:mad: This one is a difficult one for me, Now it has been about 19 years and this case still has no new leads. no suspects **** no cooperation from the authorities, there needs to be a renewed interest in this case. I am not sure if many of you remember this case.. I have noticed that there is not one single thread on it or mention of it on this forum.. It is featured on Unsolved Mysteries every now and again..

It is the Case of Keith Warren he was a 19-year-old Black high school graduate in Maryland's wealthiest county. In July of 1986, the body of 19-year-old Warren was found hanging from a sapling in a wooded area adjacent to his Aspen Hill neighborhood. According to the family, the case was never fully investigated, and despite the suspicious evidence, it was dismissed by local authorities as a suicide. The family was not notified of the death until after the body had been turned over to a funeral home for embalming. now this is really strange because these decisions are left up to the family to make unless things were different back then.. I am not sure I was only 6 but damn that is enough to say that the authorities were up to no good. Despite the efforts of his mother, Mary Couey, and his sister, Sherri Warren, no action has been taken during the past ten years to solve the chilling crime my every instinct tells me this was cold blooded murder!!! I believe one year after the murder the family gets sent police photos of Keith Hanging in the tree but no police official will go on record and say where these photos came from. But the odd part is they depict Keith Hanging in the tree but the clothes he had on in the photo where different then what he had on that day and different then what the family received back as the personal affects. Really odd Again another clue that the police was somehow involved. then there is the witness also was found dead under peculiar circumstances. He told neighbors that he had information about the crime. The family had the remains exhumed and autopsied, which revealed high levels of lethal toxicants not used during the normal embalming process. A forensic pathologist disputed the claim that the death was a suicide in that the chemicals would have deprived Warren of the ability to hang himself in the tree.. This case gets no exposure not the exposure it deserves!!!

This case gets no exposure not the exposure it deserves!!!

Mr. Clairvoyant, you are not alone in the belief that any given case gets little or no exposure. I have heard of other situations in which someone was angry or frustrated about the media's inability or (more than likely) unwillingness to present an important case.

One such example is America's Most Wanted host John Walsh. He was frustrated when national media outlets initially refused to air the story of his son Adam's disappearance (before his remains were found), dismissing such a case as "local". (Ultimately, the ABC show Good Morning America agreed to do the story, and a few hours after he appeared on that show, his son was confirmed dead.) This would not be the only time he experienced such a frustrating situation.

As he discussed in his book Public Enemies, he spent months trying to get as many national media outlets as possible to help track a serial killer known as the Railroad Killer (who was later identified as Angel Maturino Resendez). But everyone turned him down, saying that the case was local...even though the killer had already committed murders in at least two states (including Texas and Kentucky). They eventually reconsidered, and featured the story, and the killer was finally caught. But if they had agreed to do the story when they were first asked, the killer would probably have been caught sooner.

While the media can be an effective tool in situations like this, there are, unfortunately, people in the industry who try to find an excuse not to do such important or urgent stories. Such people can be apathetic and/or one-sided. In fact, they can be one-sided enough to glorify murderers, and step on the rights and feelings of the victims and victims' surviving loved ones. Such backward behavior is bound to anger you, but it is an appalling fact. It's also the kind of behavior that you have to watch out for.

yeah I guess you are right but a case likes this should gather some attention from the FBI don't you think there are a lot of strange circumstances surrounding this case!

yeah I guess you are right but a case likes this should gather some attention from the FBI don't you think there are a lot of strange circumstances surrounding this case!

I agree with you 100%. There are cases (including the Keith Warren case)that need more media exposure. That would be using common sense. And it gets very frustrating when common sense is not used when it should be.

This case always seemed so sad besides the obvious case of Keith's death but the refusal of the cooperation from the police to investigate it. Like Keith's mother said at the end of the segment, they are still being faught to reopen the case. All the time is being spent on that instead of trying to find out what really happened to Keith.

I can't imagine the pain the Warren family has to go through every day knowing that they are pretty much on their own in this tragedy and will get no help from the authorities. :(

This case has always bugged me. First and foremost, the ending of a young person's life is never easy. The whole odd death of his friend, the one with some sort of information to tell Keith's mom, was a little too suspicious and "convenient." Luckily, UM chose to air the story. Hopefully the Waren Family will one day get answers to the case and find an ounce of closure....:(

I truly believe the hanging was done by a police official and there is reason to believe that it may have something to do with it being a hate crime!!

That's a case where you need a local investigative reporter, preferably on television, who is willing to put his career (and perhaps life) on the line and make a persistent pest of himself/herself. Get that case in the local spotlight and don't let go. Eventually that forces the police involved to confront and answer the tough questions they obviously want to avoid.

Perhaps that is not a bad Idea.. infact that is a great idea

I noticed something while watching the Keith Warren case on UM today. When the mother and sister receive the mysterious packet of photos, it has a note attached saying that Keith's acquaintance Mark Findley was next. However, when they show the dramatization of finding the note, it has another name written on it as well, just partially covered. So the note says some thing like, "Don't worry, Mark Findley and Le...... are next."

So my question is, who is "Le....", is he still alive, how is he attached to the case, and why didn't they mention him? One guess is that he/she is still alive and they're protecting his/her identity.

The other thing if find strange is that it could not have been a helpful person inside the police department who sent the packet. It was probably somebody who was involved in the alleged murders. But how would they get ahold of official police crime scene photos?? This is truly one of the strangest cases featured on UM, and it's obvious there are people out there who know the entire truth.

You are so right nohwjeregirl.. it is rather a strange one which why I don't understand why it did not make the box set for Bizarre Murders.. Second you are right about the name thing I noticed that too and yet Unsolved Mysteries never really elaborated on this other person is.. that could have been for legal reasons, maybe they were able to get in touch with the person to get there consent on naming them as a potential victim of a crime.. Then again maybe the person is some type of witness program and there identity can't be revealed! either way this case really does not get the exposure it deserves!!!

Yes I was thinking about the third unnamed individual as well today when I watched. I wonder if any harm has ever came to him.

What do you guys make of the toxic chemicals in his system? Do you think it was something he inhaled intentionally (you hear about kids doing that in the news sometimes) or do you think someone made him inhale or injest it to render him unconscious so they could hang him in the tree?

My thoughts are that he was made to injest the chemicals to either kill him or knock him out to put him in the tree.. that is my theory too Crys

If he had just been huffing glue and accidentally died, I don't think there would be any reason for a cover-up or any kind of sinister packages mailed to his family.

There have to be rumors that went around about shady people Keith might have been involved with. I just feel like so much was left out of the segment either on purpose or otherwise. It's hard to really get a feel for what went on. As frustrated as I am, I can't even imagine what Keith's family is going through.

I'm just going to throw this out there....
What if Keith was some kind of informant? Would the police have any reason to cover up his murder or sabotage the investigation?

There have to be rumors that went around about shady people Keith might have been involved with. I just feel like so much was left out of the segment either on purpose or otherwise. ?

I would bet that the investigators working on the case were too one-sided to share additional (and potentially contradictory) info with either UM or any other media outlet.

As for the unknown person that was being targeted, I think the name was kept from the public for security purposes. Otherwise, he might have been put in more danger than he was already in. I guess it was a situation where it was better to be safe than sorry.

Again I have set out to find some new info on this case and to no avail.. I am sure the family has to be past fustrated by now. the total lack of support I can't imagine loosing a loved one under those type of circumstances. and not knowing what truly happened to them. Death is hard enough to deal with but let alone to have your loved on taken from you in a murder.. well my search will continue for any new developments in this case...

I have thought about this case so many times. It is all shady!! Someone needs to go interview people all over again, it has been years and people may be more willing to talk. By this I mean, young people are usually pretty good about keeping things on the low and his friends should all be having families and kids of their own by now..... I am sure they heard something. It always bothered me too about his friend getting killed, it was all pretty strange.

I speak on behalf of the family and want to say thank you for your concern. As of 01/09 there is no new developments with the case. I would like to clarify a few things;

1. it took police 6hrs to notify his mother of his death. The detective went to the neighbors house told the neighbor to call the mother and have the mother call him.

2. the first paramedic who arrived on scene said that he immediately knew it was a staged hanging and was not touching the body until police arrived. this is a medically trained individual who from first site knew that the hanging was staged. He waited until the police arrived and thought to himself because the responding officer was black that Keith would get justice. The officer and detective released him from the scene. Only until later when he saw the story on UM did he contact the family to give his account.

3. it took 3 attempts by Keith's uncle to identify the body. The first attempt he was asked to leave the funeral home because they were closed for business ( once keith's mother was notified she had to be sedated and her family in North Carolina was called and they drove up that same night). The uncle was told that there was so much decomposition that there should be a closed casket, however as see by the pictures there is and was no decomposition. The second attempt during business hours the next day he was told he needed the mother or father, Keith's father was in NC and his mother was sedated. The third attempt Keith's mother had to be dragged in and once the funeral had her they pushed several papers infront of her to sign. They then told the uncle to take her home and bring back clothing for the body. Now be mindful that no one from the next of kin had id the body. It took 3 trip and 24hrs to id the body.

4. The medical examiner (at that time) has since admitted that he did not examine the body directly however did take the information over the phone.

5. The detective released the body to the funeral home of his choice

6. The tree that was cut down was later destroyed in a warehouse fire

7. the date of death do sent match on the police report and the death certificate

8. From the autopsy that was funded by the family it was noted that Keith had so many chemical at such high amounts in his system (keep in mind this is several years after his death) that he would not have had the physical or mental capability to tie a rope around two trees and jump off another object.

these are just a few of the issues the family has to deal with. This is Montgomery County at its finest!

Geeze this rerun today caused a lot of stirs. To me, I find the behaviour demonstrated by the Police to be similar to the Ramsey's situation; in which the police did an inadequate attempt to actually help the family.


It's obvious that keith was murdered and it's possible there is a police connection due to the police's stubborn behaviour towards this case.

But remember the other segments in which parents insisted their dead child did NOT committ suicide but was murdered? gthe police treated them ina similar manner, "grieving parent's in denial of their child's suicide". I think Police think that if there is not sufficent evidence at the scene of the crime that does link away from the suicide theory, the police just assume and believe it's a suicide. Case closed to them.

As much as i hate what has happpened to Keith Warren. Let me play devil's advocate and say there may be a rational and good reason why this murder was covered up. (ALL apologies to the family of Keith Warren. It is not my intention to offend)

I wonder if Keith's murder crossed over into a massive narcotics investigation.

If it was, it's possible that in order to catch the larger fish, they had to let this murder pass so that the narcotics ring didn;t clean up or disband.

I know this has happened several times in large city criminal investigations and in some Cosa Nostra investigations.

Is it possible that Keith could have been an informant on some level and was killed for snitching?

Is it possible that Keith could have been an informant on some level and was killed for snitching?

That's been my thought since I first saw the case. Keith somehow became an informant, and that's why he was killed. As for Mark Findlay, I think he also was an informant, but they didn't uncover he was an informant till he decided to come clean, and tell everything about Keith Warren's murder.

I'm glad this case is being discussed, because it has stayed with me since I first watched it when it originally aired. I was horrified by how Keith's poor mother had to handle the horror of the situation with no support from authorities.

It is bad enough having to accept your son's death as a suicide, but when you're treated with little respect, and someone within the police department sends you photos and toys with your emotions, it becomes almost sadistic.

I agree that most cases of suicide are just that, and a family tries to find anything to think it wasn't. However, this case is very different:

1) His family initially accepted the idea of suicide.

2) The whole "sending he body to the funeral home" of the cop's choice, now that is just unbelievable. First of all, how in the world could this even be done? A funeral home charges money, and wouldn't the cops need to make sure that there were funds available to pay for the funeral expenses? I've never, ever heard of a body being sent to a funeral home by police officers, unless there was no family to claim the body, and either the dept or the community pitched in to give the body a proper burial.

3) The way the rope was set up? For a young man, bent on killing himself, it appeared he went to very elaborate lengths to get that rope up. I can def. see why people feel that the rope was purposely made to hoist a body up off the ground, as it looks like a singe individual would just tie a rope from a tree branch, period.

4) The clothing that he had on was not his own, and did not fit, and the clothing given to his mom was different from that which he was wearing when he was hanging from the tree.

5) The delaying by the PD tells me that wanted time to cover something up. That's always the case, I've noticed, with cover-up situations. The PD waits to notify a family, so that they have time to get things situated, appearing to look like what they want. I'm thinking about several cases in Mexico, in which that has been the case, and it was initially called "suicide," but later determined to be corruption. For example, see the "Mario Amado" case, which is listed on UM's website, under "unexplained deaths."

6) Finally, the second autopsy: The chemicals, well, I'm just not sure. The state MD says it could have been due to embalming fluid, and the other MD disagrees. This seems to happen a lot, and it's why I always say that an autopsy finding should always be viewed with suspicion, because the same body can be viewed by multiple "experts" who come up with different findings.

Here's my hunch with the bit of information we have available to us (the public): I think Keith either accidentally died from inhaling a substance (recreationally, which was very popular among suburban teens in the 1980's) and the death was covered up because someone who was with Keith had family in high places, such as a father being a cop, or something of that nature. That, or maybe Keith was accidentally or purposely killed by a cop (I tend to think accidental), such as he was stopped by a cop, and the cop accidentally killed him during an interrogation (think of how many we see video taped now, where police brutality is evident). Particularly given that this was an upper-crust community, a young black male could have been unfairly profiled as "trouble" by the police, or mistaken as someone they were looking for, and things got ugly?

Obviously this is all speculation, but there is just way too much here to think it was not a cover-up. I am very skeptical of conspiracy theories, cover-up charges, etc... and I usually don't buy into them at all. But in this case, based on what we know, I think there is a very strong likelihood that someone made a mistake and his actions are being covered-up by the PD in this Maryland County.

If this was just a killing b/c Keith was a snitch, he would have been killed and left, period. Snitch killings are done as warnings, and the last thing the killers want to do is mask it as a suicide; they want everyone to know: Snitch on us, and this is what will happen to you.

The elaborate way in which this was done indicates a concerted effort to cover-up a crime.

Far-fetched? Think about the Rhode Island case, featured on UM, of Doreen Picard, who was killed by the son (or relative, can't quite remember, but I think son) of a sheriff. The sheriff (and his entire crew) covered up the crime through shoddy police work and delaying tactics to conceal the killer's identity. They even were capable of putting another man in prison for this crime, until luckily other officials, not involved with the sheriff's dept, came in and realized what was going on.

This kind of stuff does happen. What do you guys think?

I speak on behalf of the family and want to say thank you for your concern. As of 01/09 there is no new developments with the case. I would like to clarify a few things;

1. it took police 6hrs to notify his mother of his death. The detective went to the neighbors house told the neighbor to call the mother and have the mother call him.

2. the first paramedic who arrived on scene said that he immediately knew it was a staged hanging and was not touching the body until police arrived. this is a medically trained individual who from first site knew that the hanging was staged. He waited until the police arrived and thought to himself because the responding officer was black that Keith would get justice. The officer and detective released him from the scene. Only until later when he saw the story on UM did he contact the family to give his account.

3. it took 3 attempts by Keith's uncle to identify the body. The first attempt he was asked to leave the funeral home because they were closed for business ( once keith's mother was notified she had to be sedated and her family in North Carolina was called and they drove up that same night). The uncle was told that there was so much decomposition that there should be a closed casket, however as see by the pictures there is and was no decomposition. The second attempt during business hours the next day he was told he needed the mother or father, Keith's father was in NC and his mother was sedated. The third attempt Keith's mother had to be dragged in and once the funeral had her they pushed several papers infront of her to sign. They then told the uncle to take her home and bring back clothing for the body. Now be mindful that no one from the next of kin had id the body. It took 3 trip and 24hrs to id the body.

4. The medical examiner (at that time) has since admitted that he did not examine the body directly however did take the information over the phone.

5. The detective released the body to the funeral home of his choice

6. The tree that was cut down was later destroyed in a warehouse fire

7. the date of death do sent match on the police report and the death certificate

8. From the autopsy that was funded by the family it was noted that Keith had so many chemical at such high amounts in his system (keep in mind this is several years after his death) that he would not have had the physical or mental capability to tie a rope around two trees and jump off another object.

these are just a few of the issues the family has to deal with. This is Montgomery County at its finest!

"KeithWarren:" I just wanted to say thank you SO MUCH for posting on this site. It is very gratifying for us to know that our discussions are meaningful to family members and loved ones of victims. Please let Keith's family and friends know that he has not been forgotten, and many of us are very disturbed by his case, and disgusted by how the police handled the situation.

I hope that Keith's mom and sister are doing well, and are able to lead a happy life, despite the tragedy that occurred.

If you are still checking this site, is there anything else you can tell us about the case? Any information would be greatly appreciated. I guess one of the questions I have is: Why did the family initially accept the finding of suicide? Did they feel that Keith was at a point in his life where he could have been capable of suicide (not that them accepting the finding meant they felt that way)? What was Keith like as a person? It's always important to personalize a victim, at least for me, as it is hard to get to know an individual just based on a UM segment. He certainly seemed like a popular, happy-go-lucky type of teenager who was not involved in trouble.

Do you or family members have any theories on what might have happened to him, other than those discussed on the forums?

Thanks for any information, and again, thanks for posting.:)

After reading everyone's comments and thinking about this situation, I wonder if Keith was killed for "snitching" and his body hung and displayed as a warning to everyone else to keep their mouths shut. (But the stupid cops missed that sign and went straight for a suicide by hanging scenario.)

Then Keith's friend ends up killed under suspicious circumstances, probably because he wanted to do the right thing by Keith and his family, and refused to keep silent.

Anyway, it just struck me that maybe his murder was so elaborate because it was meant to be a message.

If this was just a killing b/c Keith was a snitch, he would have been killed and left, period. Snitch killings are done as warnings, and the last thing the killers want to do is mask it as a suicide; they want everyone to know: Snitch on us, and this is what will happen to you.

Not neccesarily. Snitch killings are done primarily to silence the snitch. Lots of criminal organizations disappear people rather than leave there bodies as a warning. How many snitches has the mafia, simply disappeared?

They also left messages and the noose itself may be a warning,

Here's my hunch with the bit of information we have available to us (the public): I think Keith either accidentally died from inhaling a substance (recreationally, which was very popular among suburban teens in the 1980's) and the death was covered up because someone who was with Keith had family in high places, such as a father being a cop, or something of that nature.

I don't know that someone would go to that much trouble to cover up an accidental death. It's not like he was accidentally murdered or intentionally murdered.

When doing a cover-up, you have to keep in mind that the cover-up in itself is a crime. A crime that has petentially dire punishment if your are caught.
Somebody is only going to cover up when the crime is seriousness enough to warrant the risk.

Drug Dealing is at the root of this case IMHO. Too many people involved for it to be otherwise. Keith's friend is the key to this case. People wanted him dead for a reason.

