Solving the murders of Israel Keyes (2024)

48 Hours

/ CBS News

Solving the murders of Israel Keyes (1)

Inside the investigation of a prolific serial killer and the FBI's mission to identify his unknown victims.

These skulls, drawn by serial killer Israel Keyes in his own blood, were found under his bed in his jail cell. The FBI is making them public for the first time. It is believed Keyes killed 11 people, as represented by the 11 skulls.

Israel Keyes

Solving the murders of Israel Keyes (2)

A mug shot of 34-year-old Israel Keyes.

During an interrogation Keyes told law enforcement, "Once I started, you know, there was nothing else like it."

Samantha Koenig

Solving the murders of Israel Keyes (3)

Samantha Koenig, 18, was abducted on February 1, 2012. According to reports, the reward for her return reached $70,000 by February 28, 2012.

The Coffee Stand

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The Common Grounds Espresso coffee stand in Anchorage, Alaska, where barista Samantha Koenig disappeared on February 1, 2012

Texas ATM Withdrawal

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Investigators were monitoring Samantha Koenig's debit card and were alerted after an ATM withdrawal was made from her debit card in Sheppard, Texas. Israel Keyes is seen here on surveillance video with a hood, sunglasses and a face covering.

Keyes' Rental Car

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Israel Keyes would often rent cars when he traveled and then drive thousands of miles to locations where he wanted to kill. He was driving a rented white Ford Focus when Texas officers pulled him over for a traffic infraction. After searching the vehicle, they found an ID, debit card and cell phone that belonged to Samantha Koenig. He was arrested.

Keyes Questioned

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Israel Keyes was questioned at the FBI's Field Office in Anchorage, Alaska. Keyes confessed he murdered Samantha Koenig to members of the Anchorage Police Department, U.S. Attorney's Office and FBI agents. The interviews from that confession have never been made public.

Keyes' Home in Alaska

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The Alaska home of Israel Keyes and the shed on the right where he killed Samantha Koenig.

Recovering Samantha Koenig

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Divers at Matanuska Lake in Alaska recovered Samantha Koenig's body on April 2, 2012.

Keyes' Confession

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Assistant U.S. Attorney Frank Russo, left, with "48 Hours" correspondent Peter Van Sant in the conference room where Israel Keyes admitted to killing Samantha Koenig.

Bill and Lorraine Currier

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Bill and Lorraine Currier were chosen at random by Israel Keyes and abducted from their Essex, Vermont, home on June 8, 2011. They were taken to a farmhouse and murdered.

The Curriers

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A photo of Bill and Lorraine Currier with yellow ribbon draped on a tree was posted outside of their home in Essex, Vermont. The photo was taken on December 29, 2011, when the fate of the Curriers was still a mystery.

Currier Crime Scene

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Broken glass from the interior garage door where Israel Keyes broke into the Currier's home in Vermont. Photos were taken by investigators on June 10 and 11, 2011.

Currier Crime Scene

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Investigators examine the broken glass at the Currier home in Essex, Vermont.

A "Kill Cache" Recovered

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What Israel Keyes called a "kill cache" is seen buried at the Blake Falls Reservoir in Adirondack Park in Parishville, New York. Keyes would bury caches with weapons and tools across the country. Whenever Keyes got the urge to kill, he would dig up a cache he had buried years prior and retrieve the murder weapons to commit his crimes.

Keyes' Kill Kit

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A Home Depot bucket filled with weapons and tools recovered from the Blake Falls Reservoir in Adirondack Park in Parishville, New York. The FBI believes Keyes buried caches like this throughout the U.S. If a member of the public finds one, the FBI says do not touch it. Call the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or visithttps://www.fbi.gov/tips.

"Kill Cache" Weapons

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From left, FBI Special Agents Katherine Nelson and Jolene Goeden and "48 Hours" correspondent Peter Van Sant look at weapons recovered from Keyes' kill kits or caches at the FBI Field Office in Anchorage, Alaska.

Julie Harris

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Julie Harris was 12 years old when she disappeared from Colville, Washington, on March 3, 1996. She was a double amputee whose prosthetic feet were found by the Colville River a month after her disappearance. Israel Keyes, then 18, lived in the area at the time. Julie's murder is still unsolved.

In the Military

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Israel Keyes in 1999 at the Air Assault School graduation, Fort Lewis, Washington. Keyes was enlisted in the U.S. Army from July 9, 1998 through July 8, 2001.

Keyes' Boat in Washington

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FBI Special Agent Ted Halla and Peter Van Sant at Lake Crescent in Washington State. The FBI believes Israel Keyes killed four people in Washington. "He had a boat. We know that he took it out on this lake… along with some of the other lakes in the area. He revealed to us that one of the Washington State victims was actually -- their body was sunk in this particular lake," Halla explained.

