I were to swing a backpack with a couple of bricks in it at a potential attacker, it should take them by surprise long enough for me to run.
If a woman is uncomfortable buying bear spray, just get a can of bee and wasp spray. It shoots a stream 25 feet in a concentrated stream.
They make on brand the foams up on contact, harder to get off face with out water.
Gives her time to pull her firearm if attacker doesn't run like hell, double tap center mass, one to the head if that doesn't stop them.
With any hope he suffered a long pain-full death, struggling to save himself up to the end. Couldn't have happened to a nicer guy.
Oh, let's hear it from the bleeding hearts about this misguided serial killer. I wish all those pieces of crap would have the guts to kill themselves, but they are cowards. When they are confronted by the police, they cry don't hurt me. Well, the police should shoot them on the spot.
We have a legal system that gives every person the right to due process. What you're suggesting is unconstitutional.
due process my ass,what if he killed one of Urs. Son,Daughter,mother ,father. They have no rights,they give them up when they commit their atrocities. Period!!
Due process is a good thing in an essentially civilized society. However, we are rapidly approaching a type of society wherein due process for all of the monsters will break the system. Society does not have the resources to coddle serial killers and their ilk.
people like this should be immediately stripped of all rights. So at that point they aren't covered by the constitution. So sick of these bastardos getting away with killing, tired of supporting thier lives in prisons where they have more than most innocents who are outside and homeless.
Maybe these guys are the 47% that Romney was talking about because they do expect free food, shelter, medical and even legal! So hows that for living off of society... just how many people are in prison and have taken others lives and then get the free ride?
Nonsense. Crime rates are down, and not by just a little bit. The system is working very well.
Funny how everyone wants to ignore what the family said. They wanted a trial. They wanted the opportunity to confront this guy. His suicide might let people not involved with the situation mouth off about how good it makes them feel that he's dead. But the family members' wishes should be first and foremost. For all of you talking about victims, you sure are ignoring the survivors of this guy's heinous acts.
200grand;
Yes, due process. No matter what the person is suspected guilty of, they are deserved the right to due process. Says the Constitution. Per my Oath of Citizenship, I am sworn to uphold and defend it (though you may be a natural-born citizen, in which case there was no oath. You should, however, still feel responsible for upholding it as you are born with the obligation.)
Getting back to the topic however..the rights for one are the rights of all. Due process is not only for the one suspected to have committed the act, due process is also for the victims. To deny one is to deny them all. While police did get a confession fro him as regards killing people, authorities also note that he traveled extensively. How likely do you think it is that he killed more than just the people he confessed to? And now that he's dead, some of those victims will never be found; their families will be denied their right to due process and may never know what happened to their loved ones.
"Due process" ...... I don't know what to say about that. I guess my complaint is the sentencing. No life in prison for jerk offs like this. He confessed, give him a trial for kicks and to help families heal, drag him out back and hang or shoot him. Stop housing, feeding, and caring for trash like this.
So the the constitution, habeas corpus, the right to a fair trial, and the right to defend yourself are just the tools of bleeding-heart liberals?
There are plenty of countries around the world where the police (or mobs) are happy to perform summary executions for someone suspected or accused of a crime. Or strip someone of their constitutional rights upon arrest. Maybe you should check them out...
In the meantime, be thankful that you live in a country that actually has the rule of law and a constitution that protects everyone's rights - even if you don't personally think they deserve them.
Justice system feels cheated when these guys kill themselves, DA's like the attention of putting them on trial, especially when its a foregone conclusion. However the state of Alaska just got saved a million or so in trial and prison costs depending on how long he would have lived.
"Mr. Keyes never showed no remorse for his actions," Feldis told KTUU."
Eric Holder's new DOJ. They even talk like they look, thugs.
Jeff-1000985
Are you talking about our President or this guy? You are sick get a life
If any one needs to get a life it's you. What a contribution to society you are.
Keyping it Real:
In post 1.1 above, Jeff said 'Are you talking about our president or this guy?' I believe et was responding to that. Personally I think it's tasteless to bring politics into this discussion, but that's just me. Everyone has a right to their own opinion.
Fieldis is mentioned in the article.
jeffy is a hateful little child / incest victim.
Bart starr:
'Hateful'?
While I may not agree with what Jeff said, I respect his right to say it, and your comment above doesn't indicate much better from you. In fact, your chosen screen name says a lot about you without your having to type a single word.
mandy,
how long have you & jeffy been married?
So, after being a serial killer and killing a handful of other helpless people, he killed the right person after all, himself. He was out of control, and he saw that, so in my opinion, he had more courage at the end than any time in his life, well done.