Sadly Keith's mom passed away unexpectedly at the end of May this year. As of October 2009 the doctors cannot give the family a definitive cause as to why she passed. Side note the family did have an autopsy performed. The family has had several independent medical professionals to review the autopsy and medical records and they have all come to the conclusion the hospital was negligent in the care she received. The short and sad truth is now Sherri has to go thru life not knowing what caused the death of her only brother and mother.

To answer your question. The family was not given an opportunity to question the police or their investigation. At the time of his death, the detective and the responding officer destroyed evidence, released the body to the funeral home of their choice, and intentionally delayed notifying the family. This was all on the same day his body was found on the tree. Keith was far from suicidal. He loved life and was very fond of himself (smile).
Montgomery County police department did everything in their power to block the family from getting to the truth. Keith sister was threaten with arrest after she went the police station several months after his death and requested the police report and was denied access. Sherri refused to leave the station without the report. The police then called her mother at work and told her if she didn’t want to lose another child she had better put her daughter in check. Next Keith's mother had to drive 45-60min to get a copy of the official death certificate and autopsy because the medical examiner and his office refused to release the information in a timely manner.

A month after Keith's death his maternal grandmother came for a visit and wanted to go to the tree to say a prayer. Keith's uncle took her to where the tree was supposed to be and found only a stump. The uncle immediately called the investigating detective and was told that they had cut the tree down and was holding it for evidence. Let’s keep in mind that at the time of death when the family did raise questions the detective told the family the case was closed. If the case was closed then why cut the tree down several weeks later. Ultimately the tree was supposedly destroyed while in police custody in a warehouse fire. Keith was very popular and his house was the hang out spot for his friends every day. Interestingly during the 2 days Keith was missing none of his friends called or came by. It is so many variables and so much to go on that if Montgomery County Police department really wanted to solve this case it would have been solved 23yrs ago. The family is trying to find a way to get to Dr. Micheal Baden the forensic pathologist. Dr. Baden has solved a few mysteries and maybe he could answer the questions for both Mary and Keith.






"KeithWarren:" I just wanted to say thank you SO MUCH for posting on this site. It is very gratifying for us to know that our discussions are meaningful to family members and loved ones of victims. Please let Keith's family and friends know that he has not been forgotten, and many of us are very disturbed by his case, and disgusted by how the police handled the situation.

I hope that Keith's mom and sister are doing well, and are able to lead a happy life, despite the tragedy that occurred.
If you are still checking this site, is there anything else you can tell us about the case? Any information would be greatly appreciated. I guess one of the questions I have is: Why did the family initially accept the finding of suicide? Did they feel that Keith was at a point in his life where he could have been capable of suicide (not that them accepting the finding meant they felt that way)? What was Keith like as a person? It's always important to personalize a victim, at least for me, as it is hard to get to know an individual just based on a UM segment. He certainly seemed like a popular, happy-go-lucky type of teenager who was not involved in trouble.

Do you or family members have any theories on what might have happened to him, other than those discussed on the forums?

Thanks for any information, and again, thanks for posting.:)

Here's an article on Keith Warren from the November 21, 1994 issue of of JET. It contains a few photographs, including the photo of Keith hanging.

Link (http://books.google.com/books?id=Mz0DAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA38&lpg=PA38&dq=keith+warren+death&source=bl&ots=My4PpaWIsQ&sig=qUs_jq0h8gf3YIHe_lb3EkRNSPM&hl=en&ei=jhzGStXPGYen8Abt3KRI&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=9#v=onepage&q=keith%20warren%20death&f=false)

To address the funeral home:

By the time the detective notified Keith's mother it was 6-7hrs after his body was found. Witnesses at the scene have all confirmed that it was not the medical examiner that picked up the body but Collins funeral home. The detective went to the next door neighbor’s house that afternoon showed her Keith's license and asked if she knew him. The neighbor confirmed it was Keith and offered the detective the mother's work number. The detectives told the neighbor to call the mother and have the mother call him. The neighbor called the mother at work and told her she needs to call the detective immediately. At the time the mother asked her why and the neighbor did not feel it was her place to give her the devastating news. The mother immediately called the stations several times and was told the detective was out of the office. The detective went to the mother's job around 7 or 8 that evening told her that Keith was dead and gave her the business card to the funeral home. Jumping a few hours later. When Keith’s uncle arrived in MD that same night he went to the police station to find out information and was told by the desk clerk that the body was at Collins Funeral home and they were closed for business hours.

How the funeral home got paid was by pure deceit. After the uncle and aunt had to drag the mother to the funeral home on the 3rd trip, keep in mind the mother is mildly sedated; the funeral home director pushed several forms in front of the mother and told her to sign them to release the body for viewing. What the mother signed was actually forms giving them authorization for the embalming they had already performed. When the mother tried to dispute the charges the funeral home threaten to sue her.











I'm glad this case is being discussed, because it has stayed with me since I first watched it when it originally aired. I was horrified by how Keith's poor mother had to handle the horror of the situation with no support from authorities.

It is bad enough having to accept your son's death as a suicide, but when you're treated with little respect, and someone within the police department sends you photos and toys with your emotions, it becomes almost sadistic.

I agree that most cases of suicide are just that, and a family tries to find anything to think it wasn't. However, this case is very different:

1) His family initially accepted the idea of suicide.

2) The whole "sending he body to the funeral home" of the cop's choice, now that is just unbelievable. First of all, how in the world could this even be done? A funeral home charges money, and wouldn't the cops need to make sure that there were funds available to pay for the funeral expenses? I've never, ever heard of a body being sent to a funeral home by police officers, unless there was no family to claim the body, and either the dept or the community pitched in to give the body a proper burial.

3) The way the rope was set up? For a young man, bent on killing himself, it appeared he went to very elaborate lengths to get that rope up. I can def. see why people feel that the rope was purposely made to hoist a body up off the ground, as it looks like a singe individual would just tie a rope from a tree branch, period.

4) The clothing that he had on was not his own, and did not fit, and the clothing given to his mom was different from that which he was wearing when he was hanging from the tree.

5) The delaying by the PD tells me that wanted time to cover something up. That's always the case, I've noticed, with cover-up situations. The PD waits to notify a family, so that they have time to get things situated, appearing to look like what they want. I'm thinking about several cases in Mexico, in which that has been the case, and it was initially called "suicide," but later determined to be corruption. For example, see the "Mario Amado" case, which is listed on UM's website, under "unexplained deaths."

6) Finally, the second autopsy: The chemicals, well, I'm just not sure. The state MD says it could have been due to embalming fluid, and the other MD disagrees. This seems to happen a lot, and it's why I always say that an autopsy finding should always be viewed with suspicion, because the same body can be viewed by multiple "experts" who come up with different findings.

Here's my hunch with the bit of information we have available to us (the public): I think Keith either accidentally died from inhaling a substance (recreationally, which was very popular among suburban teens in the 1980's) and the death was covered up because someone who was with Keith had family in high places, such as a father being a cop, or something of that nature. That, or maybe Keith was accidentally or purposely killed by a cop (I tend to think accidental), such as he was stopped by a cop, and the cop accidentally killed him during an interrogation (think of how many we see video taped now, where police brutality is evident). Particularly given that this was an upper-crust community, a young black male could have been unfairly profiled as "trouble" by the police, or mistaken as someone they were looking for, and things got ugly?

Obviously this is all speculation, but there is just way too much here to think it was not a cover-up. I am very skeptical of conspiracy theories, cover-up charges, etc... and I usually don't buy into them at all. But in this case, based on what we know, I think there is a very strong likelihood that someone made a mistake and his actions are being covered-up by the PD in this Maryland County.

If this was just a killing b/c Keith was a snitch, he would have been killed and left, period. Snitch killings are done as warnings, and the last thing the killers want to do is mask it as a suicide; they want everyone to know: Snitch on us, and this is what will happen to you.

The elaborate way in which this was done indicates a concerted effort to cover-up a crime.

Far-fetched? Think about the Rhode Island case, featured on UM, of Doreen Picard, who was killed by the son (or relative, can't quite remember, but I think son) of a sheriff. The sheriff (and his entire crew) covered up the crime through shoddy police work and delaying tactics to conceal the killer's identity. They even were capable of putting another man in prison for this crime, until luckily other officials, not involved with the sheriff's dept, came in and realized what was going on.

This kind of stuff does happen. What do you guys think?

"Keith Warren" so sad to hear that Keith's mother has passed away...:(

That photo in Jet magazine is very disturbing to view. I know we're all pretty well used to seeing and talking about horrific subject matter, but I wasn't expecting the photo to be so large, or to be the first thing to show up after clicking the link.

For the record the pictures are the offical photos taken by the police. The clothing that you see on are not what the family recieved. The police justified their actions for not givng the clothing back by stating there was too much decomposition on the body and they had to destroy the items. The explanation did not come until 6yrs later after the pictures were released. Up until that point the family had no idea that someone changed his clothing. The items which were returned to the family at the time of death were brown leather boots, a blue hoodie jacket and a ripped up bag. if you closly examine the pictures none of these items are near the body. The items were the items the police said were on his person at the time of death. The items returned to the family are in fact those that belonged to keith, however the items on the body on the tree are not.


That photo in Jet magazine is very disturbing to view. I know we're all pretty well used to seeing and talking about horrific subject matter, but I wasn't expecting the photo to be so large, or to be the first thing to show up after clicking the link.

This is absolutely a case where LE bungled the investigation from day one. Whether it was done from malice (i.e., the police had something to do with the crime) or incompetence (sadly, not uncommon among LE), the failure to properly investigate this crime when it was fresh is inexcusable and, sadly, likely ensures it will never be solved. I hope I'm wrong.

The Keith Warren segment has always been hard for me to watch.

The Keith Warren case has always been very strange and sad to me. I really feel for the family and for him. For some reason, even those this happened in 86 I believe, it always seemed more recent to me. Maybe because it was a newer segment, or because his mother seemed so young. Keith seemed like a nice kid and reminds me of someone I know, so I have always felt like I knew him in a way. I hope this gets solved and I can't believe it has already been so long. It is too bad for everyone involved.

Wow! That picture is truly disturbing. I'm very surprised it was actually printed in that article. To think that those photos were actually mailed to Keith's mother.

I just watched this segment for the first time in years and it's still hard to watch. Keith looked like a nice, very harmless guy in those photos. It's hard to believe that someone would want to end his life the way they did.

I'm reminded of a quote from one of the investigators in the Danny Casolaro case. He said, "When police screw up, they cover up." That seems so blatantly obvious in this case. There's just too many questionable moves by the police from day one.

My thoughts and prayers go out to Keith's family.

For the record the pictures are the offical photos taken by the police.
Is the pictures from what the mother received or is the pictures from the police? I mean have the pictures the mother received been confirmed authentic?
The items returned to the family are in fact those that belonged to keith, however the items on the body on the tree are not.
This is strange indeed, I can not see any logical reason why someone would change Keith's clothes. It make no sense. Thats is why I ask if the photos are confirmed authentic.

That being said I'm pretty sure this is a racist related killing. Keith was known for dating white girls, and the key to solving this case could be to find all the white girls he was/had been dating. It could be one of the white girls family member or friends which are responsible. The only reason the police did so little to investigate is because they are racist themselves.

Yes , the pictures are authentic and were confirmed by the police department to be the photo's taken by the investigative team at the scene.

Is the pictures from what the mother received or is the pictures from the police? I mean have the pictures the mother received been confirmed authentic?

This is strange indeed, I can not see any logical reason why someone would change Keith's clothes. It make no sense. Thats is why I ask if the photos are confirmed authentic.

That being said I'm pretty sure this is a racist related killing. Keith was known for dating white girls, and the key to solving this case could be to find all the white girls he was/had been dating. It could be one of the white girls family member or friends which are responsible. The only reason the police did so little to investigate is because they are racist themselves.

Sadly Keith's mom passed away unexpectedly at the end of May this year.
I am so sorry. Please accept my condolences. I hope that she is resting at peace and with her son. This situation must be very hard on your family and friends. I hope you get the answers you deserve.

Good Lord, those pictures. I admit that when I first saw this segment as a kid, I was morbidly curious to see the pictures that were sent to his mom. But actually seeing them, especially the one where his face is shown, is just so sad. Poor guy.

I know that the clothes he was found wearing did not belong to him, but did the police ever say where they found the clothes that were returned to his mom? (this included his pair of brown boots.) Were they near the body? or was this never addressed?

Neither the Unsolved Mysteries segment nor any articles seem to mention anything about the final hours or days of Keith's life. Who was the last person to see him alive? When was the last time any of his friends or family talked to him? Was he acting strangely? Was he acting scared? Depressed?

That car of shady looking characters looking for Keith happened a full week before he died. And then we don't anything else about that week except for the fact that Mark Findley was looking for him as well.

I'd like to know more about that last week.

Good Lord, those pictures. I admit that when I first saw this segment as a kid, I was morbidly curious to see the pictures that were sent to his mom. But actually seeing them, especially the one where his face is shown, is just so sad. Poor guy.

I know that the clothes he was found wearing did not belong to him, but did the police ever say where they found the clothes that were returned to his mom? (this included his pair of brown boots.) Were they near the body? or was this never addressed?

the explanation given to the family by police concerning the clothing was
that the items that they received were in the vicinity of the body but not on the body

Neither the Unsolved Mysteries segment nor any articles seem to mention anything about the final hours or days of Keith's life. Who was the last person to see him alive? When was the last time any of his friends or family talked to him? Was he acting strangely? Was he acting scared? Depressed?

That car of shady looking characters looking for Keith happened a full week before he died. And then we don't anything else about that week except for the fact that Mark Findley was looking for him as well.

I'd like to know more about that last week.


The week of his death, on that Monday Keith had a conversaton with his sister and had planned to pick her up from out of town and bring her home. On Tuesday Keith left the house and did not return home that evening or the next day. This was out of character for him. Keith always let his mother know if he planned on staying over a friends house. His mother tried to file a missing persons report on Wednesday and was told by police that she would have to wait 48hrs before she could file the report. Keith's body was found on that Thursday.

On a side note on the offical medical examiners report he stated he had talked to Keith's sister and she stated that Keith was depressed and missing for several days. This was a bold face lie. Keith only had one sister and at the time of the report she was not in the state of Maryland. The ME has never had contact with her.

Interesting. So basically we have roughly around a 48 hour period from the time Keith left home on Tuesday to the time his body was found on Thursday.

This happened in July and Keith was a month away from starting college so he wasn't leaving for school on Tuesday. Did he have a Summer job? If so, his co-workers might have been the last ones to see him. If he didn't have a job, then it's much harder to trace his steps from the time he left home. And really...you had to wait 48 hours before you could report a missing person in those days? I always thought it was 24 hours.

The issue of the clothes always bugged me. I always suspected Keith had been murdered and his killers made a lame attempt to make it look like suicide. I just never understood why they changed his clothes. Killing him was their main goal. What difference did it make what he was wearing?

The issue of the clothes always bugged me. I always suspected Keith had been murdered and his killers made a lame attempt to make it look like suicide. I just never understood why they changed his clothes. Killing him was their main goal. What difference did it make what he was wearing?

According to the segment, "the only items of clothing returned to the family were Keith's jacket and brown boots". If that is true, than the only thing I can think of is that the rest of his original clothing (shirt, pants, etc..) had to have had some evidence of foul play on it. So those items were disposed of. He was probably redressed because they wanted it to look like a suicide, and it would have seemed odd if he'd been nude. That's the best I can come up with.

According to the segment, "the only items of clothing returned to the family were Keith's jacket and brown boots". If that is true, than the only thing I can think of is that the rest of his original clothing (shirt, pants, etc..) had to have had some evidence of foul play on it. So those items were disposed of. He was probably redressed because they wanted it to look like a suicide, and it would have seemed odd if he'd been nude. That's the best I can come up with.

If you recall the independent ME stated that Keith had high levels of several different chemicals in his body 7yrs after his death. The levels were so high that the ME couldn’t imagine what they were in 1986. The ME also stated that Keith would not have had the mental or physical capability to tie the rope in such an elaborate manner let alone climb up on something and jump. The chemicals were not those used in embalming, they were paint thinners and degreasers. It is the belief of the family that Keith threw up on his clothing and soiled them.

That being said I'm pretty sure this is a racist related killing. Keith was known for dating white girls, and the key to solving this case could be to find all the white girls he was/had been dating. It could be one of the white girls family member or friends which are responsible. The only reason the police did so little to investigate is because they are racist themselves.

WAAAY to broad a statement.

If you recall the independent ME stated that Keith had high levels of several different chemicals in his body 7yrs after his death. The levels were so high that the ME couldn’t imagine what they were in 1986. The ME also stated that Keith would not have had the mental or physical capability to tie the rope in such an elaborate manner let alone climb up on something and jump. The chemicals were not those used in embalming, they were paint thinners and degreasers. It is the belief of the family that Keith threw up on his clothing and soiled them.

I'm sorry if this was mentioned before, but do you have a list of what these possible chemicals could be?

I'm willing to bet dollars to donuts that a few of the chemicals are consistent with those used in cutting cocaine and "hot shots".

WAAAY to broad a statement.



I'm sorry if this was mentioned before, but do you have a list of what these possible chemicals could be?

I'm willing to bet dollars to donuts that a few of the chemicals are consistent with those used in cutting cocaine and "hot shots".

I will get the list and post it.

I think 99.9% of the time, law enforcement does a fantastic job.

This case is part of the other 0.1%. How the hell this was all allowed to happen is beyond me. It's too bad this case never got national attention because the average citizen should be outraged and how poorly this case was handled.

I think one of the most important points is how the other boy died (I can't remember his name). He apparently "fell off his bike" but the medics said his face looked bashed in.

Why are the cops so reluctant to do even half of what they should on this? Even Encyclopedia Brown could put the links together on this one. This case stinks to high hell. :mad:

My condolences to Keith's family for the passing of his mother and the fact that they have never received justice for Keith's death. :(

1-1-1-TCE concentrations with higher concentrations in tissue, toluene, xylene, ethlybenzene, 1,1-dichloroethane were found in Keith’s blood, liver, brain, and Kidney tissues. The forensic pathologist, Dr. Isidore Mihalakis stated "The toxicological findings... do not support a hanging diagnosis based on the levels of TCE I do not believe he would have the ability to hang himself...he would have been immobilized or even dead." "such a case must be considered a homicide until proven otherwise."

Keep in mind this was concluded 8yrs after his death. Dr. Mikhalakis also stated the levels were so high in 1994 he couldn’t image what they were in 1986

WAAAY to broad a statement.



I'm sorry if this was mentioned before, but do you have a list of what these possible chemicals could be?

I'm willing to bet dollars to donuts that a few of the chemicals are consistent with those used in cutting cocaine and "hot shots".

Thanks

Toulene-found in paint thinner, used as an inhalant drug
xylene- used in rubber and leather. Known as an inhalant drug.
ethlybenzene-useed in plastics
dichloroethane-used in pesticides and fire extinguishers. Known to be used as an inhalant drug.
TCE-used as an anesthetic

Nearly all the drugs in that report are known inhalant drugs.