Tracking Keyes' Travels

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FBI Special Agent Katherine Nelson and Peter Van Sant look at a timeline of Israel Keyes' travel activity from 1997 to 2012. Investigators believe it's possible there may be victims everywhere he traveled during that time.

Debra Feldman

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The FBI believes Debra Feldman is the fourth known victim of Israel Keyes. Feldman was last seen alive on April 8, 2009 at her residence in Hackensack, New Jersey. At the time of her disappearance she was 49 years old. Investigators are still trying to identify Keyes' remaining seven victims.

A Suicide Note

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A note found in Israel Keyes cell on December 1, 2012. Investigators say it's full of rants, but gives no information on his crimes or other victims.

Remembering the Victims

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A memorial plaque dedicated to Samantha Koenig and all of Keyes' other victims, located on a gazebo at Matanuska Lake in Alaska.

"This case is about them and their lives and the lives that they have not been able to live and the families who no longer have them there," said FBI Special Agent Jolene Goeden. "That's what this case is about. It's not about him. I try not to focus on him.

To report tips about the Israel Keyes case, call 1-800-CALL-FBI or visithttps://www.fbi.gov/tips.

Solving the murders of Israel Keyes (2024)

FAQs

Was the zodiac ever solved? ›

Though "the Zodiac" was never caught and the official investigation remains open, public interest has remained high. Countless theories have gained traction over the years, pointing a finger at various men who share physical markers or specific interests with the famed killer.

Where did Israel Keyes get his money? ›

As calculating as he was cruel, Keyes typically traveled to different locations to select victims of opportunity rather than target a specific demographic. He buried weapons and other supplies ahead of time and financed his actions by working as a contractor and robbing banks.

Did Israel Keyes have children? ›

He claimed to not kill children or parents of children, primarily because of his daughter, whom he feared finding out about him and his crimes. However, police and FBI investigators were skeptical of this claim and suspected Keyes of killing several teenagers and children.

Why couldn t they find the Zodiac? ›

Multiple reasons, including: The killer known as Zodiac may have been several individuals and not a single one - If the police were looking for one person, if/when the killings were committed by several, then likelihood of catching ANYONE would be greatly reduced.

What was the zodiac killer's motive? ›

“Possible motives were to prove his superiority, get attention, control the investigation, create a terroristic climate, and relive the crimes via media reports,” McCrary said. McCrary also pointed to the killer's targeting of couples, which could mean he resented relationships.

How were Israel keyes caught? ›

How did Keyes get caught? Keyes was arrested in 2012 when authorities were investigating the disappearance of 18-year-old Samantha Koenig from Anchorage, Alaska. Keyes posted a ransom note and used Koenig's ATM card, which led police to Lufkin, Texas, where he was arrested.

How tall was Israel Keyes? ›

In 2012, Israel Keyes was 34 years old and described as 6'2” tall and 190 pounds.

Is there a movie about Israel Keyes? ›

How many victims did Keyes have? ›

Keyes was a serial killer from Alaska. He confessed to murdering eight people, though authorities believe he is responsible for 11 killings between 2001 and 2012.

How many banks did Israel Keyes rob? ›

While in custody, Keyes hinted to investigators that he kidnapped and murdered as many as 11 people, and robbed three banks – including one in Tupper Lake – to finance his killing spree.

Where was Israel Keyes in 2007? ›

March 1, 2007 to March 9, 2007: Keyes drove from Neah Bay, Washington to Anchorage, Alaska, where he resided until is his arrest. Keyes traveled the Alaska-Canadian Highway, making known stops in Cache Creek, British Columbia; Watson Lake, Yukon; Destruction Bay, Yukon; and Teslin, Yukon.

Has the FBI confirmed the zodiac killer? ›

The FBI has consistently rejected reports and conclusions that the case has been solved and told Fox News Digital in October 2021 that the case was still open.

Has anyone escaped the Zodiac Killer? ›

Mike Renault Mageau and Bryan Calvin Hartnell are the only two known survivors of the Zodiac. Mageau was conversing in a car with her co-worker, Darlene Ferrin, when the Zodiac shot and killed Ferrin. Mageau was shot four times and survived.

Did anyone survive the Zodiac? ›

Confirmed. Although the Zodiac claimed 37 murders in letters to the newspapers, investigators agree on only seven confirmed victims, two of whom survived. They are: David Arthur Faraday, 17, and Betty Lou Jensen, 16: shot and killed on December 20, 1968, on Lake Herman Road, within the city limits of Benicia.

Who is the real Zodiac Killer? ›

In October 2021, a team of 40 former law enforcement investigators called the Case Breakers, claimed to have identified the Zodiac Killer. They believed that Gary Francis Poste, who died in 2018, was responsible for the murders.

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