Last Podcast On The Left
Last Podcast On The Left
"Keys is actually more like Dennis Raider and that absolutely nobody suspected him as keys was a father of one who owned a successful Contracting business in Anchorage he built a jungle gym once Yeah, that's amazing and as we learned from about contractors when covering John Wayne Gacy they can do no wrong" — Marcus Parks
"But the thing was some people did suspect dead Bundy before he was caught yeah Keys is actually more like Dennis Raider and that absolutely nobody suspected him as keys was a father of one who owned a successful Contracting business in Anchorage" — Marcus Parks
"Israel Keys is the most You're not my dad of serial killers that I've ever seen" — Henry Zabrasky
This episode of The Last Podcast on the Left begins by introducing Israel Keys, a nomadic serial killer whose crimes spanned from 1996 to 2012, with the FBI estimating a higher body count than his confessed four victims. The hosts discuss Keys' background, noting his admiration for Ted Bundy's ability to live a double life, but distinguishing Keys from Bundy by his lack of suspicion from those around him, more akin to Dennis Rader (BTK). His seemingly normal life as a contracting business owner in Anchorage is contrasted with his predatory nature. The discussion then shifts to Keys' affinity for new metal music, drawing parallels between the genre's aggression and emotionality and Keys' own perceived personality, describing him as the "new metal serial killer." His upbringing in a fundamentalist Christian identity movement church, which held anti-Semitic views, is explored as a potential influence on his detachment and sense of superiority. The episode touches upon his early acts of rebellion, including declaring himself an atheist and his mother's opposition to vaccines, and his eventual expulsion from home.
The narrative progresses to detail Keys' early criminal tendencies, including a disturbing incident where he shot a cat. His enlistment in the army is examined, with the hosts suggesting it was motivated by a desire to spite his parents and engage with the "machine" he outwardly rebelled against, though his military service was largely uneventful. A significant turning point appears to be his relationship with Tammy Hawkins, whom he married after she became pregnant and he ended a previous engagement. His time in the military and subsequent marriage are presented as a period where his criminal urges intensified. The episode highlights his nomadic lifestyle, his use of "kill kits" hidden across the country, and his meticulous planning, which involved renting cars, traveling to different states, and hiding bodies in remote locations to complicate investigations. The podcast emphasizes his calculated approach, often using fishing or other activities as alibis and excuses to be in certain areas.
The hosts detail Keys' criminal activities, including bank robberies that often followed his murders, and his use of disguises. A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to the brutal double homicide of Bill and Lorraine Courier in Vermont, recounting the crime scene details and Keys' methodical execution of the murders. The narrative explores his use of drain cleaner to dispose of bodies and his apparent enjoyment of the planning and execution phases, a stark contrast to more impulsive killers. The episode concludes by setting up the continuation of Israel Keys' story in the next part, emphasizing the FBI's ongoing efforts to uncover the full extent of his crimes and the complexity of his psychological profile.