I doubt that they would be found naturally all together. Nor would Keith use them all at once!!!:mad:

No way could someone use all those drugs and stay concious to even sit up, much less hang himself.

The analysis is right. This is a murder!:mad:

dynoguy88, you had a great post. Got to some of the questions I have. It is really interesting to note that, apparently, no one can account for Keith's whereabouts for the 36-48 hours immediately prior to the discovery of his body. This could mean one of two things: 1) he was alive, somewhere, and something bad happened or 2) he was hanging out in the woods that entire time.

Some questions occur to me, in no particular order. Perhaps keithwarren can answer some of them:

1. According to the UM segment, Keith's mother "initially accepted" the ruling of suicide. Is that in fact true? How long did she accept it for? If she did, was it because there was some reason to suspect he might have been given to depression?

2. How reliable a person is Rodney, Keith's friend? It is on Rodney's testimony, and Rodney's alone, that we know that some unidentified black males were looking for Keith, and that Mark Findley was also looking for him. Rodney was right about where the tree was and that it had been cut down, so that certainly suggests his credibility.

3. What, if anything, is known about Keith's whereabouts during those missing 24-36 hours? Already asked by dynoguy88, but worth repeating.

4. Who was the other person threatened by the letter included with the pictures? Is he still alive?

5. Was the actual cause of death of Keith ever established? We know that no autopsy was performed - still an astonishing fact - until several years after Keith's death. Would it have been possible, at that point, to say with any definitiveness if Keith had in fact died of strangulation/hanging? Was that ever conclusively established? It seems to me the mind-blowingly weird move by the police to send Keith's body directly to a funeral home makes the most sense in a cover-up context (and I am not yet asserting an intentional police-led cover-up) if the purpose was to obscure the actual manner of death.

6. Was it ever established how long Keith had been dead when he was found? Probably not, since no autopsy was done. How long was Keith actually hanging out there? The longer he was, the more difficult it is to imagine a police-led cover-up. If the police were leading the cover-up of Keith's death, and the first and most important fact about that death was that although he was found hanging he did not actually die by hanging, you'd expect that what they would want is to have Keith's body hang for as short a time as possible, just long enough for an independent witness to find it, and then move toward destroying all the evidence. Sadly, this case mostly fits that profile; however, the one thing we don't appear to know is how long Keith was out there.

7. In the segment, a brief image of a newspaper article flashes by which indicates that the FBI rejected an appeal to open an investigation of the case themselves. What reason was given for this rejection? The FBI has been, in the past, an enthusiastic investigator of lynching cases; why not this time?

8. How long did it actually take for Keith's clothes to be released from the time his body was discovered? This seems important because it could be suggestive of a cover-up; if they came immediately, it suggests they were available immediately, which means they were probably at the crime scene, even if they don't appear in those horrid pictures. If they came late, it suggests they were retrieved from somewhere else well after Keith had died.

The UM segment strongly implies that, if Keith was murdered, it was by other black men, based largely on the testimony of Rodney, Keith's friend. Indeed, the way I read the note included with the pictures given to Keith's mom, somebody was accusing Mark Findley and someone else of killing Keith; the note sounds as if whoever the writer is is reassuring Keith's mom that justice will be served ("Don't worry... Mark and Person X are next").

But is that the likeliest explanation? Keith had a lot of drugs in his system, but, to be honest, I am not convinced these aren't the product of the embalming process. Nevertheless, something very strange was going on here. If we accept as fact that Keith is apparently hanged in clothes that aren't his own (and, truth be told, the shirt he is wearing does look stupid big for a guy his size in that gruesome photograph), it suggests he was dressed by someone who nevertheless had access to his real clothes, since those are what was eventually returned.

This suggests one of two things to me:

1) Keith vomited or otherwise soiled his clothes before he died, and the person staging the hanging scene either didn't want to deal with his soiled clothes while trying to stage the hanging and so changed Keith into other clothes, or had removed Keith's clothes in an initial attempt to try to help a perhaps overdosing Keith while Keith was still alive, then felt it would be too incriminating to attempt to re-dress Keith in clothes he soiled (it would make it obvious, for example, that someone other than Keith had dressed himself, because who would voluntarily put on soiled clothes?), so dressed him in other clothes instead.

2) Keith was murdered while naked, probably because he was with a girl, and was dressed hastily by somebody who then discovered Keith's own clothes at some later point.

I don't know. There's a lot to conisder. I don't think anything can be ruled out on the evidence at hand.

2) Keith was murdered while naked, probably because he was with a girl, and was dressed hastily by somebody who then discovered Keith's own clothes at some later point.

Not necessarily.

1. Some criminal organizations tend tend to force their victims to strip in order to intimidate them.

2. If they thought Keith was wearing a wire, then they may have forced him to strip.

3. he also could have been taking out of the shower or bath as well.

Sadly an autopsy would have shown if he had intercourse.

1) Keith vomited or otherwise soiled his clothes before he died, and the person staging the hanging scene either didn't want to deal with his soiled clothes while trying to stage the hanging and so changed Keith into other clothes, or had removed Keith's clothes in an initial attempt to try to help a perhaps overdosing Keith while Keith was still alive, then felt it would be too incriminating to attempt to re-dress Keith in clothes he soiled (it would make it obvious, for example, that someone other than Keith had dressed himself, because who would voluntarily put on soiled clothes?), so dressed him in other clothes instead.

There are other possibilities:
1. They couldn't find his clothes to begin with. It's not far-fetched that they simply misplaced the clothing and had to get someone elses.
2. If a police officer was involved, the police officer would have known that destroying his clothes would be important in removing potential evidence.
3. Keith Warren may have not been the only victim the day he died. It's quite possible the owner of the clothes may have been in the same predicament. The criminals may have simply took that persons clothes.

An important question I have is whether it was just outer garments, or whether it was his undergarments as well that were not his. I also wonder if these clothes still exist know. They would be valuable evidence potentially.


7. In the segment, a brief image of a newspaper article flashes by which indicates that the FBI rejected an appeal to open an investigation of the case themselves. What reason was given for this rejection? The FBI has been, in the past, an enthusiastic investigator of lynching cases; why not this time?

There are several reasons the FBI refused the investigation.
1. Technically it's there right. Being that the case was determined as a sucide by local authorities, they have the prescedent to deny that the case falls in their jurisdiction.
2. The Hate Crimes division of the Resident Agency may have been overworked or extremely small. They may not have wanted to take a cold case that is already deemed
3. The federal prosecutors may have told the FBI agents that they would decline to prosecute the case.
4. The real reason I suspect is that there may have been overlap in this case. There may have already been a federal investigation involving people connected to Keith's murder. If there is a DEA investigation or if some of the people involved are informants, the prudent think to do is step aside and let the original investigation proceed. This may have been why the local authorities were reluctant to investigate. The federal investigators may have told them there was a larger more crucial investigation pending that could be hurt if keith warren's death was actively investigated.
5. I'm not sure this case would go to Hate Crimes. I'm not sure what the FBI divisions or priorities were back then, but I imagine that if this was a murder, it would be classified as a regular homicide. The FBI technically would have no jurisdiction or reason to investigate regular homicide. Thats a local crime.
6. It also depends on the FBI supervisor of the unit or the squad supervisor. The one thing a career FBI doesn;t want is to have to explain to his superiors why he took on a case that he couldn't solve, even though it was listed as suicide by local police! That could be your own CAREER SUICIDE.
7. Sadly, this case probably isn't THAT high a profile case from an FBI perspective. The pressure from the FBI is from within to impress your superiors with your obedience and catching "big game". From a hate crimes perspective..there looking to catch the Grand Wizard of the KKK. Catching a lone killer, gang or petty criminals or a low level drug organization is not going to impress anyone.

7. Sadly, this case probably isn't THAT high a profile case from an FBI perspective. The pressure from the FBI is from within to impress your superiors with your obedience and catching "big game". From a hate crimes perspective..there looking to catch the Grand Wizard of the KKK. Catching a lone killer, gang or petty criminals or a low level drug organization is not going to impress anyone.

If there was even the possibility of a lynching, you'd think the FBI would be interested. The FBI investigated all kinds of single-person murders and tried the culprits under federal civil rights guidelines - that's how so many Southern lynchers were put in jail after being acquitted by all-white jurors of murder at the local level.

answers in red......


dynoguy88, you had a great post. Got to some of the questions I have. It is really interesting to note that, apparently, no one can account for Keith's whereabouts for the 36-48 hours immediately prior to the discovery of his body. This could mean one of two things: 1) he was alive, somewhere, and something bad happened or 2) he was hanging out in the woods that entire time.

Some questions occur to me, in no particular order. Perhaps keithwarren can answer some of them:

1. According to the UM segment, Keith's mother "initially accepted" the ruling of suicide. Is that in fact true? How long did she accept it for? If she did, was it because there was some reason to suspect he might have been given to depression?

a. At the time which Keith's mother was notified 6hrs after the body was found she was working at a hospital and the doctors on call sedated her immediately. After his burial his mother tried to speak with the investigating detective about the questions the family had and he told her that the case was closed and to "leave it alone" from that point on no one from the Montgomery County police department tried to assist the family in getting any answers

2. How reliable a person is Rodney, Keith's friend? It is on Rodney's testimony, and Rodney's alone, that we know that some unidentified black males were looking for Keith, and that Mark Findley was also looking for him. Rodney was right about where the tree was and that it had been cut down, so that certainly suggests his credibility.

a. Keiths sister was told by other people in the neighborhood that Mark Finely was also looking for keith, he was in a panic as if his life depended on finding Keith and even kids on the summer school bus returning home knew of Keiths death before the family. Now keep in mind summer schools lets out at around 1pm. Keiths body was found at around 1:30pm

3. What, if anything, is known about Keith's whereabouts during those missing 24-36 hours? Already asked by dynoguy88, but worth repeating.

a. Keith's mom called serveral of his friends and all said they had no idea where he was.

4. Who was the other person threatened by the letter included with the pictures? Is he still alive?

5. Was the actual cause of death of Keith ever established? We know that no autopsy was performed - still an astonishing fact - until several years after Keith's death. Would it have been possible, at that point, to say with any definitiveness if Keith had in fact died of strangulation/hanging? Was that ever conclusively established? It seems to me the mind-blowingly weird move by the police to send Keith's body directly to a funeral home makes the most sense in a cover-up context (and I am not yet asserting an intentional police-led cover-up) if the purpose was to obscure the actual manner of death.

a. No definitive cause of death. The Maryland State ME at the time was very combative and refuse to work with the family.

6. Was it ever established how long Keith had been dead when he was found? Probably not, since no autopsy was done. How long was Keith actually hanging out there? The longer he was, the more difficult it is to imagine a police-led cover-up. If the police were leading the cover-up of Keith's death, and the first and most important fact about that death was that although he was found hanging he did not actually die by hanging, you'd expect that what they would want is to have Keith's body hang for as short a time as possible, just long enough for an independent witness to find it, and then move toward destroying all the evidence. Sadly, this case mostly fits that profile; however, the one thing we don't appear to know is how long Keith was out there.

a. The offical ME's report and the investigating officers report have different dates of death on them. There is no definite time for how long he was out there.

7. In the segment, a brief image of a newspaper article flashes by which indicates that the FBI rejected an appeal to open an investigation of the case themselves. What reason was given for this rejection? The FBI has been, in the past, an enthusiastic investigator of lynching cases; why not this time?


a. No reason given

8. How long did it actually take for Keith's clothes to be released from the time his body was discovered? This seems important because it could be suggestive of a cover-up; if they came immediately, it suggests they were available immediately, which means they were probably at the crime scene, even if they don't appear in those horrid pictures. If they came late, it suggests they were retrieved from somewhere else well after Keith had died.


a. The family never received his clothing. The items you see in the UM piece are the only items they received back from the police. The family was told there was too much decomposition and they had to be destroyed.


The UM segment strongly implies that, if Keith was murdered, it was by other black men, based largely on the testimony of Rodney, Keith's friend. Indeed, the way I read the note included with the pictures given to Keith's mom, somebody was accusing Mark Findley and someone else of killing Keith; the note sounds as if whoever the writer is is reassuring Keith's mom that justice will be served ("Don't worry... Mark and Person X are next").

But is that the likeliest explanation? Keith had a lot of drugs in his system, but, to be honest, I am not convinced these aren't the product of the embalming process. Nevertheless, something very strange was going on here. If we accept as fact that Keith is apparently hanged in clothes that aren't his own (and, truth be told, the shirt he is wearing does look stupid big for a guy his size in that gruesome photograph), it suggests he was dressed by someone who nevertheless had access to his real clothes, since those are what was eventually returned.

This suggests one of two things to me:

1) Keith vomited or otherwise soiled his clothes before he died, and the person staging the hanging scene either didn't want to deal with his soiled clothes while trying to stage the hanging and so changed Keith into other clothes, or had removed Keith's clothes in an initial attempt to try to help a perhaps overdosing Keith while Keith was still alive, then felt it would be too incriminating to attempt to re-dress Keith in clothes he soiled (it would make it obvious, for example, that someone other than Keith had dressed himself, because who would voluntarily put on soiled clothes?), so dressed him in other clothes instead.

2) Keith was murdered while naked, probably because he was with a girl, and was dressed hastily by somebody who then discovered Keith's own clothes at some later point.

I don't know. There's a lot to conisder. I don't think anything can be ruled out on the evidence at hand.

If there was even the possibility of a lynching, you'd think the FBI would be interested. The FBI investigated all kinds of single-person murders and tried the culprits under federal civil rights guidelines - that's how so many Southern lynchers were put in jail after being acquitted by all-white jurors of murder at the local level.


For all the cases they accepted, there are several cases they didn't accept. A friend of mine who was a supervisor of the old C-11 violent crimes squad in the Washington DC resident agency, once told me that the major part of his job was trying to avoid taking cases. Sad but true.

The FBI has always avoided single person murders, unless they are part of a larger conspirarcy. The FBI does not want their agents become "overpaid homicide detectives".( a term that was used for the agents in the DC Major crimes unit" that did homicide work in DC during the violent 1990s)

If there was even the possibility of a lynching, you'd think the FBI would be interested. The FBI investigated all kinds of single-person murders and tried the culprits under federal civil rights guidelines - that's how so many Southern lynchers were put in jail after being acquitted by all-white jurors of murder at the local level.


The FBI at the time put their trust in the local police department and based off the evidence they had at the time did not see a case for them. The judicial system in the state of MD clearly failed the Warren family. Maybe if the family had friends in high places higher than the officials over this case then it would be a higher probability of Keith receiving justice. Unfortunately, they don’t and hence why we are discussing it on this board.

Oh I forgot to mention the MD states attorney in more or less words told the family unless Keith comes back and names his killers this case will never be solved

[QUOTE=Mastermind]Not necessarily.

1. Some criminal organizations tend tend to force their victims to strip in order to intimidate them.

2. If they thought Keith was wearing a wire, then they may have forced him to strip.

3. he also could have been taking out of the shower or bath as well.

Sadly an autopsy would have shown if he had intercourse.

------ reponse in red

There are other possibilities:
1. They couldn't find his clothes to begin with. It's not far-fetched that they simply misplaced the clothing and had to get someone elses.

The Police knew what items to give back to the family and they knew what items to destroy..... if you remember keith had on tennis shoes on the tree, however family got back his brown construction boots. The right items were somewhere were the police could get to. The explanation the family was given was that the items were in the vicinity of the body at the time it was found.

2. If a police officer was involved, the police officer would have known that destroying his clothes would be important in removing potential evidence.

The officer did know what items to keep and what items to destroy

3. Keith Warren may have not been the only victim the day he died. It's quite possible the owner of the clothes may have been in the same predicament. The criminals may have simply took that persons clothes.

An important question I have is whether it was just outer garments, or whether it was his undergarments as well that were not his. I also wonder if these clothes still exist know. They would be valuable evidence potentially.

No article of clothing was given back to the family. the only items received was the boots, blue hood jacket and the rip up duffle bag.

Does the family know the identity of the second person mentioned in the note that came with the photos?

I feel so bad for Keith's family and friends that after all this time, they are no closer to finding out what happened to Keith. The thing that really sticks out to me the most about his case as the way I saw it on UM were those pictures that were sent to Keith's mom and sister. Besides the fact that it was beyond sick and cruel, UM seemed to imply that the pictures were "official" looking like someone had intentionally leaked them. That always led me to believe that maybe someone in law enforcement was involved in Keith's death and possibly Mark Finley's. The question for me always goes back to why someone would send this poor woman the pictures in the first place. Was it to send a message for her to "back off" with her accusations about Keith's death not being a suicide? Was it some sick way of twisting the knife? I know one can never really know why people do the things they do. This case has always been one of the more fascinating yet heartbreaking cases. I really hope someday more answers will come out...

Does the family know the identity of the second person mentioned in the note that came with the photos?



Keith's mom never shared the other name with the family. She wanted to protect all from harm due to what happen to mark.

The thing that really sticks out to me the most about his case as the way I saw it on UM were those pictures that were sent to Keith's mom and sister. Besides the fact that it was beyond sick and cruel, UM seemed to imply that the pictures were "official" looking like someone had intentionally leaked them. That always led me to believe that maybe someone in law enforcement was involved in Keith's death and possibly Mark Finley's. The question for me always goes back to why someone would send this poor woman the pictures in the first place. Was it to send a message for her to "back off" with her accusations about Keith's death not being a suicide? Was it some sick way of twisting the knife? I know one can never really know why people do the things they do. This case has always been one of the more fascinating yet heartbreaking cases. I really hope someday more answers will come out...

I don't think the killers would have taken the photos. Why would they do it in the first place? why would they take that many pictures at all angles. Who would the photos be for? Why risk having that evidence around? Why did they have a camera with them?

I think the photos are official police photos that were taken at the scene. I think the sender of the photos was a symnpathetic person in law enforcement that wanted to warn the family about digging into the case.

I don't think the killers would have taken the photos. Why would they do it in the first place? why would they take that many pictures at all angles. Who would the photos be for? Why risk having that evidence around? Why did they have a camera with them?

I think the photos are official police photos that were taken at the scene. I think the sender of the photos was a symnpathetic person in law enforcement that wanted to warn the family about digging into the case.

The police have conceded they are crime scene photos.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mastermind
I don't think the killers would have taken the photos. Why would they do it in the first place? why would they take that many pictures at all angles. Who would the photos be for? Why risk having that evidence around? Why did they have a camera with them?

I think the photos are official police photos that were taken at the scene. I think the sender of the photos was a symnpathetic person in law enforcement that wanted to warn the family about digging into the case.


The police have conceded they are crime scene photos.

Thanks for the confirmation, Mozart. I appreciate it.

This further bolsters the concept that this is a murder.

The police have conceded they are crime scene photos.

