Israel Keyes.jpg
Investigators are seeking information about Israel Keyes, a serial killer who said his first victim was in Oregon.
(FBI)
The FBI asked for the public’s help on Tuesday tracking people with information about serial killer Israel Keyes, including a woman in Oregon who is believed to be his first victim.
Investigators believe Keyes committed multiple kidnappings and killed 11 people between 2001 and 2012 while traveling in the United States, Mexico, Canada between 2001 and March 2012, when he was arrested in the rape, murder and dismemberment of Samantha Koenig, an 18-year-old barista in Anchorage, Alaska.
Investigators believe he did not know any of his victims, who he found in parks, campgrounds, boat ramps and other places. He is believed to have committed
in the summer of 1997 or 1998 near Maupin.
Keyes, who committed suicide last year while in custody in Alaska, told investigators that a girl, between 14 and 18 years old, was with friend on a tubing excursion on the Deschutes River when he lured her away and raped her. He did not kill her, he said.
The FBI has been unable to locate any corresponding police reports. If true, the victim would now be in her late 20s or early 30s. Investigators asked that she and anyone else with information about his crimes to call the FBI office in Oregon at 503-224-4181or toll free at 800-CALL-FBI.
Here are details about the rest of Keyes’ travels:
July 2001: Keyes was discharged from the U.S. Army.
July 2001 to October 2001: Keyes committed his first homicide while living in Neah Bay, Wash. The person’s identity is unknown.
July 2001 to 2005: Keyes told investigators he murdered a couple in Washington. Keyes refused to tell law enforcement whether the couple was married, what their relationship was or anything about them. He indicated that they are buried near a valley. Keyes may have moved the victim's car to place distance between where the vehicle was found and where the crime occurred.
2005 to 2006: Keyes admitted to two separate murders. He said he used his boat to dispose of their bodies. He got rid of one in Crescent Lake in Washington, submerging it in more than 100 feet of water with anchors.
March 1 to March 9, 2007: Keyes drove from Neah Bay to Anchorage, Alaska where he lived until his arrest. He traveled the Alaska-Canadian Highway, stopping in Cache Creek, B.C.; Watson Lake, Yukon Territory; Destruction Bay, Yukon Territory; and Teslin, Yukon Territory. Keyes crossed the border into Alaska on March 9, 2007.
Oct. 31 to Nov. 5, 2008: Keyes flew to Seattle after traveling to several states, including North Dakota and Arizona. On Oct. 31, Keyes rented a 2008 PT Cruiser in Seattle. Then on Nov. 2, he flew from Seattle to Boston, returning to Seattle and then flying back to Anchorage on Nov. 5. Police seek information about any crimes Keyes may have committed on this trip.
April 9, 2009: Keyes admitted to abducting a female from a state on the East Coast and transported that person over multiple state lines into New York. The victim is buried in upstate New York, he said. Investigators do not believe this victim is buried on the property Keyes owned in Constable, N.Y.
April 10, 2009: Keyes robbed Community Bank in Tupper Lake, N.Y. After the bank robbery, Keyes told investigators he parked in a nearby campground outside of the area to wait for the emergency response vehicles to pass.
July 9 to July 12, 2010: Keyes flew from Anchorage to Sacramento, Calif., and then traveled to Auburn, Calif. He rented a black Ford Focus and drove approximately 280 miles during the three days. Officials want information about his activities during this trip.
April to May 2011: Keyes staked out a park near Point Woronzof in Anchorage. Intending to shoot a couple sitting in a car. But a police officer pulled into the lot. Keyes considered shooting the officer but changed his mind when a second police officer showed up.
May 2011: Keyes reported he staked out the North Fork Trailhead in Eagle River, Alaska with the intention of abducting someone. He prepared a cache a short distance up the road that contained Drano and a shovel which he intended to use to dispose of the body.
June 8, 2011: Keyes flew from Anchorage to Chicago on June 2, rented a car and drove to Essex, Vt. Keyes admitted to abducting and murdering Bill and Lorraine Currier on June 8. He disposed of a weapon stolen from the Currier home and the gun he used to shoot Bill Currier in Blakes River Falls Reservoir, both of which were recovered by the FBI.
Following their murder, Keyes traveled around the East Coast and then drove to Chicago. On June 15, he flew from Chicago to San Francisco, stayed one night, then returned to Anchorage on June 16.
Feb. 1, 2012: Keyes admitted abducting and killing Samantha Koenig in Anchorage. He disposed of her body in Matanuska Lake near Palmer, Alaska.
Feb 2 to Feb. 18, 2012: Keyes flew to New Orleans where he went on a cruise until Feb. 11. After, he drove from New Orleans to Texas. Although he denied it, investigators believe Keyes may be responsible for a homicide in Texas or a surrounding state during this time. In the morning of Feb. 16, Keyes set a home on fire in Aledo, Texas. Following the arson, he robbed National Bank of Texas in Azle, Texas.
— Lynne Terry
If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. By browsing this site, we may share your information with our social media partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (updated 4/4/2023), Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (updated 7/1/2023).
© 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. All rights reserved (About Us).
The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local.
Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site.
YouTube’s privacy policy is available here and YouTube’s terms of service is available here.
Ad Choices