Elayne: didn't seee any bleeding heart posts - your blooodthitsty calll for suspending the rule of law was the first I read. I didn't enjoy it. It was typical of a certian type of poster, however, so you yu have the consolation of knowing others share your miserable world view. Jefff - goood jobv callling in HOlkder for no reason., whatsoever. IT says a lot more about you than it does about Holder. Have you beeen enjoying yourself since the election?
So NBC can report some stories with good endings...
Justice served. No more taxpayer money wasted on keeping him alive.
Man you are a serious douche bag.
He committed suicide?
@keyping it Real, that's what they say. He may have, or may not have had help. Personally, he already admitted his guilt, the trial was a slam dunk with that confession. Therefore he, with or with out help, did the citizens in Alaska a favor, saved them millions of tax dollars taking care of him for how many years?
**Said while laughing** That's too bad.....
That's what all those Sons of Bitches need is Death. What F___king rights do they have when they've commit ed such Hannis crimes. Put them out of their misery send they to the devil ,he's waiting for the scum...
Ahhh... there's that christian compassion we all admire. Jesus told me that he wants you off his team.
Funny, I didn't read anything in 200grands post about religion.
Besides the mention of the devil? Can we move past the superstition and LIES of all religion? Bane of society it is.
kizzes 4 WHO?????????????????????????? WTF izza matter w/SUM of yu IDDDDIOTS. DORRRRKZZZZ!
Death is always a trajedy in someones mind!
Like in the minds of his victims, their families and friends?
One less freak and drain on the economy. Looks like a win-win to me!
Too bad he lived as long as he did.
Oh look, another military veteran turned killer. Let me put on my surprised face.
200grand--Is that "hannis" as in anus? I know Jeff-1000985 has brought down the general IQ on this thread, his being that of a grapefruit, but hannis? Really?
Hahahahahahhahahahahahahaha!!!!!!! Oh, damn, coffee everywhere!
1-800-hooked on phonics!
Actually I think he meant 'haggis', probably thinks he was Scottish or something. He and Jeff-1000 live in their own little world where they bear no responsibility because it's all the Democrats fault. Kind of like the serial killer, he didn't think he had any responsibility until they slammed the cell door shut. And no, I'm not saying being an idiot who doesn't want to think for themselves is on the same level with a serial killer. A serial killer tends to be *much* smarter but neither feels responsibility for their actions.
'hannis' crimes='Heinous crimes'
This goes out to the Spelling and Grammar Police out there...do you know the definition of the word "typo"? Do you realize that your corrections are tackier than the mistakes? Does it make you feel more "intelligent" to point these errors out? You have no class.
@ marlane
I believe that you are just another bleeding heart liberal/apologist.
'Hannis' isn't a typo. That is the sign of an illiterate person. A typo would be something like writing 'jsut' instead of 'just'.
It is just as easy to use correct spelling, punctuation, & grammar as it is to use it incorrectly. But only if you're intelligent enough to know what you are doing in the first place.
You shouldn't make excuses for people who can't spell correctly or who can't compose coherent sentences. Butchering the English language, either through writing or while speaking, shows a lack of education & intelligence. That is how other people view it.
If no one corrects these mistakes then how will the people who make the mistakes ever learn? People shouldn't be proud about going through life sounding like & being viewed as idiots.
Oneslackr--I'm a proud progressive liberal and I don't apologize for anybody but myself. I totally agree with your post. If you spell the word"heinous" as "hannis" then you are illiterate or lazy or both. Nothing to be proud of. The trouble here is that Americans no longer read. They hear words like heinous, know what it means, but have no clue how to spell it and thus you get hannis. And the people who don't care and are too lazy to even use spell checker? Well, I have no use for them.
I repeat, every point you made above is right on. I would recommend, however, that you not be so quick to paint somebody with your political prejudice. Liberals can be just as quick to condemn illiteracy and stupidity. See? I just did that.
Its NO suicide ........ Well planned execution.
Good-bye and good riddance to this bottom of my shoe gum-skuzz. He went out of this world like the coward that he was. We the people didn't have the chance to give him his day in court. Even skuzzes like him wheather they deserve it or not get their day in court. And he skirted us his chance. But no burial for him. Skuzz like him get the fire treatment, straight creamations for the likes of him and his lot, so that he gets the prequel to where he'll be spending his afterlife for all of the woes that he has caused to all of these families...
Such warm and fuzzy thoughts with which to start your day. Does it feel good, Mr. Brown? I imagine your heart is pounding with self satisfaction as you attack the low hanging fruit of the morning. Onward christian soldiers!