Yes it is fact that Montgomery County did confirm the photo's as being theirs however, they have no explanation as to how they got to Keith's mom and sister.

The link that was posted earlier int his thread to Jet Magazine that contains the photos of Keith hanging speculates that this could have been a racial lynching. I tend to buy into Mastermind's theory of a snitch/drug informant story. Either way, this case reminds me a lot of Eric Tamiyasu in that LE screwed up the investigation and may have even been involved. Damn shame that Keith's mother passed away without ever knowing for sure what happened to her son. She was on a crusade for the truth, appearing on several shows and just trying to get the case out there. I hope that its solved one day but I highly doubt it will be with all the evidence being "lost" or "accidentally destroyed".

I've been searching for ways to publicize this case for years. I can't even begin to explain how overjoyed I was back in '05 to find out there were several others out there putting theories together to help in some way. I have considered several times, traveling to MD to help piece things together, as I want nothing more than to see this case solved. Here are my thoughts:

1) The five pictures were not sent as a sympathetic warning, but rather a violent warning. (obvious) I'm sorry to those who believe otherwise, but you don't send a grieving mother actual photos of her murdered son.

2) Dirt and leaves found on Keith's back and hair are obvious signs that he was lying down before he was hanging.

3) Mark Findley's death was an obvious cover-up. You can also tell there was some extreme despiration and speed to his disposal, a sign that someone was ready for "this thing" to all be overwith.

4) A body is NEVER to be released to a funeral home unless the ME and morgue have absolutely no space for another body. The next of kin MUST be notified of this circumstance before the body is to be transferred.

5) Black males and females make up .01% of the suicide population, a rare but true fact in the medical world. They are the absolute LEAST likely to committ suicide in America.

6) I don't believe this to be racially driven, as the FBI would have snuffed that issue out in a heartbeat. The fact that the detective had a neighbor call Mary tells me instantly that there was a pending investigation and he wanted Mary's number on his phone, not the other way around. Think about it: if the detective went out of his way to call Mary and make a large public effort to meet with her, in his mind, it could have ripped up everything the PD might have been working for.

7) If the body was found within six hours of the time of death, there would have been almost no decomp. Even within two days of his death, the weather in MD is so cool around that time of year, the body would have decomped much slower, definitely still with the ability to have an opened caskett.

8) Any decent lawyer would have blown apart the defense of the mortuary that Mary had previously signed a contract and thus could not press about the embalming that had been done without her consent. There's such a thing a duress, and she had it to the enth degree.

Mastermind and Keith Warren, I would like you to contact me if you're still around. I have a close contact who does documentaries and has submitted to Sundance a few times. If I could get some informational back up, I would like to get this thing out there again full force. Documentaries are the new "newspaper spread" if you know what I mean. I am asking for no money, just facts and time. This is the kind of thing we as citizens have to do to protect possible future Keith Warrens. Please help me as I'd love to help Sherri and the rest of Keith's family.

I watched this ep for the first time earlier and I was disgusted by the way the police handled it from moment one.

From what I've seen on UM and read in this thread, I'd say Mark Findley and others were the killers/hangers.

The way Mark was looking for him as if it was life or death and he neede to hurry suggests he was about to be kileld and Mark somehow knew. I'd say he turned up where it was going down but was a little too late and whoever did it somehow blackmailed him nto keeping his mouth shut and helping stage the hanging.

If I'm right, I'd say one of the people involved is a cop or is a close relative or very good friend of a cop who is fairly high up in the area. Or as others have suggested it's possible there was 'bigger fish to fry' and that's why this case was swept under the rug as fast as possible.

Mark saying he was killed and he helped hung him really made me come to this conclusion. Though it's only what some people said he said, it makes a lot of sense to me. The way he died was very suss too, but why didn't he see Keith's mum in the one month between his call and death? did he go missing in this time period much like Keith?


I definitely feel like Mark was blackmailed into it, as wel as the second person on the note, whoever they may be. Mark couldn't handle the guilt anymore and was going to spill his guts to people, but the others involved clearly found out and took care of the problem before it happened.

What I can't gather at all is any motivation for anyone to kill him. There's nothing in here or on the UM segment that makes me think "Oh that's why they killed him". I doubt he was a snitch, and if he ODed I don't know why there was such a cover up by the people who hanged him or the police.

There's something big behind this whole case I think, i just don't know what it was at all. I'd really love to see it solved, but sadly it's been such a long time which makes it all the more unlikely :(

I doubt he was a snitch,

What makes you think he wasn't a snitch?

I just feel if he was a snitch, someone would have known (most likely a family member). Some might claim that person to be Mark I suppose. I just really got the impression he wasn't a snitch, I guess it's more of a gut feeling than going on some sort of facts I've seen.

Either way Priddo, like I have said before, I'm just greatful people are still outraged about this case. I can't remeber who said it first, but, this really is the worst treatment of a family by a PD I have ever come accross.

Other than that, it's official starting today. I'm going ahead with the plans to put this thing back in the public eye. Wish me luck.

Either way Priddo, like I have said before, I'm just greatful people are still outraged about this case. I can't remeber who said it first, but, this really is the worst treatment of a family by a PD I have ever come accross.

Other than that, it's official starting today. I'm going ahead with the plans to put this thing back in the public eye. Wish me luck.

Are you a friend or family member of Keith's?

Are you a friend or family member of Keith's?

No, and I apologize if I gave that impression. I am a former abnormal psych major who came accross this case back when I was a freshman. It's plagued me ever since and I am finally in a place where I can try and do something about it : ) It may not be possible to find justice for Keith, but I won't like myself until I at least try, you know? Let me know if you want to help.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Hambone2421
Are you a friend or family member of Keith's?

No, and I apologize if I gave that impression. I am a former abnormal psych major who came accross this case back when I was a freshman. It's plagued me ever since and I am finally in a place where I can try and do something about it : ) It may not be possible to find justice for Keith, but I won't like myself until I at least try, you know? Let me know if you want to help.

I'll see what I can do to help you.

Just keep in mind that you may be entering a world of drug dealers, narcotic officers and potential corruption.

These people that were responsible for Keith Warren;s death may still be around and may still be in positions to prevent the truth about Keith Warren;s death from coming to light. They may go to extreme methods in order to do this. :eek:

Just be prepared.

I wish you good luck and safety emrc, it's quite noble of someone to take steps into working out what happened here.

I have nothing to add but that this case has always made me angry and I would love to see it out in the open again. Best of luck.

I just feel if he was a snitch, someone would have known (most likely a family member)

1. The best way for Keith to protect his identity would be for him not to tell his family. I'm sure his handler mentioned that to him.

2. Keith may have known that his parents would not approve of this. Hence that's why he never told anyone.

3. There are different levels of snitching. Keith may have done nothing more than tell a school teacher or tell a patrol cop about some guys he saw dealing. That's sometimes enough for dealers to want to kill you to make an example out of you.

4. It;s possible that Keith wasn;t really a snitch at all...but was expected of it. I wouldn't be surprised if Mark Findley spilled Keith's name as an informer in order to get himself out of trouble. That actually may be the way it really went down.

4. It;s possible that Keith wasn;t really a snitch at all...but was expected of it. I wouldn't be surprised if Mark Findley spilled Keith's name as an informer in order to get himself out of trouble. That actually may be the way it really went down.


Very good point, Mastermind. That would explain why Mark Findlay was desperately looking for Keith. Maybe he figured he could just pawn it off on him and everything would be ok, but then maybe he realized or was told that Keith would be killed for this. That actually makes alot of sense but still doesn't explain why law enforcement isn't cooperating.

Very good point, Mastermind. That would explain why Mark Findlay was desperately looking for Keith. Maybe he figured he could just pawn it off on him and everything would be ok, but then maybe he realized or was told that Keith would be killed for this.
i agree too, i think that's what happened, but the fact is, while i want it to be solved, it most likely won't.

i agree too, i think that's what happened, but the fact is, while i want it to be solved, it most likely won't.

Sadly, I agree.

I can;t see this case anyone getting convicted.

Sadly, I agree.

I can;t see this case anyone getting convicted.

Yes, especially considering that Keith's mom passed away a few years ago and she was the one fighting for justice.

Sadly, I agree.
I can;t see this case anyone getting convicted
yep, especially since the police won't change their views on this.
Yes, especially considering that Keith's mom passed away a few years ago and she was the one fighting for justice
yeah and that's sadder, his mom passes away without ever finding out who killed her boy.

didnt know his mom passed away. i was hoping this case would be solved and she seemed to work very hard at trying to find answers.

http://www.myspace.com/thosethathavepassed

I was presented info about this case in a class in law school a few months ago. I came across this myspace page from someone who supposedly was a friend of Keith's. Startling this person says that Keith was murdered by police because of his addiction. Then again they got the year of death wrong, but possibly that was the word on the street at the time...that Keith was an addict.


My theory is.. Mark Findlay was involved and or witnessed something that was drug related and involved corrupt police officers. Keith somehow witnessed or found out about this. Mark was tipped off that Keith had to be eliminated for knowing too much and he was probably blackmailed to help. Desperately he wanted to warn Keith about this, but was unsuccessful. In order to keep Mark silent they involved him in the cover-up to shut him up. Mark wasn't killed at the time because his services were still needed. He was threatened that if anything came to light everything would fall on him; thus he kept silent for so many years. I don't believe guilt was tearing him apart-- he and Keith were not great friends-- he feared for his own life due to the threat that was sent to Ms. Mary and thats why he called her. The only way to possibly keep himself alive was to go public. I believe if someone hadn't sent Ms. Mary the photographs Mark would have never died. Those photographs were NEVER meant to be released and were very incriminating. This scared the cops involved that the corruption was about to break wide open so they go rid of Mark to cover their tracks. The police would have never went through such great lengths to be deceitful unless they were directly involved. They sent him to a funeral home for immediate embalming because they were trying desperately to avoid an autopsy (even having the funeral home lie and say a closed casket was needed). I think they staged this as a suicide to send a message to the people who had an inside track and knew about whatever Keith and Mark were into. Because if they didn't want to send a message the cover-up would have never been necessary. There are people who know what happened, but are too afraid to speak out. Unlike many of you I do believe that whoever left Ms. Mary those photographs were doing a good deed. Those photographs had the possibility of blowing this case wide open. If they just wanted to taunt her they would have never purposely sent the pictures from different angles and especially the one from behind showing he had leaves and debris on his back. I think a police officer who felt sorry for the family sent the photos to help. I believe this case was never solved because it was an inside job. The police did this. Even going as far to have someone say Keith was depressed on the report.
The elaborate rope work looked like something that someone with military training would do. It was very precise. My heart goes out to the Warren family and it is sad that his mother passed away not knowing, but I believe in the afterlife and I'm sure she is with Keith now. May god rest their souls.

My heart goes out to the Warren family and it is sad that his mother passed away not knowing, but I believe in the afterlife and I'm sure she is with Keith now. May god rest their souls.


Very well said. Welcome to the forum subtle references. :wave:

I'm not sure if I agree with your theory but its certainly possible. I'm inclined to believe that Mark Findlay was involved with the wrong crowd and mentioned Keith's name at random just to get himself out of the loop. Then, after realizing that he may have endangered Keith's life, he frantically went looking for him to warn him, but it was too late.

Mark supposedly said that he helped put Keith in the tree. The "wrong crowd" probably found Keith before Mark could and summoned Mark there to verify what he said. He was probably killed in front of Mark and then they all put him in the tree.

Yes very good post, it could be how things went down but with this case alot of different things could have happened

I think Mark Findley was looking for Keith to warn him not to kill him

Even though they were not good friends something must have went down that involved both of them

Very sad case and like all the other members this case has always stuck with me from the first time I saw it

Also I had never seen the pictures and was not expecting to see that graphic picture in the Jet link, in fact it brought me back to my childhood when I would get scared when the "Update" music would start and I knew you would see a scary sketch or a body being found :eek:

RIP Keith Warren

I think Mark Findley was looking for Keith to warn him not to kill him
Even though they were not good friends something must have went down that involved both of them
i dont think Mark Findley wanted to kill Keith and i think he may have been trying to warn him, but we wont know because Findley is dead too. There is a coverup in this case and unless someone speaks up, it will never be solved.

I have posted on this case before. And I still think that Mark Findley was there the night Keith died, I believe he witnessed what happend to Keith and why. And I think the other persons involved found out that he was gonna "spill the beans" about the whole thing to Keith's mom. And he was killed to silence him because they didn't want the information that he had to come out. I can't imagine what a 19 yr. old college kid could have known that would have gotten him killed; it's just mind boggling! I never could figure out why he never contacted Keith's mom, I mean the guy had a whole month, why wait if he was so desperate to get it off his chest, doesn't make sense to me.

I never could figure out why he never contacted Keith's mom, I mean the guy had a whole month, why wait if he was so desperate to get it off his chest, doesn't make sense to me.

Generally, people that commit a murder or take part in a murder do not feel remorse for it at all. There are some instances when remorse can be felt. I believe in this case, that Mark Findlay was involved with the wrong crowd and pinned something on Keith that Keith did not do. Maybe some thugs or crooked cops confronted Mark about something but he clammed up and blamed it on Keith. Afterward, knowing what he had done, he tried to find Keith ASAP before the "bad guys" could, so that he could warn him and tell him to get out of dodge. The "bad guys" then found Keith and instructed Mark to come and help them dispose of him. Another thing that is telling is that the friend of Keith's who was interviewed int he UM segment said that Keith did not hang out with black males as most of his friend were white males. That would lead credence to the fact that Mark and Keith were not good friend but just acquaintances that knew each other. Mark probably figured he could just pawn it off (whatever "IT" is) on Keith. Hell maybe the "bad guys" cornered Mark and told him they were told that the person they were looking for was a black male that fit his description and Mark then blamed it on Keith.

Mark supposedly got drunk at a party a few months after this happened and told someone that he "helped put Keith in the tree." I have no doubts that Keith was murdered and that Mark was somehow involved either voluntary or involuntary.

Mark may have been used to set Keith up, to get him to the spot the conspiratorial "they" wanted him to be at. Its a very common police technique when you have one criminal rolling over on another, or just an informant telling what they know of a suspect, to have the informer call the suspect and try to get them to meet somewhere. The police then either arrange for the arrest, detaining, or recording of the suspect.

This is just a shot in the dark but for whatever reason Keith was wanted dead, the people who wanted him dead could have threatened Mark with physical harm to himself or his loved ones unless he contacted Keith and asked him to meet him somewhere. Then the conspirators kill him, again threatening Mark in order to get him to assist in the staging of the suicide. This not only ensures Mark's silence because he thinks they'll hurt him, but now he's technically an accessory in the conspiracy execution of a premeditated murder.

Its my opinion that both Keith and Mark were murdered. I think there is a level of police corruption and cover-up, however I don't think it necessarily is connected to the murder. Its possible the police cover up is because they obviously botched something or I’ve seen several cases where I think the police are covering up just to cover their asses on a botched investigation and/or because they suspect wrongdoing by someone in the department. Maybe that is corruption…but a lot of times the institution acts to protect itself as opposed to protecting the rights of an individual (as I believe happened in the obviously staged “suicide” of Keith Warren).

I think there is a level of police corruption and cover-up, however I don't think it necessarily is connected to the murder

It is possible that the murder were covered up to protect an ongoing investigation or to protect informants.

Wouldn't be the first time it's happened. It happened several times with the DEA.

For example, if an informant kills someone, it;s been known to happen where the murder is pushed under the carpet to allow the informant to remain free.

http://www.myspace.com/thosethathavepassed

I was presented info about this case in a class in law school a few months ago. I came across this myspace page from someone who supposedly was a friend of Keith's. Startling this person says that Keith was murdered by police because of his addiction. Then again they got the year of death wrong, but possibly that was the word on the street at the time...that Keith was an addict.


My theory is.. Mark Findlay was involved and or witnessed something that was drug related and involved corrupt police officers. Keith somehow witnessed or found out about this. Mark was tipped off that Keith had to be eliminated for knowing too much and he was probably blackmailed to help. Desperately he wanted to warn Keith about this, but was unsuccessful. In order to keep Mark silent they involved him in the cover-up to shut him up. Mark wasn't killed at the time because his services were still needed. He was threatened that if anything came to light everything would fall on him; thus he kept silent for so many years. I don't believe guilt was tearing him apart-- he and Keith were not great friends-- he feared for his own life due to the threat that was sent to Ms. Mary and thats why he called her. The only way to possibly keep himself alive was to go public. I believe if someone hadn't sent Ms. Mary the photographs Mark would have never died. Those photographs were NEVER meant to be released and were very incriminating. This scared the cops involved that the corruption was about to break wide open so they go rid of Mark to cover their tracks. The police would have never went through such great lengths to be deceitful unless they were directly involved. They sent him to a funeral home for immediate embalming because they were trying desperately to avoid an autopsy (even having the funeral home lie and say a closed casket was needed). I think they staged this as a suicide to send a message to the people who had an inside track and knew about whatever Keith and Mark were into. Because if they didn't want to send a message the cover-up would have never been necessary. There are people who know what happened, but are too afraid to speak out. Unlike many of you I do believe that whoever left Ms. Mary those photographs were doing a good deed. Those photographs had the possibility of blowing this case wide open. If they just wanted to taunt her they would have never purposely sent the pictures from different angles and especially the one from behind showing he had leaves and debris on his back. I think a police officer who felt sorry for the family sent the photos to help. I believe this case was never solved because it was an inside job. The police did this. Even going as far to have someone say Keith was depressed on the report.
The elaborate rope work looked like something that someone with military training would do. It was very precise. My heart goes out to the Warren family and it is sad that his mother passed away not knowing, but I believe in the afterlife and I'm sure she is with Keith now. May god rest their souls.


Hello, checking in. I am curious to know the name of the school and the professor who taught the class. Could you please share the information with me?

Unlike many of you I do believe that whoever left Ms. Mary those photographs were doing a good deed. Those photographs had the possibility of blowing this case wide open. If they just wanted to taunt her they would have never purposely sent the pictures from different angles and especially the one from behind showing he had leaves and debris on his back. I think a police officer who felt sorry for the family sent the photos to help.

One problem with this theory. There was a note left with the photos to Mary that said, "Don't worry. Mark Findley and *another unnamed boy* will be next." If a sympathetic police officer sent those photos to Keith's mother, what was the point of leaving that note? How would telling her that two more boys will soon be killed make her feel any better?

Previously, I had the impression that the crime scene photos were sent to Keith's mom as a misguided attempt to be helpful.

I thought they sort of meant, "Look at what they did to your son. Don't worry, I'm going to make sure that the guys who did this (Mark Findley and *name witheld from the viewers*) will pay with their lives.

Now I'm wondering if the photos were sent as a warning for Keith's mom to stop investigating or else other people will die.

Previously, I had the impression that the crime scene photos were sent to Keith's mom as a misguided attempt to be helpful.

