Holly MatkinMiami Beach, FL – The alleged killer accused of brutally beating and stabbing a 70-year-old couple to death in their Massachusetts home last week was apprehended in Florida on Friday night.
Christopher Keeley, 27, was wanted out of Marshfield, Massachusetts, in connection with the murders of Carl and Vicki Mattson, NBC News reported.
Police discovered the Mattsons’ bodies at their home at approximately 9:19 p.m. on Nov. 29 after they were asked to conduct a welfare check at 75 Gotham Hill Drive, Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz’s office said statement on Saturday.
“Upon arrival, Marshfield Police officers discovered the bodies of a male and female victim with obvious signs of trauma,” Cruz said.
Both victims had been “bludgeoned and stabbed,” according to the district attorney.
They were pronounced dead at the scene.
Cruz said a dog missing from the Mattsons’ home was also found dead.
According to court documents, there were signs of a struggle inside the house, including a bookcase that had been overturned, CBS News reported.
The Marshfield Police Department (MPD) worked with the Massachusetts State Police (MSP) Detective Unit assigned to Cruz’s office and ended up honing in on Keeley as a person of interest in the double homicide.
The MSP issued a BOLO for Keeley on Nov. 30.
They noted he was possibly driving a black 2019 Jeep Wrangler.
The vehicle belonged to the victims, CBS News reported.
The MSP, @Marshfield_PD & @PlymouthCtyDAO are seeking CHRISTOPHER KEELEY, 27, in connection with a double homicide discovered late last night in Marshfield. Anyone info should call 911; or MSP at 774-434-5999; or Marshfield PD at 774-380-4289. More here: https://t.co/3MMZu9oznx pic.twitter.com/1hV3IvJsCC
— Mass State Police (@MassStatePolice) November 30, 2022
Miami Beach Police Department (MBPD) officers located Keeley in the area of 925 West 41st Street at approximately 8:20 p.m. on Dec. 2, Cruz’s office confirmed.
Miami Beach is approximately 1,500 miles away from the scene of the double homicide.
He was arrested as an out-of-state fugitive, NBC News reported.
Investigators have recovered the unoccupied Jeep Wrangler, according to Cruz.
Keeley’s arrest came shortly after he allegedly attacked another man with a hammer, NBC News reported.
Police said the suspect had dyed his hair red in an attempt to disguise himself.
Cruz said that the double homicide appeared to be a targeted attack, but few other details have been released, NBC News reported.
Investigators were also still working to determine when the Mattsons were killed.
The motive for the brutal murders was not immediately released.
I’m in Marshfield, scene of the brutal double homicide of Carl and Vicki Mattson. Nationwide search now for suspect, 27 yr old Christopher Keeley. The couple’s Jeep found today in Walmart parking lot in Avon. Keeley family says it is cooperating with police.
More @boston25 6P pic.twitter.com/2cZY6F2M9n— Bob Ward Boston 25 (@Bward3) November 30, 2022
Keeley was allegedly friends with the Mattsons’ son and had been living with them for several months, the couple’s neighbors told NBC News.
One of Keeley’s friends called police for the welfare check after the friend learned that the couple had recently asked Keeley to move out.
Keeley allegedly told a friend that he attacked the Mattsons during an argument about a barking dog, CBS News reported.
The friend said Keeley had been acting “psychotic” lately and that he confessed he was feeling an urge to hurt the Mattsons and other people, according to court documents.
The suspect was also allegedly known to carry knives.
Keeley was arrested at the age of 18 on a malicious damage to motor vehicle charge after he got into a fight with his grandmother over a phone charger and then smashed out the window of her car, the New York Post reported.
He was arrested again in 2016 for plotting with others to attack and assault an autistic man and stealing his wallet and phone, according to the news outlet.
A judge sentenced him to 18 months at a house of corrections over that incident.
Keeley was recently charged with drug offenses after police allegedly found him in possession of Xanax and marijuana during a traffic stop, the New York Post reported.
The suspect will face an extradition hearing in Florida before he is returned to Massachusetts.
