Killer At Large

David Keeffe

On the evening of Nov. 17, 2006, David, 56, and Carol, 60, were shot at point-blank range in an attached garage of their Athens, Penn., home. The two victims were driving separate vehicles on the evening of the shooting, but authorities believe they arrived home within minutes of each another. According to a source close to the investigation, Carol was shot first from behind, whereas David was shot facing his killer. Authorities have not yet released the autopsy report but according to the death certificates, both David and Carol died from "multiple gunshot wounds to the head."

Carol Keeffe

David and Carol's bodies were not found until two days after the shooting. It was only after their adult daughter, Melissa Keeffe, concerned by her inability to contact them, began a search that the crime scene was discovered. When questioned by the authorities, neighbors said they did not recall hearing any gunshots, but, with hunting season underway, probably would not have taken special notice of such sounds.

Athens Police Department

In the days following the murders, a joint task force was assembled at the Athens Police Department, consisting of local officers, investigators from the North Towanda State Police barracks and the Bradford County District Attorney's Office. In order to focus their resources, the decision was made to convert the second floor of the Athens police department into a temporary command center to investigate the murders.

Approximately one month after the murders, Crime Library Executive Editor Marilyn Bardsley sent senior investigative reporter David Lohr to Athens to look into the case. While there, Lohr interviewed several people who had known David Keeffe personally. Some had hired his services in the past, and others simply knew him as a respected man-about-town.

"I've never met a lawyer who was so willing to help someone, even if they didn't have a penny to pay him," one said.