I thought they sort of meant, "Look at what they did to your son. Don't worry, I'm going to make sure that the guys who did this (Mark Findley and *name witheld from the viewers*) will pay with their lives.

Now I'm wondering if the photos were sent as a warning for Keith's mom to stop investigating or else other people will die.

Oh wow. I never thought of it that way before.

I've been searching for ways to publicize this case for years. I can't even begin to explain how overjoyed I was back in '05 to find out there were several others out there putting theories together to help in some way. I have considered several times, traveling to MD to help piece things together, as I want nothing more than to see this case solved. Here are my thoughts:

1) The five pictures were not sent as a sympathetic warning, but rather a violent warning. (obvious) I'm sorry to those who believe otherwise, but you don't send a grieving mother actual photos of her murdered son.

2) Dirt and leaves found on Keith's back and hair are obvious signs that he was lying down before he was hanging.

3) Mark Findley's death was an obvious cover-up. You can also tell there was some extreme despiration and speed to his disposal, a sign that someone was ready for "this thing" to all be overwith.

4) A body is NEVER to be released to a funeral home unless the ME and morgue have absolutely no space for another body. The next of kin MUST be notified of this circumstance before the body is to be transferred.

5) Black males and females make up .01% of the suicide population, a rare but true fact in the medical world. They are the absolute LEAST likely to committ suicide in America.

6) I don't believe this to be racially driven, as the FBI would have snuffed that issue out in a heartbeat. The fact that the detective had a neighbor call Mary tells me instantly that there was a pending investigation and he wanted Mary's number on his phone, not the other way around. Think about it: if the detective went out of his way to call Mary and make a large public effort to meet with her, in his mind, it could have ripped up everything the PD might have been working for.

7) If the body was found within six hours of the time of death, there would have been almost no decomp. Even within two days of his death, the weather in MD is so cool around that time of year, the body would have decomped much slower, definitely still with the ability to have an opened caskett.

8) Any decent lawyer would have blown apart the defense of the mortuary that Mary had previously signed a contract and thus could not press about the embalming that had been done without her consent. There's such a thing a duress, and she had it to the enth degree.

Mastermind and Keith Warren, I would like you to contact me if you're still around. I have a close contact who does documentaries and has submitted to Sundance a few times. If I could get some informational back up, I would like to get this thing out there again full force. Documentaries are the new "newspaper spread" if you know what I mean. I am asking for no money, just facts and time. This is the kind of thing we as citizens have to do to protect possible future Keith Warrens. Please help me as I'd love to help Sherri and the rest of Keith's family.


EMRC... my apology for just responding. The family is very appreciative in your interest. I also need to mention that the first responder on the scene where the body was found was a trained Montgomery county paramedic. The irony of this side of the story is that once is saw the body and the positioning he said he wasn’t going to touch it because he knew it was not a suicide but a staged hanging. He waited until the responding officer arrived and thought because the officer was black that Keith would get his due justice. The officer/detective released the paramedic from the scene. It was not until 6yrs later when the said paramedic was watching local news did he discover that the family was seeking justice and answers. He then reached out to Keith’s mother and signed a sworn affidavit of what he saw and his belief. He actually drew a diagram and wrote out what he saw and how he believed it was murder.

The 911 call was made from a house in neighborhood that Keith lived in. The call came in over the radio as a suicide/body hanging in the basement of the house. When the paramedic arrived at the house he was met by three individuals at the door. The told him that the body was not in the basement but in the wooded area adjacent to the house. The paramedic is then taken to the body by the person who lives in the house (fyi the 3 mentioned went to school with Keith and hung out with him 2 men and 1 female). Once the paramedic walked up on the body he knew immediately it was not a suicide as first called in and said he was not touching the body. None of the 3 individuals were ever questioned by the police and every time Keith's mother or sister tried to get information from them they would shut them out. You can actually see one of the individuals in one of the pictures of the body taken by police. He is standing in the background. He tried to sue Keith's mother when the pictures were released.

I'm working on it : ) Trust me, we're going to crack this case WIDE OPEN. I'm no one special, but I have a lot of love and sympathy for Keith's family, and I SEEK JUSTICE. Anyone who feels they can be of help in some way, CONTACT ME.

I believe that the police were directly involved, period. Too many moments police were involved in to simply try to cover a few messy tracks. I know of cases where the police realize they may have made a few mistakes, and this is not at all a case like those. Sorry.

I've been scared off this case. Looks like I'm not going to be involved with helping anyone after all.

Good Luck to anyone who wants to try.

I've been scared off this case. Looks like I'm not going to be involved with helping anyone after all.

Good Luck to anyone who wants to try.

Care to share who scared ya off? Was it someone on this board?

WTH is going on?

9/30/2010, 11:28 pm, the poster says: I'm working on it. Trust me, we're going to crack this case WIDE OPEN. I'm no one special, but I have a lot of love and sympathy for Keith's family, and I SEEK JUSTICE. Anyone who feels they can be of help in some way, CONTACT ME.

10/2/2010, 1:10 am, the poster says: It's Official. I've been scared off this case. Looks like I'm not going to be involved with helping anyone after all. Good Luck to anyone who wants to try.

What the heck happened in 26 hours to make this person go from finding justice at all costs to being "scared off the case"? Are there still people out there 24 years after the murder, who are trying to keep this case quiet or is this a hoax?

WTH is going on?

9/30/2010, 11:28 pm, the poster says: I'm working on it. Trust me, we're going to crack this case WIDE OPEN. I'm no one special, but I have a lot of love and sympathy for Keith's family, and I SEEK JUSTICE. Anyone who feels they can be of help in some way, CONTACT ME.

10/2/2010, 1:10 am, the poster says: It's Official. I've been scared off this case. Looks like I'm not going to be involved with helping anyone after all. Good Luck to anyone who wants to try.

What the heck happened in 26 hours to make this person go from finding justice at all costs to being "scared off the case"? Are there still people out there 24 years after the murder, who are trying to keep this case quiet or is this a hoax?
Agree TracyLynnS, what's going on???? This is very confusing and so is this case, i want it to be solved, but in all likelyhood it wont be.

Agree TracyLynnS, what's going on???? This is very confusing and so is this case, i want it to be solved, but in all likelyhood it wont be.

The poster who made those statements joined us in March and lists their location as UT. I don't know if they mean Utah or University of Texas or University of Tennessee, or what.

Keith's murder happened in Maryland. That's a pretty far distance from any of those locations for someone to follow and intimidate a random person looking for justice a quarter century later.

If cops or other authorities are involved in the killing, chances are that they've retired by now and may not even be paying attention to discussions regarding Keith's death.

If druggies, dealers, gang members, or other thug types are involved.... well, so many years have passed that they could now be dead (seems like that's near epidemic in this case), in jail or prison, or have fried their brains to the point of forgetting just how culpable they are.

If a friend or acquaintance of Keith's killed him, they've probably moved on with their lives and have tried to disconnect themselves as much as possible.

So, I'm wondering who scared the poster. Is it a morbid prankster, someone involved who's following the case online, or are we getting played?

The poster who made those statements joined us in March and lists their location as UT. I don't know if they mean Utah or University of Texas or University of Tennessee, or what.
Agreed, this is a mystery.
Keith's murder happened in Maryland. That's a pretty far distance from any of those locations for someone to follow and intimidate a random person looking for justice a quarter century later.
very true, i just wish i knew why someone would intimidate someone.
If cops or other authorities are involved in the killing, chances are that they've retired by now and may not even be paying attention to discussions regarding Keith's death.
true.
If druggies, dealers, gang members, or other thug types are involved.... well, so many years have passed that they could now be dead (seems like that's near epidemic in this case), in jail or prison, or have fried their brains to the point of forgetting just how culpable they are.
again, this is true.
If a friend or acquaintance of Keith's killed him, they've probably moved on with their lives and have tried to disconnect themselves as much as possible.
True again, i just dont understand this case and to be honest, it will likely never be solved.

So, I'm wondering who scared the poster. Is it a morbid prankster, someone involved who's following the case online, or are we getting played?
yeah me too, i wonder the same thing.

I have been chatting with "Keith Warren" (poster) off and on for a while about ways to bring this case to light. Last night, I was attempting to throw anyone off my trail who may or may not be still affiliated with what I deem the cover-up of the century.

I was trying to seem pushed out on the boards so I could go full force in real life, undetected. Apparently, none of you took my comment well and so I apologize. I guess I just wanted to have the me here, and the me working on things in public, as two different people.

Does this make any sense? I run the risk of putting my family in danger with the things I am trying to do, so the less people who know who I am, the better.

I promise, I am still on the case, and will be putting a blog site together soon so we can shift things over to the blog. This will also allow me to post updates frequently and lock people out who may not be legit.

I just don't feel 100% safe on this open forum. Make sense? However, I guess I'm out now. I'm all over the place, and I'm sorry for that.

It's Official, I've created the Keith Warren Justice Blog. Below is the link. PLEASE feel free to start posting there, and once again, forgive my lack of trust in you guys, my sincere apologies.

http://keithwarrenjusticesite.blogspot.com

I wasn't exactly sure what was going on so that's why I referred to you as "the poster" and didn't use your screen name when I was discussing the recent circumstances here.

I visited the blog you have set up for Keith. There's a statement there that confuses me. Perhaps I'm not reading it correctly or maybe there is a mistake but it looks like it says that Keith's death was not a homicide. Here's the quote:

Keith Warren was a vivacious young man who's death was ruled a suicide in 1986. Due to several sets of facts and several accounts of friends, witnesses, etc., his death was obviously not a homicide. The problem is, this case lost momentum quickly, which caused it to fall out of the public eye, and mind, leaving Keith's family without a day of justice.

I have been chatting with "Keith Warren" (poster) off and on for a while about ways to bring this case to light. Last night, I was attempting to throw anyone off my trail who may or may not be still affiliated with what I deem the cover-up of the century.

I was trying to seem pushed out on the boards so I could go full force in real life, undetected. Apparently, none of you took my comment well and so I apologize. I guess I just wanted to have the me here, and the me working on things in public, as two different people.

Does this make any sense? I run the risk of putting my family in danger with the things I am trying to do, so the less people who know who I am, the better.

I promise, I am still on the case, and will be putting a blog site together soon so we can shift things over to the blog. This will also allow me to post updates frequently and lock people out who may not be legit.

I just don't feel 100% safe on this open forum. Make sense? However, I guess I'm out now. I'm all over the place, and I'm sorry for that.
Speaking on behalf of the family, the interest in getting answers and JUSTICE for Keith is greatly appreciated. If you go back thru and read my previous post, there is undesputable evidence to show and prove that Montgomery County police department covered up the murder of Keith Warren. Why in this day and age would the mighty justice system in this great nation allow cowards to hide behind there badges? Allow murders to continue to work in "their" department?More than likely retire with pension and live comfortably for the rest of their natural lives. The same individuals who took a sworn oath to protect and serve. The corruptions starts at the police department runs thru the medical examiners office and stops at the graves of Keith Warren and his mother Mary Couey.

Reporter Del Walters did several news reports on this case which aired in 2002. Below is the transcript from the interview Md State Attorney Doug Gansler:

Here is one article regarding Keith Warren's death on the ABC-7.com website. They're based in Washington,DC.



February 11, 2002


TONIGHT THE I-TEAM HAS LEARNED THERE HAVE BEEN NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN ONE OF THIS REGION'S LONGEST-RUNNING MYSTERIES: WHO, IF ANYONE, KILLED KEITH WARREN?

HIS BODY WAS FOUND HANGING IN RURAL MONTGOMERY COUNTY FIFTEEN YEARS AGO. FIVE YEARS LATER, THE POLICE AUTOPSY PHOTOS MYSTERIOUSLY ARRIVED ON HIS MOTHER'S DOORSTEP, AND INTO THE POSSESSION OF THE I TEAM.

NOW A DECADE LATER, IT APPEARS THE LAST CHAPTER MAY HAVE BEEN WRITTEN.

Story:

IT IS ONE OF WASHINGTON'S MOST PERPLEXING MYSTERIES.

DID KEITH WARREN COMMITT SUICIDE, OR WAS HE MURDERED?

AS THE I-TEAM FIRST REPORTED NEARLY A DECADE AGO, HIS BODY WAS FOUND HANGING FROM A TREE IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY. TODAY, KEITH WARREN WOULD BE THIRTY FOUR YEARS OLD.

Mary Couey, Keth Warren's mother: "I have to keep seeking justice until there are some answers."

NOW, AS WAS THE CASE A DECADE AGO, KEITH WARREN'S MOTHER BELIEVES HER SON WAS MURDERED.

Couey: "Oh, it was definitely not suicide. I think it could have been a murder, it could have been homicide, but it was not suicide."

SHE CONTIUES TO POINT TO THE I-TEAM'S ORIGINAL FINDINGS: THAT NO AUTOPSY WAS PERFORMED, WARREN'S ORIGINAL CLOTHES WERE CHANGED, AND THE KNOT USED IN THE HANGING APPEARED TO BE BACKWARDS.

IT WAS THE I-TEAM'S INVESTIGATION THAT LED THE FAMIKLY TO EXHUME WARREN'S BODY, WHERE ELEVATED TOXINS WERE DISCOVERED INSIDE HIS BODY, LEADING SOME TO CONCLUDE HE HAD INDEED BEEN MURDERED.

BUT THAT WAS LONG AGO. NOW THE I-TEAM HAS LEARNED THERE IS NEW LIFE IN CONNECTION WITH THE WARREN CASE. SPECIFICALLY, A GRAND JURY INVESTIGATION EXAMINING SEVERAL QUESTIONS. AMONG THEM, THE ISSUE OF MURDER VERSUS SUICIDE, AND ONE NEW TWIST - DID THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT BOTCH THE CASE ENTIRELY, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SOLVE?

Del Walters: "Does it bother you that if Keith Warren did not take his own life, then there's someone out there who comitted murder?"

Doug Gansler, Montgomery County State's Attorney: "Yes."

IN THIS EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH THE I-TEAM, MONGTROMERY COUNTY STATE'S ATTORNEY DOUG GANSLER CONFIRMED A GRAND JURY HAS INDEED BEEN LOOKING AT THE KEITH WARREN CASE.

Gansler: "We looked at all the material, along with the sheriff, Ray Kight, and decided to reopen the case."

Gansler: "We reopened the case, we used the grand jury, we examined all the leads, we talked to all possible witnesses, and came to a conclusion of inconclusiveness."

Del Walters: "Is the final, bottom line in this case going to be that we just don't know what happened to Keith Warren?"

Gansler: "There are very strong arguments, having looked at everything in this case, that Keith Warren died of suicide. But there are equally strong arguments to suggest that he did not die of suicide, that he was killed or died accidentally and then was put on this tree afterwards."

HE ALSO SAYS THE LIKELY CONCLUSION WILL NOT PLEASE POLICE, AND WILL DO EVEN LESS TO SOLVE THE MYSTERY.

Del Walters: "Is it your opinion that the police botched this investigation?"

Gansler: "Under today's guidelines and procedures, this would have been botched."

Del Walters: "Would you be satisfied if the police simply said, 'We blew it?'"

Couey: "They botched it from day one. That's the problem - it was a botched investigation, and then they attempted to cover it up."

Del Walters: "It's been fifteen years... when does Mary Couey stop?"

Couey: "When my last breath is gone. And then I'll pass it on. It won't stop until there is justice."

Del Walters on-set:

AND SO IT SEEMS CLOSE TO A DECADE AFTER THE I-TEAM DISCOVERED THESE CHILLING PHOTOS, THE QUESTION REMAINS: DID KEITH WARREN TAKE HIS OWN LIFE AS POLICE ORIGINALLY THOUGHT, OR IS THERE STILL A MAN ON THE LOOSE IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY WHO GOT AWAY WITH MURDER AS THE EVIDENCE NOW SUGGESTS?

SADLY, THE BOTTOM LINE SEEMS TO BE THE CASE OF KEITH WARREN WAS BOTCHED FROM THE BEGINNING, AND WILL FOREVER REMAIN UNSOLVED.

What does the state's attorney, Gansler, know that we don't know? He says:

"""There are very strong arguments, having looked at everything in this case, that Keith Warren died of suicide. But there are equally strong arguments to suggest that he did not die of suicide, that he was killed or died accidentally and then was put on this tree afterwards."""

I haven't seen any "strong" arguments for suicide. IMO, it's the scenario that has the least amount of evidence, by far.

Everything I've seen or read shows that the case was a goofed up and covered up murder that could have been an accidental death but was almost certainly not a suicide.

I watched this segment again last night and I have a question for Keith's relative who has been posting in this thread. Forgive me, this might have been covered already but I don't have to time to read through all 8 pages of this thread.

With the photos that were sent to Keith's mother 6 years after his death, there was a threatening note that said, "Don't worry. Mark Findley and _________ will be next." Unsolved Mysteries hid his name.

Could you tell us who this other guy was? Did you know him? Was he a friend of Keith's? How exactly does he fit into all this?

Mark Findley conveniently died shortly after finding out he was targeted in that note. Did the other guy end up dying as well?

I watched this segment again last night and I have a question for Keith's relative who has been posting in this thread. Forgive me, this might have been covered already but I don't have to time to read through all 8 pages of this thread.

With the photos that were sent to Keith's mother 6 years after his death, there was a threatening note that said, "Don't worry. Mark Findley and _________ will be next." Unsolved Mysteries hid his name.

Could you tell us who this other guy was? Did you know him? Was he a friend of Keith's? How exactly does he fit into all this?

Mark Findley conveniently died shortly after finding out he was targeted in that note. Did the other guy end up dying as well?
The Maryland States attorney would like to throw the attention off of how the detective and police officer handled the case from the beginning. If in fact the investigating officer and detective had of followed procedure and did what the tax payer is paying them to do, this discussion would never have happen.

1. Why would they find the need to send the body to the funeral home of their choice? Something as personal as choosing those who will take care of your loved one in their final day is a very personal decision!

2. Why would it take the detective 6hrs to notify the mother her son is deceased, when in fact he had her work number and address for her job at Walter Reed Army hospital?

3. Why would the medical examiner take the information over the phone and not "PHYSCIALLY" examine the body as required by state law?

All of the above occurred within 24hrs of finding the body. What exactly is the Maryland States attorney's office trying to keep covered up? Why can’t they just straight up admit to messing up this case and at the very least try to give answers to the family? I will also post a copy of the death certificate. The document is such a joke.

I watched this segment again last night and I have a question for Keith's relative who has been posting in this thread. Forgive me, this might have been covered already but I don't have to time to read through all 8 pages of this thread.

With the photos that were sent to Keith's mother 6 years after his death, there was a threatening note that said, "Don't worry. Mark Findley and _________ will be next." Unsolved Mysteries hid his name.

Could you tell us who this other guy was? Did you know him? Was he a friend of Keith's? How exactly does he fit into all this?

