Samantha Koenig (Source: Koenig family)LUFKIN, TX (KTRE) -
An Alaska man whom East Texas
authorities brought into custody last march for the murder of an 18- year-old
missing Alaska girl is now dead. Federal officials have confirmed that Israel Keyes
killed himself in a federal prison over the weekend.
Keyes was arrested during a
routine traffic stop in Lufkin on March 13th. East Texas News has learned that
Keyes was linked to seven cases involving the murders of eight people in four
different states.
"Today, we held a press
conference at the US Attorney's Office confirming that Israel Keyes, who was in
custody for the murder of Samantha Koenig, was the confessed killer of Bill and
Lorraine Currier of Essex Junction, Vermont," T.J. Donavan, the state attorney
of Chittenden County, Vermont, said. "Keyes abducted and murdered the Curriers
in June 2011."
Donavan said it took a lot of
work from officials in several different states is grateful for the role Texas
law enforcement officials.
"Law enforcement across the
country worked well together, and this is a case that is frankly of national
significance given the statements there may be other victims out there,"
Donavan said.
Last March, the parking lot of the Cotton
Patch restaurant in Lufkin became a part of a nationwide hunt for Keyes.
Keyes was on the run from officials after
he killed 18-year-old Samantha Koenig. Local Texas Department of Public Safety
troopers and US officials were in on the arrest. Since that time Keyes has been
held in federal custody in Alaska.
That was until this weekend when he committed
suicide. His suicide came after he admitted to more murders.
"The family
drafted a statement requesting that their privacy be respected and their
gratitude to the community for their support in this difficult time," Donavan
said.
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