Digest

This podcast delves into the life and crimes of Israel Keys, a serial killer who confessed to three murders but is suspected of having many more victims. The podcasters, Josh Hallmark, Dakota, and Joshua, investigate Keys' crimes and attempt to identify his unknown victims. They discuss his modus operandi, including his preference for specific types of homes and his tendency to travel extensively to commit crimes. The podcasters also explore Keys' use of hidden caches, which he used to store weapons and materials for abduction and murder. They discuss the details of the Courier case, where Keys claimed to have chosen the victims based on their house rather than targeting them specifically. The podcasters also examine Keys' interactions with law enforcement, particularly his preference for female investigators. They discuss his confessions and the conflicting aspects of his psyche, highlighting his desire for control and his simultaneous excitement to talk about his crimes. The podcast concludes with a discussion of Keys' suicide in prison, including the circumstances surrounding his death and the writings he left behind. The podcasters speculate on the potential motives behind his suicide and the possibility of additional victims.

Outlines

00:00:00

Introduction and Overview of Israel Keys Case

The podcast introduces Israel Keys, a deceased serial killer, and the ongoing mystery surrounding his potential additional victims. The episode features Josh Hallmark, host of True Crime Bullshit, and Dakota and Joshua from Somewhere in the Pines, who are dedicated to locating Keys' hidden caches.

00:01:53

Israel Keys' Apprehension and Confessions

The episode delves into the details of Keys' apprehension in Texas, his confessions to three murders, and his claims of additional victims. The discussion highlights the expansive nature of his crimes, spanning across multiple states.

00:03:22

The Podcasters' Background and Research

The podcasters introduce themselves and their respective podcasts, highlighting their focus on investigating Keys' crimes and identifying his unknown victims. They discuss their research methods, including interviews with law enforcement and experts.

00:04:24

Israel Keys' Modus Operandi and Rules

The episode explores Keys' modus operandi, including his preference for specific types of homes and his tendency to travel extensively to commit crimes. The podcasters discuss the rules Keys claimed to follow, such as never abducting someone from his own backyard, and how he often deviated from these rules.

00:13:14

The Bill and Lorraine Courier Case and Israel Keys' Rules and Planning

The podcasters discuss the details of the Courier case, including Keys' claim that he chose the victims based on their house rather than targeting them specifically. They explore the possibility that Keys may have stalked the couple prior to their abduction. The episode delves into Keys' rules for committing crimes, including his preference for single-story homes with garages and his strategy of planning crimes in conjunction with his travels. The podcasters discuss how Keys was more meticulous in his planning than in the execution of his crimes.

00:19:10

Stalking Victims, Location Selection, and Hidden Murder Kits (Caches)

The podcasters discuss whether Keys stalked his victims, exploring the possibility that he focused more on finding suitable locations than on specific individuals. They share insights from interviews with law enforcement and experts who believe Keys did not stalk his victims. The episode explains the concept of caches and how Keys used them to store weapons and materials for abduction and murder. The podcasters discuss the cache found in Essex, Vermont, and its connection to the Courier case.

00:27:50

Israel Keys' Evolution and Adaptation, Interactions with Law Enforcement, and Confessions and Psyche

The podcasters discuss the evolution of Keys' methods, particularly his choice of containers for his caches. They highlight how Keys learned and adapted his strategies over time to achieve his goals. The episode explores Keys' interactions with law enforcement, particularly his preference for female investigators. The podcasters discuss how Keys developed a rapport with Detective Monique Dahl and how he was more candid with her than with male investigators. The podcasters discuss the complexities of Keys' confessions and the conflicting aspects of his psyche. They highlight his desire for control and his simultaneous excitement to talk about his crimes.

00:41:46

Israel Keys' Suicide and Final Writings, Contraband in Prisons and Israel Keys' Suicide, and Motives for Suicide

The episode details Keys' suicide in prison, including the circumstances surrounding his death and the writings he left behind. The podcasters discuss the significance of the word \"caracol\" written on the cell wall and the content of his suicide note. The podcasters discuss the security protocols in the prison where Keys was incarcerated and how his suicide highlights the potential for contraband in prisons. They explore the possibility that Keys gained access to the items he needed to commit suicide. The podcasters discuss the potential motives behind Keys' suicide, including his desire to avoid further interrogation and his fear of being in prison. They also explore the possibility that he knew he would be giving up more information the longer he remained incarcerated.

00:51:26

Possible Victims and the Number of Victims

The podcasters discuss the possibility of additional victims and speculate on the total number of people Keys may have killed. They explore the significance of the 11 skulls drawn by Keys and the potential for more victims beyond those identified by the FBI.

Keywords

Q&A

• How was Israel Keys apprehended, and what led to his confession?

  Keys was apprehended in Texas after using a missing woman's debit card at ATMs. He confessed to three murders, including the abduction and murder of Samantha Koenig in Alaska and the murders of Bill and Lorraine Courier in Vermont.

• What are the key rules that Israel Keys claimed to follow when committing crimes?

  Keys claimed to never abduct someone from his own backyard, to immediately leave the area after committing a crime, and to plan his crimes in conjunction with his travels. However, he often deviated from these rules.

• What is the significance of the hidden caches that Israel Keys used?

  Keys' caches were hidden containers of weapons and materials used for abduction and murder. They were strategically placed across the United States, allowing him to retrieve them at a later date for use in his crimes.

• Why did Israel Keys seem to prefer female investigators?

  Keys developed a rapport with Detective Monique Dahl, a female investigator in Alaska, and was more candid with her than with male investigators. This may have been due to his comfort level with women, as he was raised in a household with nine women.

• What are the conflicting aspects of Israel Keys' psyche, as revealed in his confessions?

  Keys exhibited a desire for control and a simultaneous excitement to talk about his crimes. He often contradicted himself and seemed torn between his internal desires and his need for control.

• What are the key details surrounding Israel Keys' suicide?

  Keys was found dead in his cell with a razor blade attached to a pencil, which he used to slit his wrists. He also attempted to hang himself with his sheets. He left behind a suicide note and a message written in blood on the cell wall, which included the word \"caracol.\""

• How many victims do you think Israel Keys had, and what evidence supports your theory?

  The podcasters speculate that Keys may have had between 15 and 25 victims, based on his confessions, the number of skulls he drew, and the possibility of additional victims not yet identified. They believe that more information will eventually reveal a pattern in his crimes, leading to a more accurate estimate of his victim count.

Show Notes