Mark Findley conveniently died shortly after finding out he was targeted in that note. Did the other guy end up dying as well?
Mary did not share the information with her daughter or family. For a time Mary recieved threatning phone calls and did not want to endanger anyone else.

on the official document sign by the Medical Examiner at the time lied and said he was on the scene he has since changed his story and he also stated on his report that he spoke directly to Keith's sister Sherri and she said he was missing for several days. Sherri was not in the state of MD at the time of death or the report. I'm trying to post a copy of the document however it is to large. There also no noted medical information on the report

You're so right, and thank you for catching that : ) You have saved me a lot of grief. I just fixed it. I was up very late that night putting up the blog, so i'm sure there might be more errors. Thank you again for your post.

This was in reference to the mistake I made on the blog saying Keith's murder was "obviously not a homicide" when in fact, I meant to say "obviously not a suicide." I want to make sure everyone's clear that I KNOW this could NOT HAVE BEEN A SUICIDE.

Please make sure and go to the blog if you're interested in this case, we need all the help we can get. I need people to post there too.

www.keithwarrenjusticesite.blogspot.com

Thanks to everyone who still cares about this case after all these years.

Sorry...

I meant to put in my last post that I just sent Del Walters an email two days ago and am awaiting a reply. I'm interested to see what he thinks about all this some 24 years later.

Wish me luck.

Mark Findley conveniently died shortly after finding out he was targeted in that note. Did the other guy end up dying as well?
that's my question, did the other guy end up dying as well????? we know Findley did.

They don't know if he is still alive or not. "keith warren" (the person with that username) has said many times that Keith's mother never told anyone who the other person was because she did not want to endanger anyone else's life.

This case bothers me to no end.

For the folks in earlier pages saying the FBI would surely take a lynching case, that's not necessarily true. I used to live in Kentucky, and we still have lynchings happening there to Hispanic men. Nothing is ever done to solve those cases or even to identify the men.

What does the state's attorney, Gansler, know that we don't know? He says:

"""There are very strong arguments, having looked at everything in this case, that Keith Warren died of suicide. But there are equally strong arguments to suggest that he did not die of suicide, that he was killed or died accidentally and then was put on this tree afterwards."""

I haven't seen any "strong" arguments for suicide. IMO, it's the scenario that has the least amount of evidence, by far.

Everything I've seen or read shows that the case was a goofed up and covered up murder that could have been an accidental death but was almost certainly not a suicide.

I was wondering the same thing myself. Admittedly, these boards are not a scientific poll, but this is one of the only (if not THE only) murder or suicide case wherein everyone agrees it was not a suicide. Put simply, there does not appear to be ANY evidence of suicide.

I don't have a theory in this case myself. I am positive that Keith did not commit suicide. I am positive LE bungled the case. Beyond that, so many theories are possible that it's almost fruitless to speculate. Sadly, I do agree with the DA that the original bungling likely rendered this case unsolvable (although we can hope this is wrong).

One question I have for those talking up a drugs angle: everything seems to show Keith was a good kid from a good family. Sure, those kids, like all kids, can fool around a bit with drugs, etc., but there's a big difference between a kid who might smoke a little grass or try other drugs socially a little and someone whose drugs involvement would get him killed. Without any evidence that Keith might had have a problem, I don't quite understand the focus on drugs. If drugs were involved, the theory advanced by mastermind, wherein keith's name could have been dropped w/o his actual involvement seems more plausible then keith as informant or addict.

As for LE: while having no doubt that they screwed up, I can't say whether it was nefarious or not. The problem with screw-ups is that what started small can quickly snowball given LE's general reluctance to admit mistake. Whether that's the case, or if they are actively covering something up, I can't say. Frankly, neither portrays them well, especially if race had any factor in their actions.

I haven't seen anything that suggests Keith was killed specifically b/c of his race, but it can't be denied that police might have been less inclined to investigate throughly because they figured few would care about some black kid dying - this is often true today, and I'd only imagine was even more the case 25 years ago in suburban areas.

I spoke to Sherri last night and we both have a question for the board. The episode that was aired yesterday showed different editing then before with different scenes and different commentary. Does anyone know how often they go in an change the segments?

It's Official, I've created the Keith Warren Justice Blog. Below is the link. PLEASE feel free to start posting there, and once again, forgive my lack of trust in you guys, my sincere apologies.

http://keithwarrenjusticesite.blogspot.com
Sherri would like to say Thank you to poster "EMRC" for developing the blog spot to help seek justice for her brother Keith Warren. If you have time please visit the blog spot http://keithwarrenjusticesite.blogspot.com and support the efforts to help bring closure. Sherri has agreed to provide new information to post on the site. Information that has never been released to the public. Sherri is also working on possibly changing legislation in the state of Maryland that deals with how police and state officials handle the body of the deceased individuals. Sherri knows that she very well may never find out what the police didnt want her or her mother to know about Keith's life or death, but maybe help another family not have to endure the pain and agony that her family has dealt with in the corruption and cover up from Montgomery County police department and its officials.

If you would like to see unreleased official documentation
Please go to http://keithwarrenjusticesite.blogspot.com/ and find information that has never been released concerning Keith's murder and how Montgomery County police department in Maryland got away with murder. You will find out information that has never been shared with the public.

I would be highly suspicious of an anonymous caller (using the UM "hot tip" line?) claiming that they have torn down satanic altars and that this is a satanic and ritualistic killing. Especially with that person claiming that the doctors, judges, and councilmen in the area are high priests in black magic.

Such organized activity is very, very rare. I can think of only a few believable cases, such as the drug dealers in Mexico who were killing and sacrificing tourists to please the demon who made their drug business profitable. (More likely, they were using the torture and murder to intimidate cohorts and witnesses to keep them from talking to the police about the illegal drug trafficking.)

There are some people who practice santeria. Their sacrifices and rituals seem to use animals rather than humans, but I have heard about a small group (in the eastern US) who robbed a grave to get human bones for their rituals.

I also don't see any "ritualistic" configuration of the rope. It just seems that it was a crude pulley system using a fork in the tree and and the trunk of another tree to hold it in place. I'd be VERY surprised to find out high ranking, satan worshipping, officials were behind this.

EDIT to add:

I just read the post on Keith's site, previous to the one claiming satan worship.

Apparently, one tip a week, that's called into the UM hotline, will be posted on Keith's site to generate discussion and possibly tips.

"Satanic Panic" is frequently discussed in UM fan circles. I think the "hot tip" phone caller is pranking the official Keith site, using the most extreme stereotype of the Satanic Panic that UM often portrayed in the reenactments of unsolved crimes such as The Ellender murders, Kurt McFall's death, Sally McNelly and Shane Stewart murders, etc.

While this case certainly has the hallmarks of police insensitivity and certain acts of malfeasance with regard to the handling of the body and contacting the family, I just don't see where a vast conspiracy would have or could have taken place here.

The time and effort that some are alleging the police put into covering up or or as some are claiming committing the crime, far exceeds the amount of time that simply burying the body or transporting it to a nearby urban area and dumping it would've taken. And those two actions would have done nothing to arouse suspicion in this young man's demise.

Without knowing this young man's mental or emotional state,how his home life was, how his personal life was going or anything of that nature, it's impossible to rule out suicide. Granted this was a very bizarre and detailed suicide ( and I hate to say it, may have even been autoerotic asphyxiation) but that's just with appears to be, a suicide.

If you take out the elements of home life, mental state etc.... It dose not dismiss the fact the investigating officer and detective destroyed evidence, with-held evidence and provided no investigation into the death of Keith Warren. If you can simply explain away his death as a suicide then simply explain why the mis-handling of evidence, inaccurate information place on official documentation and the lack of care from the police department.

If you take out the elements of home life, mental state etc.... It dose not dismiss the fact the investigating officer and detective destroyed evidence, with-held evidence and provided no investigation into the death of Keith Warren. If you can simply explain away his death as a suicide then simply explain why the mis-handling of evidence, inaccurate information place on official documentation and the lack of care from the police department.

His home life and his mental state would be key reasons why he would commit suicide, so you really can't take them out of the equation can you? And while errors were committed, some of them possibly criminal ( which would explain anything that appeared to be a cover-up)none of them mean that this man didn't commit suicide.

There's nothing there to explain away, except the police misconduct/malfeasance and why what was obviously a suicide ( or an accident)is being conflated into a homicide/cover-up.

Oh come on, there is no way he committed suicide. :rolleyes:

His home life and his mental state would be key reasons why he would commit suicide, so you really can't take them out of the equation can you? And while errors were committed, some of them possibly criminal ( which would explain anything that appeared to be a cover-up)none of them mean that this man didn't commit suicide.

There's nothing there to explain away, except the police misconduct/malfeasance and why what was obviously a suicide ( or an accident)is being conflated into a homicide/cover-up.

There's no way Keith Warren committed suicide. Sure, its possible but not in this case or in the manner in which the coroner said he died. 100% of the details in this case point toward murder. Nothing, other than what the police say, points toward suicide.

There's no way Keith Warren committed suicide. Sure, its possible but not in this case or in the manner in which the coroner said he died. 100% of the details in this case point toward murder. Nothing, other than what the police say, points toward suicide.

Well we must be watching different segments, rather than this one, because I see this as either an accidental death or suicide.

1) Not knowing his mental or emotional state, there's no one way anyone can rule out suicide as being a cause of death.

2) Which details point towards murder?

3) Who murdered him and why?

4) This all took place relatively near Washington DC; why not simply shoot Mr. Warren, or stab him and then dumped his body in or around Washington DC? Given the number of homicides in that area. It would have attracted far less attention than hanging him in the woods directly behind his home.

And since there's been a lot put forward as there being a cover-up on this case, wouldn't that have been much easier to cover-up?

5) I think that UM muddied the waters by introducing the statement of his friend that he was looking for him and that he would be the next person to die. Perhaps his friend was mentally and emotionally disturbed and saw "omens" in the death of his friend. Or perhaps he was trying to call attention to himself.

Most likely his friend was involved in some type of drug or criminal activity and met his end due to his involvement in that.

Given that there are almost no hanging murders in the United States annually ( that is, since the end of the civil rights era) it would be highly unlikely that this that this incident is one.

The poster, "Keith Warren" provided us with info from the independent autopsy that was performed years after Keith's death. Mastermind then did some research and posted the info for us:



Toulene-found in paint thinner, used as an inhalant drug
xylene- used in rubber and leather. Known as an inhalant drug.
ethlybenzene-useed in plastics
dichloroethane-used in pesticides and fire extinguishers. Known to be used as an inhalant drug.
TCE-used as an anesthetic

Nearly all the drugs in that report are known inhalant drugs.

I doubt that they would be found naturally all together. Nor would Keith use them all at once!!!

No way could someone use all those drugs and stay concious to even sit up, much less hang himself.



IIRC, even the ME who made that report agreed that Keith would have been in no condition to hang himself with those chemicals in his system.

Later, there was a post here that quoted a news article interviewing Doug Gansler, the Montgomery County State's Attorney. He's part of the group of officials who decided to reopen the case to determine if it could have been murder after all. He agrees that the investigation was botched and actually uses that word.

But he goes on to say: "There are very strong arguments, having looked at everything in this case, that Keith Warren died of suicide."

After looking at the toxicology findings, I don't see how he could say there are "strong arguments" for suicide. IMO, after that information was publicized, there can only be suspicion of possible suicide, maybe accidental suicide, but definitely not a strong argument for deliberate, unaided suicide.

And given the deaths Michael Hutchence and David Carradine we shouldn't leave out autoerotic asphyxiation. Who knows how many "suicides" started off as something like that.

And given the deaths Michael Hutchence and David Carradine we shouldn't leave out autoerotic asphyxiation. Who knows how many "suicides" started off as something like that.

That reminds me... Today, I viewed the police photos linked earlier in this thread, for the first time in a long while... they are extremely disturbing, which is why I try to avoid looking at them.

I noticed that Keith's knees seem to be bent with his feet possibly being slightly behind/under him. In other words, it doesn't exactly look like a full hanging with his feet unable to touch the ground.

Has anyone else looked at those photos to determine if Keith's body was actually completely hanging? Would a person bent on deliberate suicide hang himself in a way that allows him to change his mind, and stand up?

Keith's mother said that the knot on the noose that was used was "backward". In the photos, it looks like the knot is at the back of his neck. Is that what she meant?

Is it common for people who engage in the kind of sexual activity mentioned to use a dangerous knot or do they use something they can slip off easier if things go too far? And if Keith was participating in that activity, someone had to be there to put his clothes back in order. The photos show him fully clothed with his shirt buttoned and pants zipper intact.

In David Carradine's case, it looks like his hands are bound and are connected to something above his head. I can't see if there's a binding around his neck. Any other pictures I've seen involving this activity (admittedly they are very few) the bindings seem to be different, according to each participant's preference, I guess. Not one of them shows a person hanging by the neck in a manner that looks like a lynching using that same kind of thick rope.

That reminds me... Today, I viewed the police photos linked earlier in this thread, for the first time in a long while... they are extremely disturbing, which is why I try to avoid looking at them.

I noticed that Keith's knees seem to be bent with his feet possibly being slightly behind/under him. In other words, it doesn't exactly look like a full hanging with his feet unable to touch the ground.

Has anyone else looked at those photos to determine if Keith's body was actually completely hanging? Would a person bent on deliberate suicide hang himself in a way that allows him to change his mind, and stand up?

Keith's mother said that the knot on the noose that was used was "backward". In the photos, it looks like the knot is at the back of his neck. Is that what she meant?

Is it common for people who engage in the kind of sexual activity mentioned to use a dangerous knot or do they use something they can slip off easier if things go too far? And if Keith was participating in that activity, someone had to be there to put his clothes back in order. The photos show him fully clothed with his shirt buttoned and pants zipper intact.

In David Carradine's case, it looks like his hands are bound and are connected to something above his head. I can't see if there's a binding around his neck. Any other pictures I've seen involving this activity (admittedly they are very few) the bindings seem to be different, according to each participant's preference, I guess. Not one of them shows a person hanging by the neck in a manner that looks like a lynching using that same kind of thick rope.

Not sure if there's any "commonality" in how people perform BDSM rituals. I guess "different strokes" and all... (not trying to make light of a tragic situation)

And far as how people commit suicide, there are as many ways as the imagination will allow. People in jail who hang themselves (besides the staged murders...which is another story) usually do so in manner in that their feet and legs are often on the ground.

If Keith's clothes were in..."disarray" in a manner that might have embarrassed his family, perhaps the police officers "rearranged them." That's not too hard to imagine that happening as the police also took the liberty of making funeral arrangements for the family BEFORE notifying the family of the death.

And as far as a lynching....the main questions would be "who" and "why?" While lynchings DO occur, what are the odds of someone being lynched directly behind his own home? Or that lynching not being accompanies by a note or some other evidence letting someone know why it was done? Or occurring in an area where a majority of the population is African American?

And who would have done it? Who would have taken the time (given the potential of being spotted while working) to rig a complex rope/knot setup to hang a person? While using gloves (no fingerprints were found) and not leaving any evidence of their presence?

The real question is:Where did the rope come from? If the rope was at the victim's home, then this case solves itself,doesn't it?

Not sure if there's any "commonality" in how people perform BDSM rituals. I guess "different strokes" and all... (not trying to make light of a tragic situation)

And far as how people commit suicide, there are as many ways as the imagination will allow. People in jail who hang themselves (besides the staged murders...which is another story) usually do so in manner in that their feet and legs are often on the ground.

If Keith's clothes were in..."disarray" in a manner that might have embarrassed his family, perhaps the police officers "rearranged them." That's not too hard to imagine that happening as the police also took the liberty of making funeral arrangements for the family BEFORE notifying the family of the death.

And as far as a lynching....the main questions would be "who" and "why?" While lynchings DO occur, what are the odds of someone being lynched directly behind his own home? Or that lynching not being accompanies by a note or some other evidence letting someone know why it was done? Or occurring in an area where a majority of the population is African American?

And who would have done it? Who would have taken the time (given the potential of being spotted while working) to rig a complex rope/knot setup to hang a person? While using gloves (no fingerprints were found) and not leaving any evidence of their presence?

The real question is:Where did the rope come from? If the rope was at the victim's home, then this case solves itself,doesn't it?

To address your comments concerning clothing..... They were not cloths own by Keith. We are talking the end of July. Keith had on long sleeve shirt and pants that are clearly too tight. If the investigating officer was remotely looking after the best interest of the family then why did it take him at least 6hrs to notify the next of kin? Cut the tree down with out notifying the family after the case was closed? order no autopsy? send the body to the morgue and not the funeral home? Obviously the investigating officer knew what items of clothing to destroy and what to give back. The clothing on Keith's body were not the same items given back to family. You have not taken the time or effort to read the information given before you give your opinion. The items that Keith had on his body were eventually destroyed by the police and the reason given to the family by the investigating officer was that they had to much decomposition on them and had to be destroyed. As mention in previous postings Keith had on white tennis shoes in the pictures, the investigating officer gave back to the family brown constructions boots that were in fact own by keith as mention int the UM piece. The items the actress is looking through in the segment are the actually items given back to the family.

Secondly, the family never received the complete rope but portions of it.

My third point a medically trained individual the paramedic who was first on the scene before police said in a sworn statement that the body was strung up not hanging down and that from what he viewed it was clearly "not" a suicide.

To address your comments concerning clothing..... They were not cloths own by Keith. We are talking the end of July. The clothing on Keith's body were not the same items given back to family. You have not taken the time or effort to read the information given before you give your opinion. The items that Keith had on his body were eventually destroyed by the police and the reason given to the family by the investigating officer was that they had to much decomposition on them and had to be destroyed. As mention in previous postings Keith had on white tennis shoes in the pictures, the investigating officer gave back to the family brown constructions boots that were in fact own by keith as mention int the UM piece. The items the actress is looking through in the segment are the actually items given back to the family.

Secondly, the family never received the complete rope but portions of it.

1) Ok...different clothing was returned to the family,rather the clothes that he was wearing in the crime scene photos. Isn't most likely explanation for that just an error at the coroner's office? Or frankly,if the clothes that he had on were expensive and missing, theft?

What does the wrong clothing "prove" about the manner of death?

2) The reason that I mentioned the rope wasn't that it was not given back to the family. My question was whose rope was it? If the rope was something that belonged to the family or friend, then it's highly unlikely that this was a homicide and more likely the suicide or accidental death that it appears to be.

And I have seen the UM segments several times and read a few accounts online. Is there on this thread that wasn't covered in them? And,if so, what's the origin of that information?

Answers:

2) Body never made it to corners office. Police had access and control of all articles of clothing.

As for the rope, you give great reasoning as to the connection to the situation. The only problem is conveniently enough the police did no investigation. Maybe if someone went to the house where the 911 call first came from and possibly ask questions or even did a visual of the house maybe this discussion would not exist

Answers:

2) Body never made it to corners office. Police had access and control of all articles of clothing.

