Quillette Podcast Catching a Serial Killer
Feb 26, 2026
Maureen Callaghan, investigative journalist and author of American Predator, delves into the hunt for Israel Keyes. She traces his childhood and early psychopathy. She outlines his meticulous kill kits, interstate methods, and double life as a contractor and father. She also reflects on investigative lessons, military training links, and the challenges of extracting truth from perpetrators.
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Surveillance Is A Hindrance Not A Barrier
- Modern surveillance makes serial killing harder, but determined predators can still evade detection.
- Keyes exploited gaps by turning phones off, avoiding cameras, and preplanning to stay under pervasive post-9/11 surveillance.
Early Animal Cruelty And Wilderness Training
- Keyes displayed early psychopathic behavior and learned survival skills young.
- He tortured animals, was kicked out at 16, then built his own log cabin and practiced staying motionless in woods for hours to stalk humans.
Kill Kits And Long Distance Hunting
- Israel Keyes used preburied kill kits and long-distance travel to avoid detection.
- He flew to hubs, rented cars, drove hundreds of miles to Home Depot buckets stocked with guns, zip ties, cash, and Drano to facilitate kills and conceal evidence.
