Vanessa Richardson

Before we get into this story, amongst the many sources we used, we found the book American Predator by Maureen Callahan and our interview with Josh Hallmark, host of True Crime Bullshit, extremely helpful to our research. The audiobook edition of American Predator is available for Spotify Premium subscribers in our audiobook catalog, where you can check it out after listening to this episode.

Before we get into this story, amongst the many sources we used, we found the book American Predator by Maureen Callahan and our interview with Josh Hallmark, host of True Crime Bullshit, extremely helpful to our research. The audiobook edition of American Predator is available for Spotify Premium subscribers in our audiobook catalog, where you can check it out after listening to this episode.

We all change how we act, compartmentalize, hide pieces of ourselves as we move through different spaces. In that sense, Israel Keyes was no different than the rest of us. But none of us are born examining our actions in real time, guessing what others are thinking about us. That's learned.

We all change how we act, compartmentalize, hide pieces of ourselves as we move through different spaces. In that sense, Israel Keyes was no different than the rest of us. But none of us are born examining our actions in real time, guessing what others are thinking about us. That's learned.

He's spoken to many of Israel's friends and loved ones, as well as eyewitnesses, FBI agents who've worked Israel's case and some of the world's most prominent criminal psychologists. He's talking about a turning point in Israel's childhood.

He's spoken to many of Israel's friends and loved ones, as well as eyewitnesses, FBI agents who've worked Israel's case and some of the world's most prominent criminal psychologists. He's talking about a turning point in Israel's childhood.

He watched as the cat died.

He watched as the cat died.

Those friends never talked to Israel again, which taught him two lessons.

Those friends never talked to Israel again, which taught him two lessons.

So for the next 20 years, the world only knew the side of Israel he curated. He grew up as the second oldest of 10 siblings in a family who lived off-grid, no heat or electricity, no access to public schooling or modern medicine. They didn't trust government oversight and hunted for their own food. Israel in particular developed a love of hunting.

So for the next 20 years, the world only knew the side of Israel he curated. He grew up as the second oldest of 10 siblings in a family who lived off-grid, no heat or electricity, no access to public schooling or modern medicine. They didn't trust government oversight and hunted for their own food. Israel in particular developed a love of hunting.

The family moved often, first from Utah to Washington, then Oregon, New York, Maine, usually relocating for their faith.

The family moved often, first from Utah to Washington, then Oregon, New York, Maine, usually relocating for their faith.

At some point, the family attended a church affiliated with a racist anti-Semitic version of Christian identity theology. According to the book American Predator by Maureen Callahan, the family's evolving religious beliefs caused problems for Israel. Socially and romantically, he felt shame over his crushes, hid his relationships with girls. In his late teens, he rejected religion.

At some point, the family attended a church affiliated with a racist anti-Semitic version of Christian identity theology. According to the book American Predator by Maureen Callahan, the family's evolving religious beliefs caused problems for Israel. Socially and romantically, he felt shame over his crushes, hid his relationships with girls. In his late teens, he rejected religion.

Israel and his family essentially severed ties, though he stayed in contact with his mother and sister over the years. Left to his own devices, Israel was resourceful. He had already built his own cabin and fixed an old pickup truck. He branched off on his own. And you could say he flourished. He enlisted in the army at 20, traveled the country, was stationed in Egypt for a bit.

Israel and his family essentially severed ties, though he stayed in contact with his mother and sister over the years. Left to his own devices, Israel was resourceful. He had already built his own cabin and fixed an old pickup truck. He branched off on his own. And you could say he flourished. He enlisted in the army at 20, traveled the country, was stationed in Egypt for a bit.

He was generally liked and respected as a soldier. He held down jobs and relationships. He spent three years in the military before being honorably discharged, then moved to the Macaw Reservation in Washington to live with a girlfriend he'd met online. And in 2002, the couple welcomed a daughter.

He was generally liked and respected as a soldier. He held down jobs and relationships. He spent three years in the military before being honorably discharged, then moved to the Macaw Reservation in Washington to live with a girlfriend he'd met online. And in 2002, the couple welcomed a daughter.