As for the rope, you give great reasoning as to the connection to the situation. The only problem is conveniently enough the police did no investigation. Maybe if someone went to the house where the 911 call first came from and possibly ask questions or even did a visual of the house maybe this discussion would not exist

1) You need to rewatch the segment. The body went to the morgue and then it went to the funeral home that the police chose for the family. The clothes would have been removed either at the morgue or at the funeral home. How would get into police custody until they been removed from the body?

2) The rope: Regardless of who did an investigation, the police or a private investigator, the origin of the rope would crucial to determining whether or not this was a murder or a suicide/accident. If the rope belonged to the Warren family or a friend, then it would likely indicate suicide/accident.

If it did not, then this would indicate that this might be something suspicious.

1) You need to rewatch the segment. The body went to the morgue and then it went to the funeral home that the police chose for the family. The clothes would have been removed either at the morgue or at the funeral home. How would get into police custody until they been removed from the body?

2) The rope: Regardless of who did an investigation, the police or a private investigator, the origin of the rope would crucial to determining whether or not this was a murder or a suicide/accident. If the rope belonged to the Warren family or a friend, then it would likely indicate suicide/accident.

If it did not, then this would indicate that this might be something suspicious.
The body went straight to the funeral home chosen by the police. It was the funeral home vehicle that picked up the body. When Keith's uncle arrived in MD that same night to claim the body the police department directed him to the funeral while at the same time giving him the items of clothing. FYI the county morgue is located in Baltimore MD, which is about 45min drive one way from the scene. The corner has since admitted his office did not physically view the body but received the information over the phone from investigation officer.

The rope did not come from the home of the Warren/Couey family. Keith was missing for 24hrs prior to his body being found. His body was found on a Thursday and the last time his mother saw him alive was the Tuesday prior. Also the corner gave himself away when he said he had spoken to victims sister and the sisters stated that the victim was depressed and missing for several days. The only sister Keith has is Sherri and to this day she is adamant that no one from the corners office spoke to her. In fact on the day the report was written Sherri was in another state over 200 miles away.

The body went straight to the funeral home chosen by the police. It was the funeral home vehicle that picked up the body. When Keith's uncle arrived in MD that same night to claim the body the police department directed him to the funeral while at the same time giving him the items of clothing. FYI the county morgue is located in Baltimore MD, which is about 45min drive one way from the scene. The corner has since admitted his office did not physically view the body but received the information over the phone from investigation officer.

The rope did not come from the home of the Warren/Couey family. Keith was missing for 24hrs prior to his body being found. His body was found on a Thursday and the last time his mother saw him alive was the Tuesday prior. Also the corner gave himself away when he said he had spoken to victims sister and the sisters stated that the victim was depressed and missing for several days. The only sister Keith has is Sherri and to this day she is adamant that no one from the corners office spoke to her. In fact on the day the report was written Sherri was in another state over 200 miles away.

1) What's the source of your information on that? According to the segment the body was transported to the morgue and then to a funeral home.

2) What's your source of information on the origin of the rope?

3) What's with all of the extra details? Maybe the coroner made a mistake, which given the numbers of murders,suicides,accidents and unattended deaths in the Metro Washington DC area, is certainly believable. Or maybe they were lying to cover up for something that they didn't do,were supposed to have done but didn't.

Bureaucracies make mistakes EVERY minute of every of day. Part of the reason is that they don't higher the best and brightest people, primarily because they can't afford to them well. Expecting perfection from a government office is ridiculous and a recipe for disappointment.

1) What's the source of your information on that? According to the segment the body was transported to the morgue and then to a funeral home.

2) What's your source of information on the origin of the rope?

3) What's with all of the extra details? Maybe the coroner made a mistake, which given the numbers of murders,suicides,accidents and unattended deaths in the Metro Washington DC area, is certainly believable. Or maybe they were lying to cover up for something that they didn't do,were supposed to have done but didn't.

Bureaucracies make mistakes EVERY minute of every of day. Part of the reason is that they don't higher the best and brightest people, primarily because they can't afford to them well. Expecting perfection from a government office is ridiculous and a recipe for disappointment.
My source is Sherri Warren

1) What's the source of your information on that?...

"Keith Warren" has been posting here for a while. He/she is a friend of the Warren family. Most people on the UM message board are very respectful and non-confrontational with victim's friends and family because we want them to feel welcome here. We care about the victims and want their cases to be solved. I think it's perfectly reasonable to ask questions, and hopefully posters connected to cases are willing to answer. However, I feel like you need to back off a little (not that KW can't defend him/herself). I can guarantee that KW knows more about the case than you do.

"Keith Warren" has been posting here for a while. He/she is a friend of the Warren family. Most people on the UM message board are very respectful and non-confrontational with victim's friends and family because we want them to feel welcome here. We care about the victims and want their cases to be solved. I think it's perfectly reasonable to ask questions, and hopefully posters connected to cases are willing to answer. However, I feel like you need to back off a little (not that KW can't defend him/herself). I can guarantee that KW knows more about the case than you do.

Really? Sooo...anybody can come on here, say that they are anybody,not provide proof of their identity and everything they say is the truth? That's a pretty low standard...even for an Internet forum.

If this person is who he/she claims to be...why not simply prove that? What purpose is served by spreading potentially spurious and/useless information on here? Other than to allow a strange person to get their "jollies" from running people in circles?

I've been asking questions...not claiming facts. The facts that I have used I can support w/ research and sources. That's a common standard in most places. If asking people to back up claims that present as factual is "insulting", then what's the use of bothering to ask anyone anything?

It says right in the segment that the body wasn't sent to the morgue.

It says right in the segment that the body wasn't sent to the morgue.
I would like to thank "Aspostapler" for validation and "Nowheregirl" for support. My question is how would one "prove" who they are or not? For someone to make light of the tragedy of a love ones death is a unspeakable act and one I have not engaged in. Some people like to create and live in controversy. Sadly the Warren/Couey family have battled continued unjustifiable doubt from the Montgomery County police department such as the one from "cocytus" for the past 24yrs. No matter how much information they provided to the officials they still got now where. Maybe half the energy put into trying to prove the family wrong was putting into bringing justice for the family back 24yrs ago then we would not be having this conversation. Just as I have answered "cocytus" questions with factual information he/she continue to challenge the accuracy. This mirrors the situation of how Mrs. Couey (Keith's mom) continued to bring information to the police and Mrs.Couey continued to get stonewalled. This is so sad.

I would like to thank "Aspostapler" for validation and "Nowheregirl" for support. My question is how would one "prove" who they are or not? For someone to make light of the tragedy of a love ones death is a unspeakable act and one I have not engaged in. Some people like to create and live in controversy. Sadly the Warren/Couey family have battled continued unjustifiable doubt from the Montgomery County police department such as the one from "cocytus" for the past 24yrs. No matter how much information they provided to the officials they still got now where. Maybe half the energy put into trying to prove the family wrong was putting into bringing justice for the family back 24yrs ago then we would not be having this conversation. Just as I have answered "cocytus" questions with factual information he/she continue to challenge the accuracy. This mirrors the situation of how Mrs. Couey (Keith's mom) continued to bring information to the police and Mrs.Couey continued to get stonewalled. This is so sad.

Hmm...
Even if personal privacy were a concern,which apparently it is not because you are claiming to be a friend of the family when no one asked your identity, couldn't you provide:

1) The name and contact information of a police officer looking into this case?
2) A police report number.
3) The name and phone number of newspaper reporter looking into the case.
4) The name and address of the funeral home that apparently mishandled this situation.
5) Details of the exact "mistakes" that are not shown in the segment nor revealed in the newspaper accounts.

Any of those would and could prove that the "factual "claims that you are making are valid and not either fabrications, or mistakes of your own. They would also not reveal your identity in any manner as they would easily be available to any family member or concerned friend.

The surest sign that someone is attempting to deceive is that they become defensive,sarcastic or angry when they are asked simple questions. If asking you provide a credible source (or sources) for the "facts" (not opinions) that you have posted is seen as being "disrespectful" to the victim or their family, then doesn't that likely indicate that you are person that is concerned w/ being "disrespected" and not they?

The bottom line is: Keith Warren's death occurred very close to the nation's capital. It's almost certain the Department of Justice has looked into this case, given the publicity it has aroused, for potential civil rights violations. If DOJ has not decided to come into the case, isn't that simply a sign that while they may believe that local police mishandled some aspects of it, that they agree w/ the conclusions reached?

Hmm...
Even if personal privacy were a concern,which apparently it is not because you are claiming to be a friend of the family when no one asked your identity, couldn't you provide:

1) The name and contact information of a police officer looking into this case?

Officer Luther Leverette Wheaton/Glenmont Police department

2) A police report number.

forthcoming

3) The name and phone number of newspaper reporter looking into the case.

washington times, Channel 7 new (stated in previous post), Jet magazine etc

4) The name and address of the funeral home that apparently mishandled this situation.
Collins funeral home 500 University Blvd West, Wheaton Md


5) Details of the exact "mistakes" that are not shown in the segment nor revealed in the newspaper accounts.

Any of those would and could prove that the "factual "claims that you are making are valid and not either fabrications, or mistakes of your own. They would also not reveal your identity in any manner as they would easily be available to any family member or concerned friend.

The surest sign that someone is attempting to deceive is that they become defensive,sarcastic or angry when they are asked simple questions. If asking you provide a credible source (or sources) for the "facts" (not opinions) that you have posted is seen as being "disrespectful" to the victim or their family, then doesn't that likely indicate that you are person that is concerned w/ being "disrespected" and not they?

The bottom line is: Keith Warren's death occurred very close to the nation's capital. It's almost certain the Department of Justice has looked into this case, given the publicity it has aroused, for potential civil rights violations. If DOJ has not decided to come into the case, isn't that simply a sign that while they may believe that local police mishandled some aspects of it, that they agree w/ the conclusions reached?

I have no reason to be defensive or sarcastic. I believe you are projecting.

"Keith Warren" has been posting here for a while. He/she is a friend of the Warren family. Most people on the UM message board are very respectful and non-confrontational with victim's friends and family because we want them to feel welcome here. We care about the victims and want their cases to be solved. I think it's perfectly reasonable to ask questions, and hopefully posters connected to cases are willing to answer. However, I feel like you need to back off a little (not that KW can't defend him/herself). I can guarantee that KW knows more about the case than you do.

I completely agree with this. We want friends and relatives of the victims to feel comfortable coming on here to discuss their loved ones case and not feel uneasy about doing so. If someone says they are a friend or family member, we take it at face value. I personally do not need any proof of who they say they are and there is no reason to pressure them for said proof.

I have no reason to be defensive or sarcastic. I believe you are projecting.

I have no reason to be sarcastic as I believe that this case was either an accidental death or a suicide.

1) There is no "Glenmont Police Department" in Maryland. There is a Wheaton-Glenmont Police Station
Here's the link:http://maryland.hometownlocator.com/maps/feature-map,ftc,2,fid,593202,n,wheaton-glenmont%20police%20station.cfm

There's a Montgomery County Police Department. Is that what you meant?

2) A quick Google search reveals the only Maryland police officer named Luther Leverette is actually a FORMER officer.

Here's the link:
http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-525818.html

3) Jet Magazine has this 1994 story: (WARNING: There are graphic photos of the victim displayed on here.)

http://books.google.com/books?id=Mz0DAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA38&lpg=PA38&dq=keith+warren%2Bjet+magazine&source=bl&ots=My8Mo9XHsP&sig=QPk45Ur350rpRHrPOlheh90J6E8&hl=en&ei=oAX5TL67NdDNnget6MyBCQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CBgQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false

There's nothing that comes up after 1994 related to Jet.

Channel 7 News (assuming that you mean WJLA) has nothing on their website nor in their available archives.
Here's their link:http://www.tbd.com/abc7/

4) There is a Francis J. Collins Funeral Home at the address you've given. But there's no information on the Internet (no newspaper accounts,articles,etc) linking Mr. Warren to this business.

Which is very odd as you would have thought someone would have written or created something linking the two given the time that has passed since this occurred.

I completely agree with this. We want friends and relatives of the victims to feel comfortable coming on here to discuss their loved ones case and not feel uneasy about doing so. If someone says they are a friend or family member, we take it at face value. I personally do not need any proof of who they say they are and there is no reason to pressure them for said proof.

If they are who they claim they are, then they shouldn't have any problems if someone asks them simple questions. I can see if probing personal questions were asked, but proof of your identity is hardly that.

The bottom line is: Keith Warren's death occurred very close to the nation's capital. It's almost certain the Department of Justice has looked into this case, given the publicity it has aroused, for potential civil rights violations. If DOJ has not decided to come into the case, isn't that simply a sign that while they may believe that local police mishandled some aspects of it, that they agree w/ the conclusions reached?

Proximity to DC would have little to nothing to do with whether or not DOJ would investigate; headlines shown in the segment show the FBI declined to investigate the case; without seeing the files, the reason for this declination is unknown; although I think the fact that local L/E would likely have been very hostile probably didn't help.

Realize too that not all the available information on this case is going to be on-line; although I don't share your belief that Keith either committed suicide or died in an accident, i can understand your desire to verify, but don't take the inability of a quick google search to find something as proof it's not out there or posters aren't who they say they are.

Really? Sooo...anybody can come on here, say that they are anybody,not provide proof of their identity and everything they say is the truth? That's a pretty low standard...even for an Internet forum.

If this person is who he/she claims to be...why not simply prove that? What purpose is served by spreading potentially spurious and/useless information on here? Other than to allow a strange person to get their "jollies" from running people in circles?

I've been asking questions...not claiming facts. The facts that I have used I can support w/ research and sources. That's a common standard in most places. If asking people to back up claims that present as factual is "insulting", then what's the use of bothering to ask anyone anything?

This post (http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showthread.php?t=257929) lists most of the family/friends/witnesses/victims involved in UM cases that have visited the this message board. They have provided invaluable information and updates on their respective cases. If you would like that to STOP please, keep demanding that everyone keep providing indisputable proof that they are who they say they are (Would you like Social Security Numbers? Maybe a copy of their passports?).

What I think is insulting is that you clearly did not read the entire thread (or else you would have known who "Keith Warren" was) and then had the audacity to act like you know more about the case than they do. You don't. You may have different opinions about the case, but you do not know more about the case. "Keith Warren" has been posting here since 2005. You have been posting for a couple of months. WHO ARE YOU to come on this board and dispute their identity?

I think our main objective here is to NOT REVICTIMIZE the victims and their family and friends. Gathering information is secondary to that as far as I'm concerned. If that makes us all dupes, so be it. I'm willing to take that tradeoff.

Proximity to DC would have little to nothing to do with whether or not DOJ would investigate; headlines shown in the segment show the FBI declined to investigate the case; without seeing the files, the reason for this declination is unknown; although I think the fact that local L/E would likely have been very hostile probably didn't help.

Realize too that not all the available information on this case is going to be on-line; although I don't share your belief that Keith either committed suicide or died in an accident, i can understand your desire to verify, but don't take the inability of a quick google search to find something as proof it's not out there or posters aren't who they say they are.

1) The proximity to Washington DC WOULD have had a great deal to do w/ influencing lawmakers (and thus DOJ) into looking into this case. And the publicity from this case alone would have prompted someone in DOJ to at least have perused information available to them and have pointed the obvious civil rights violations, if any existed.

Hostility from local law enforcement would have been the least of DOJ's concerns, and , in fact, would have likely prompted them to look into the case, if for no other reason than to show up the "local yokels." Added pressure from the Congressional Black Caucus and civil rights groups (which seems to have waned) would have made not investigating this at some level in DOJ potential political or career suicide.

2) I, of course, realize that information about this case is going to be in a variety of places,including online. As this case is almost 25 years old, the major resources for any information are going media accounts,eyewitness statements, police reports (which aren't usually available on "open cases") and plain gossip.Since I'm not in Maryland, the Internet is MY best source of obtaining information. If someone has a copy of the police report, I'll gladly pay for a reproduction and shipping costs if they'd like to send it to me.

Even if I knew the posters on here personally, I wouldn't take them at their word that they "knew" details that aren't in regularly available sources of information just because they said they did. The easiest way to get "scammed" is to believe something w/o proof.

3) Law enforcement, whose credibility has taken a beating in this case, has investigated it thoroughly and found nothing to change their earliest theory: Keith Warren committed suicide.
If other people choose not to believe that finding, that's their right. But if they go further than that and start accusing people of committing crimes in an attempt to "cover up" a possible "murder", then their credibility takes a beating if they don't provide any proof of their allegations.

Frankly, as the segment was presented it appears that the most likely "suspects" in Keith Warren's death (if it was not a suicide) would have to be the "Black males" who, according Mr. Warren's "friend" were "looking for" Mr. Warren.
Even this sounds odd as if Mr. Warren was murdered (which I don't believe" whoever "killed" him knew where he lived as his body was found behind his home and another Google search has turned no "Black on Black" lynchings in recent history.

The next likely suspects could be the "White males" that Mr. Warren was acquainted w/, who, also oddly, apparently declined to be interviewed for this segment. Perhaps they also agree w/ the findings of the police or perhaps they are somehow "involved."

Given that almost 25 years have passed w/ apparently few if any "leads" and no apparent motive, maybe there should be a serious of review of this case in its entirety. After all, since if Mr. Warren was "murdered", his killers obviously wanted his body to be found and wanted to send a "message" to somebody. Maybe a review of the available information could determine who (if anybody) that was.

This is Sherri Warren, one of my closest friends has taken on the cause to keep hope alive that the truth will be revealed by posting on this site. I would like to personally thank all those on this site who continue to hold on to the hope that the truth will be revealed. I truly believe that there is someone out there who has the information that would bring to justice those responsible for Keith's death or even those responsible for the cover up of the events leading to Keith's death. No matter what Keith was involved in prior to his death, it will not excuse law enforcement for the cover up that they participated in that has blocked my family from the truth to exactly what happen and to allow those whose took his life to get away with it. I pray for justice for my brother everyday. My mom went to her grave fighting for the truth always believing that she would one day know who and what circumstance took her only son's life. The holidays are very hard on me living with the thought that whoever took my brothers life or was involved in the cover up continues to live on with the comforting thought that they got away with MURDER.

This is Sherri Warren, one of my closest friends has taken on the cause to keep hope alive that the truth will be revealed by posting on this site. I would like to personally thank all those on this site who continue to hold on to the hope that the truth will be revealed. I truly believe that there is someone out there who has the information that would bring to justice those responsible for Keith's death or even those responsible for the cover up of the events leading to Keith's death. No matter what Keith was involved in prior to his death, it will not excuse law enforcement for the cover up that they participated in that has blocked my family from the truth to exactly what happen and to allow those whose took his life to get away with it. I pray for justice for my brother everyday. My mom went to her grave fighting for the truth always believing that she would one day know who and what circumstance took her only son's life. The holidays are very hard on me living with the thought that whoever took my brothers life or was involved in the cover up continues to live on with the comforting thought that they got away with MURDER.

