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Fugitive Wanted For Elderly Couple's 'Brutal' Double Homicide Arrested In Florida
Christopher Keeley is a suspect in the murders of Carl and Vicki Mattson, who were found "bludgeoned and stabbed" in their Massachusetts home.
A man wanted in connection with a double murder in Massachusetts was captured in Florida.
Christopher Keeley, 27, was arrested Friday in Miami Beach on suspicion of murdering married couple Carl and Vicki Mattson, both 70, according to the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office. The victims were found “bludgeoned and stabbed” Tuesday evening at their Marshfield, Massachusetts home following requests for a welfare check.
A postmortem examination has yet to determine an official cause and manner of death, as well as when they were killed. Relatives reportedly hadn’t seen the couple since the Thanksgiving holiday, according to the Patriot Ledger.
Keeley – who was quickly named as a person of interest in the case – was arrested Friday evening at around 8:20 p.m. near 925 West 41st Street in Miami Beach, according to authorities. NBC News reported Keeley’s arrest came after he allegedly attempted to attack someone with a hammer.
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Plymouth County officials previously reported the Mattsons’ family dog, Baily, missing, with several social media and dog rescue sites pleading for the dog’s safe return, according to Fox Boston affiliate WFXT. In their latest update the District Attorney's office said a dog was later located dead in the Mattson's home and a "veterinary follow-up is being conducted."
District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz called the “brutal” murders a “targeted attack.”
Jail records reviewed by Oxygen.com show Keeley was booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Facility in Miami on fugitive charges, where he awaits extradition to Massachusetts.
A booking photo shows the suspect’s hair dyed red, confirming the beliefs of Marshfield Police Chief Phillip A. Tavares, who mentioned the possibility of Keeley dying his hair last week as authorities embarked on the manhunt.
Police were called to the victims’ Marshfield home – about 30 miles south of Boston – on Tuesday at around 9:19 p.m. An alleged friend of Keeley reported he’d stayed at the Mattsons’ residence as a favor to the family but was recently asked to leave.
The reporting witness said Keeley and the couple previously argued over a dog’s barking.
The couple’s son, Jeffrey Mattson, confirmed with WFXT reporters that Keeley was staying with his parents.
The witness said Keeley was known to carry knives and had allegedly expressed a desire to hurt the Mattsons – and possibly others – out of fear of becoming homeless.
When law enforcement arrived at the Marshfield residence, the Mattsons were “bludgeoned and stabbed” with apparent signs of a struggle, including an overturned bookcase. District Attorney Cruz stated there were “obvious signs of trauma.”
A "be on the lookout" alert (BOLO) was issued for Keeley, as was the description of a 2019 black Jeep Wrangler, which he was believed to be driving. During a press conference, Cruz stated the Jeep was driven from the Mattsons’ home, but didn't indicate whether he vehicle belonged to the murdered couple.
The vehicle was found Wednesday, about 20 miles west of Marshfield, according to the recent release from the district attorney’s office.
It remains to be seen how and why Keeley traveled to Florida.
Keeley – whom Cruz stated might be living with “mental health issues” – has a criminal history in multiple counties, according to court documents obtained by WFXT. In 2016, Keeley was charged with assaulting a 21-year-old man with autism who was kicked and hit with a bottle before the assailant fled with the victim’s phone and wallet.
Other criminal charges include felony breaking and entering, malicious damage to a motor vehicle, domestic assault and battery, and multiple drug offenses.
Keeley also once lived in a sober house in Quincy, the Boston outlet reported.
Last week, prior to Keeley’s arrest, the suspect’s family issued a statement through a Quincy, Massachusetts-based attorney Kathleen Fay, according to the Patriot Ledger.
“The Mass. State Police have been given the full cooperation of Mr. Keeley’s family. The events that are alleged to have occurred are shocking and truly devastating to all involved,” Fay stated. “Our hearts go out to the entire Mattson family for their unspeakable loss. At this point in time, the Keeley family respectfully requests that members of the media please respect their privacy as they begin to process this senseless tragedy.”
Keeley is expected to appear at a hearing in Florida to determine whether he’ll waive extradition, according to the district attorney’s office. Records show he is being held without bond.
