By Erica Morse
Editor-in-Chief, Victims News Online
Updated 12:30 a.m. EST, Jan. 18, 2013
@victimsnews1
(VNO) — New information was released by the FBI Wednesday indicating now-deceased serial killer Israel Keyes spent time in Texas just weeks prior to his March 2012 arrest.
The new details are part of an on-going investigation into potential additional victims, after Federal officials learned Keyes had utilized a rental car in Feb. 2012 in the lone star state. After Keyes’ arrest for the kidnapping and murder of Alaska barista Samantha Koenig, he admitted to possible other kidnappings and assaults, which the FBI now says took place between 2001 and March 2012, up until the time of his arrest. In Dec. 2012, just hours after meeting with officials to discuss other potential victims, Keyes reportedly committed suicide by cutting his wrists and strangling himself in an Anchorage, Alaska jail. The FBI is seeking the public’s assistance in locating anyone who may seen Keyes in Texas in Feb. 2012. Additionally, authorities are hoping to locate any person or persons who may have assisted Keyes in getting his rental car out of a muddy area in Lufkin, TX, between Feb. 12 and Feb. 16, 2012:
Based upon investigation conducted following his arrest in Texas during March 2012, Israel Keyes is believed to have committed multiple kidnappings and murders across the United States between 2001 and March 2012. Keyes is suspected to have specifically traveled through various cities in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex and the Glenrose, Texas areas during February 2012. In December 2012, Keyes committed suicide while in custody after being returned to Anchorage, Alaska. The FBI is now attempting to identify the extent of Keyes’ travels and activities and is seeking the public’s assistance specifically as it pertains to the following locations during the time period of February 12 through February 16, 2012:
Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex
Prior to his suicide, while in custody, Keyes admitted traveling through the cities of Azle, Aledo, and Cleburne, Texas, during February 2012. Investigators suspect Keyes’ rental vehicle became stuck in a muddy, rural area, possibly near Cleburne, Texas, between February 12 and 16, 2012. Investigators are seeking the identification of any person from whom Keyes may have obtained assistance or anyone having contact with Keyes or his vehicle during that time.
Glen Rose, Texas Area
Keyes is also suspected of visiting the Post Oak Cemetery in the Glen Rose, Texas area between February 12 and 16, 2012. Investigators are seeking the identification of any person having contact with Keyes or his vehicle during that time frame.
The new details sparked interest amongst many in the missing persons’ community, as advocates and volunteers nationwide began attempting to piece together possible additional victims of Keyes, after receiving the new information. Many who assist on cases in the state of Texas have been working overtime since the news broke Wednesday, hoping to bring closure to families of missing persons in the lone star state. Anyone with information is asked to call 1-800-CALL- FBI.