Ma'am, if you are Sherri Warren, then I'm sorry for your family's loss and I hope that you are able to enjoy the holidays despite all that has happened.

Not to sound indelicate, but given that almost 25 years have passed since this has occurred and almost all of the investigating officers as well as some witnesses have retired,passed away or left the area, what type of resolution are you looking for this in this case?

Do you have a website? Is there any recent information about this matter?

1) The proximity to Washington DC WOULD have had a great deal to do w/ influencing lawmakers (and thus DOJ) into looking into this case. And the publicity from this case alone would have prompted someone in DOJ to at least have perused information available to them and have pointed the obvious civil rights violations, if any existed.

Hostility from local law enforcement would have been the least of DOJ's concerns, and , in fact, would have likely prompted them to look into the case, if for no other reason than to show up the "local yokels." Added pressure from the Congressional Black Caucus and civil rights groups (which seems to have waned) would have made not investigating this at some level in DOJ potential political or career suicide.

FBI did look into the case; they declined to pursue it. What the rationale for this was, I couldn't say.

I wouldn't put much faith in Reagan's DOJ to have been overly concerned with civil rights violations or pressure from groups not allied with the administration.

I don't think LE did the best job investigating this case; whether because of a deliberate cover-up, or just incompetence, I don't know. I suspect the latter more then the former simply because there has been no evidence, that I know of, that would really give any motive to a deliberate cover-up/conspiracy and LE incompetence (followed by CYA) is, sadly, not uncommon.

Having fresh eyes look into the case would be, IMO, useful. There are questions here that proper investigation might clear up easily - with the time that's elapsed, I doubt any perpetrators (if, indeed a crime was committed) could be found, but you never know.

Ma'am, if you are Sherri Warren, then I'm sorry for your family's loss and I hope that you are able to enjoy the holidays despite all that has happened.

Not to sound indelicate, but given that almost 25 years have passed since this has occurred and almost all of the investigating officers as well as some witnesses have retired,passed away or left the area, what type of resolution are you looking for this in this case?

Do you have a website? Is there any recent information about this matter?
I apologize for the delay in responding my friend brought your question to my attention. I’m not sure if you have ever experienced death of a close love one. Keith was my older brother my protector. For my first 17yrs he was there for me by my side. No matter what or who came along outside of my immediate family Keith had my back. He and my mom were my biggest supporters. Most important for me is the cause of death listed on his death certificate, currently it is listed as suicide. That is my first priority to change that. The second is what the police have listed as a suicide on this case. I want it change to homicide. If my case were an isolated situation, shows such as “Forensic Files”, “Autopsy”, “Cold Case”, “First 48” etc. would not be so popular. Dr. Baden and Dr. G would not have the notoriety that they enjoy now. If the police did the job they were paid to do back in ’86 with my mother’s tax dollar your question would not be warranted. The simple act of going to the house questioning the individuals at the house from where the 911 call came from and asking “why was the call originally received by the paramedic that the body was in the basement of this house”? Question 2, “how did the body get from the basement to the wooded area and then on the tree?” Those two questions alone would more than likely brought some sort of justice to my family. Keith was a person who was loved. Just as Adam Walsh, Martha Moxley, even Megar Evers death ‘s were solved because their loved ones never gave up and total strangers believed in justice for the family. I will continue to have hope that the truth will be revealed. If you Google you will find countless numbers of murders solved 5, 10, 20, 30 years later. I want law enforcement to admit they did not do their job and to hold the lead detective and investigating officer accountable for their actions. I want an apology from Montgomery County in writing addressed to my mother for the pain and suffering she endured for 23yrs at the hand of the police department. I would also like an explanation from them as to why the dishonesty and lack of care.

FBI did look into the case; they declined to pursue it. What the rationale for this was, I couldn't say.

I wouldn't put much faith in Reagan's DOJ to have been overly concerned with civil rights violations or pressure from groups not allied with the administration.

I don't think LE did the best job investigating this case; whether because of a deliberate cover-up, or just incompetence, I don't know. I suspect the latter more then the former simply because there has been no evidence, that I know of, that would really give any motive to a deliberate cover-up/conspiracy and LE incompetence (followed by CYA) is, sadly, not uncommon.

Having fresh eyes look into the case would be, IMO, useful. There are questions here that proper investigation might clear up easily - with the time that's elapsed, I doubt any perpetrators (if, indeed a crime was committed) could be found, but you never know.

I agree that this case was mishandled by the police. While I don't think that the mishandling rose to the level of committing any criminal acts against Mr. Warren, I do think that the police definitely committed acts of gross misconduct in the handling of his remains, the crime scene and by sending out the crime scene photos in the manner that it was done.

This is what happens when you have a group of people w/ a great deal of power and little oversight. This is why I have no problems w/ strict controls on the police and having a civilian review board to monitor their actions. I have never seen (nor heard) of a situation where not subjecting the authorities to scrutiny has ever been beneficial for a society.

I'd forgotten about the part where the original call stated that the body was in the basement of a house, but he was found in a completely different situation than what was reported to officials.

How the heck could authorities overlook such a thing? That descrepancy alone demands investigation.

You can go to keithwarrenjusticesite.blogspot.com. Every week will be a new post with unreleased information concerning this case. You can also post comments, concerns, tips etc. Last post was on 12/06. Please be mindful we are in the beginning steps of the blog. Sherri would like to thank you in advance for your support and concern.

You can go to keithwarrenjusticesite.blogspot.com. Every week will be a new post with unreleased information concerning this case. You can also post comments, concerns, tips etc. Last post was on 12/06. Please be mindful we are in the beginning steps of the blog. Sherri would like to thank you in advance for your support and concern.
On keithwarrenjusticesite.blogspot.com there is a new post with actual police photos of Keith on tree. A warning... The photo's are not for the faint of heart.

i knew keith. i went to high school with him and sometimes hung around with him. that said, i want nothing more than the warren family to have justice and closure. this can only happen if answers come. the only way to get answers is to ask the right people the right questions. yes, this has been done and still answers dont come forth. why? thats what we call a cover-up. regardless of the circumstances behind the death of keith warren, he was still murdered and no authority seems to care; not the police, not our governor and not those in charge. well guess what? we the people are in charge arent we. with enough people behind us we can get the answers we seek. there has been a facebook movement to find justice for keith and his family. if youre on facebook go to his profile: http://www.facebook.com/keith.w.warren and become his friend. from there we can grow this into maybe getting justice.

thanks, jeff

I don't think the killers would have taken the photos. Why would they do it in the first place? why would they take that many pictures at all angles. Who would the photos be for? Why risk having that evidence around? Why did they have a camera with them?

I think the photos are official police photos that were taken at the scene. I think the sender of the photos was a symnpathetic person in law enforcement that wanted to warn the family about digging into the case.
they were actual crime scene photos, taken by the police because there was no medical examiner on the crime site.

http://www.myspace.com/thosethathavepassed

I was presented info about this case in a class in law school a few months ago. I came across this myspace page from someone who supposedly was a friend of Keith's. Startling this person says that Keith was murdered by police because of his addiction. Then again they got the year of death wrong, but possibly that was the word on the street at the time...that Keith was an addict.


My theory is.. Mark Findlay was involved and or witnessed something that was drug related and involved corrupt police officers. Keith somehow witnessed or found out about this. Mark was tipped off that Keith had to be eliminated for knowing too much and he was probably blackmailed to help. Desperately he wanted to warn Keith about this, but was unsuccessful. In order to keep Mark silent they involved him in the cover-up to shut him up. Mark wasn't killed at the time because his services were still needed. He was threatened that if anything came to light everything would fall on him; thus he kept silent for so many years. I don't believe guilt was tearing him apart-- he and Keith were not great friends-- he feared for his own life due to the threat that was sent to Ms. Mary and thats why he called her. The only way to possibly keep himself alive was to go public. I believe if someone hadn't sent Ms. Mary the photographs Mark would have never died. Those photographs were NEVER meant to be released and were very incriminating. This scared the cops involved that the corruption was about to break wide open so they go rid of Mark to cover their tracks. The police would have never went through such great lengths to be deceitful unless they were directly involved. They sent him to a funeral home for immediate embalming because they were trying desperately to avoid an autopsy (even having the funeral home lie and say a closed casket was needed). I think they staged this as a suicide to send a message to the people who had an inside track and knew about whatever Keith and Mark were into. Because if they didn't want to send a message the cover-up would have never been necessary. There are people who know what happened, but are too afraid to speak out. Unlike many of you I do believe that whoever left Ms. Mary those photographs were doing a good deed. Those photographs had the possibility of blowing this case wide open. If they just wanted to taunt her they would have never purposely sent the pictures from different angles and especially the one from behind showing he had leaves and debris on his back. I think a police officer who felt sorry for the family sent the photos to help. I believe this case was never solved because it was an inside job. The police did this. Even going as far to have someone say Keith was depressed on the report.
The elaborate rope work looked like something that someone with military training would do. It was very precise. My heart goes out to the Warren family and it is sad that his mother passed away not knowing, but I believe in the afterlife and I'm sure she is with Keith now. May god rest their souls.
i think you have it exactly correct. mark turned keith over to whoeven killed him. i dont think keith was involved with these guys because i knew keith. what i do think is mark was in a lot of trouble with the wrong people and he used keith as his scapegoat. he either used keiths name as an alias on named him as an accomplice to whatever got them mad at mark to begin with. everyone, including marks parents, knew that mark was a "lost cause." even after his death his folks seemed to fully accept the account that was given to them and seemed relieved. mark was eliminated because he knew too much and was a loose cannon to whoever did this.

that said, why did the MCPD drop the ball? there are several theories about this. some think they were paid off. why not? 1986 is the year crack came to twon and there was a lot of cash floating around. another theory is that keith was just another dead black kid in a mostly white, rich county so who would miss him? why spend the time and resources to solve something that would be difficult when the scenario of suicide was already set up for them? either way, a severe injustice has been done to this family and the memory of keith.

I see that this one has its way back into discussion.

Let's see:

1) Why would anybody take time during the day to lynch someone when a bullet is faster and cheaper?

2) Why of all the places to do it would they do it behind his own home?

3) Why is any discussion of Mr. Warren having committed suicide automatically dismissed? Many people commit suicide every day and only a relative few meet the criteria of " we should have known?"

4) If Mr. Warren was "murdered" who did it and why?

5) There are a lot of allegations of LE being involved in some type of "conspiracy" to murder this man. Is there any PROOF of this or is this all just conjecture?

I see that this one has its way back into discussion.

Let's see:

1) Why would anybody take time during the day to lynch someone when a bullet is faster and cheaper?

2) Why of all the places to do it would they do it behind his own home?

3) Why is any discussion of Mr. Warren having committed suicide automatically dismissed? Many people commit suicide every day and only a relative few meet the criteria of " we should have known?"

4) If Mr. Warren was "murdered" who did it and why?

5) There are a lot of allegations of LE being involved in some type of "conspiracy" to murder this man. Is there any PROOF of this or is this all just conjecture?
do you actually read any of the posts? those of us who knew keith knew he wouldnt do something like this. yes, sometimes kids kill themselves. it happens and could have happened to keith but it doesnt look that way. why are you so blond to actual facts?

to answer your questions cocytus:

1. he didnt die from hanging or if he did he was unconscious or immobile. he had an almost lethal dose of a combination of chemicals in his body that would have either killed him or rendered him almost unable to move. this was determined years after his death in an autopsy performed because of questions raised. the ME stated that a man with as much of this stuff in him couldnt do this and it was six years after his death that he still had these huge concentrations in his body. a hanging might get noticed as a suicide, while a bullet would have to be investigated as a murder.

2. proximity to his house. why does it matter where it happened? most murders do occur in or near the victims home. if he was killed in the apartment development where he lived wouldnt it be easiest to place the body in the woods instead of driving and dumping it somewhere?

3. while suicide is always a possibility it isnt in this case. theres just too much evidence pointing at foul play. the before mention drugs in his system, the way he was hung (who ties a rope to the base of one tree, then loops it around the base of a smaller tree, then slings it up not far enough to hang freely and then hangs themselves from there. the first responder EMT said it was a staged hanging. keith had leaves all over his back which would indicate he was on his back on the ground, perhaps because he was dragged. of course since there was NO INVESIGATION they didnt look for drag marks), the clothes he was wearing werent his: in the crime scene pictures keith is wearing white tennis shoes, too tight pants and a long sleeved shirt in july (keith always wore boots. we even gave him a hard time about this. he even wore boots when he played basketball. i dont think he even owned a pair of white tennis shoes). if thats not enough to make you think somethings wrong with this nothing will convince you.

4. who knows who murdered him. isnt that why we are here discussing this? there are theories and some of them sound awfully good but we will probably never know because the initial investigation was bungled so badly.

5. there is no proof of criminal wrong doing by MCPD but the way they handled this investigation was a travesty. my theory... keith was just another black kid. it looked enough like a suicide to satisfy the responding officer. i could be wrong, they might have been involved. remember that 1986 was the year that crack came to town. maybe keith was involved with the wrong people, probably not. most likely mark findley was and used keiths name when it was convenient for him. thats why i think keith was murdered and why mark was eventually killed.

by the way... my name is jeff rupp and i went to john f kennedy high school in wheaton, maryland with keith. i graduated a year before him but we were friends. i knew him at least ten years before he was killed. there is no "glenmont police station" but there is a montgomery county police station in the glenmont/wheaton area and thats the jurisdiction where this murder occurred. do you need any other information cocytus?

do you actually read any of the posts? those of us who knew keith knew he wouldnt do something like this. yes, sometimes kids kill themselves. it happens and could have happened to keith but it doesnt look that way. why are you so blond to actual facts?

to answer your questions cocytus:

1. he didnt die from hanging or if he did he was unconscious or immobile. he had an almost lethal dose of a combination of chemicals in his body that would have either killed him or rendered him almost unable to move. this was determined years after his death in an autopsy performed because of questions raised. the ME stated that a man with as much of this stuff in him couldnt do this and it was six years after his death that he still had these huge concentrations in his body. a hanging might get noticed as a suicide, while a bullet would have to be investigated as a murder.

2. proximity to his house. why does it matter where it happened? most murders do occur in or near the victims home. if he was killed in the apartment development where he lived wouldnt it be easiest to place the body in the woods instead of driving and dumping it somewhere?

3. while suicide is always a possibility it isnt in this case. theres just too much evidence pointing at foul play. the before mention drugs in his system, the way he was hung (who ties a rope to the base of one tree, then loops it around the base of a smaller tree, then slings it up not far enough to hang freely and then hangs themselves from there. the first responder EMT said it was a staged hanging. keith had leaves all over his back which would indicate he was on his back on the ground, perhaps because he was dragged. of course since there was NO INVESIGATION they didnt look for drag marks), the clothes he was wearing werent his: in the crime scene pictures keith is wearing white tennis shoes, too tight pants and a long sleeved shirt in july (keith always wore boots. we even gave him a hard time about this. he even wore boots when he played basketball. i dont think he even owned a pair of white tennis shoes). if thats not enough to make you think somethings wrong with this nothing will convince you.

4. who knows who murdered him. isnt that why we are here discussing this? there are theories and some of them sound awfully good but we will probably never know because the initial investigation was bungled so badly.

5. there is no proof of criminal wrong doing by MCPD but the way they handled this investigation was a travesty. my theory... keith was just another black kid. it looked enough like a suicide to satisfy the responding officer. i could be wrong, they might have been involved. remember that 1986 was the year that crack came to town. maybe keith was involved with the wrong people, probably not. most likely mark findley was and used keiths name when it was convenient for him. thats why i think keith was murdered and why mark was eventually killed.

by the way... my name is jeff rupp and i went to john f kennedy high school in wheaton, maryland with keith. i graduated a year before him but we were friends. i knew him at least ten years before he was killed. there is no "glenmont police station" but there is a montgomery county police station in the glenmont/wheaton area and thats the jurisdiction where this murder occurred. do you need any other information cocytus?
In additon until there is closure you best bet it will continue "to find its way back into the discussion board".....

In additon until there is closure you best bet it will continue "to find its way back into the discussion board".....

In 1999, the State's Attorney's Office for Montgomery County agreed to reopen the case. They could not do a thorough investigation all these years later with evidence missing, but they did the best they could. The case even went to Grand Jury. We cannot know what took place in the Grand Jury, because by law, those proceedings are confidential. The conclusion was that all these years later, there was not enough evidence to prove the case one way or the other. Doug Gansler, who was State's Attorney at the time, and is now Attorney General for Maryland, stated on camera (WJLA investigative report with Del Walters) that the original investigation was not thorough, and that for that reason we may never know what happened. However, the hope is that someone who saw what happened will come forward. The State's Attorney's office stated in 2001, after the Grand Jury investigation, that legitimate questions remain, and that while the case is inactive at this point, it remains open, and they will be happy to investigate any new, legitimate leads. Also, FYI, in 2003 the law frim of Steptoe & Johnson appealed to the Maryland Medical Examiner to change the cause of death from "suicide" to "undetermined," which is the least the family deserves, given they did not have an option to do an autopsy before Keith was embalmed. As far as I know, the Medical Examiner's office never replied in writing, but they did tell me over the phone they are very familiar with the case, and that their policy is that unless there is new physical evidence, they will not change the cause of death. However, there is perhaps a venue by which a Judge could change the ruling. We have to explore whether this is an option worth pursuing. Any lawyers out there want to weigh in or volunteer? If so, I would be happy to help. Most of all, my love goes out to Keith's Mom, who died in 1999, and to Keith's sister.

it's impossible to rule out suicide. Granted this was a very bizarre and detailed suicide ( and I hate to say it, may have even been autoerotic asphyxiation) but that's just with appears to be, a suicide.
At first it seemed like suicide and even Keith's mom believed it, BUT things changed, i seen the pictures (thanks emrc and whoever put the pictures up), they are VERY disturbing and scary/sad to look at, BUT it looks as if he was drugged before hung, i dont think it's suicide and it's smells of cover-up, hopefully we get some answers, i dont think it was suicide, if it was, why not tie the rope to a bigger tree??? why not just shoot yourself??? why make this a tough tie to tree suicide???? Add to it, why is Mark Findlay also dead??? kinda strange in my book. i think Keith was killed (motive why is unknown) and Mark was there when Keith died and then Mark was killed because i think he would've told on the killer or killers.

by the way, if Sherri does get on this site or anyone talks to her, tell her i hope this case is solved and we get some answers.

This is Sherri Warren (Keith's sister)and I wanted to share my thoughts today with this board. I am not a frequent poster on here. My good friend decided they would be my voice to help get closure for me and my family and they are the ones who put the previous information up. It dawned on me today, if you think about it who holds the entities, that hold us accountable for our actions, accountable for theirs? The thought and premise is to use the network and web to update the situation, to show how the state of Maryland local and state government everyday for the last 25yrs has allowed someone to get away with murder and turn their backs on my family. It is to also let those involved know that me and my family are not going away. We are in desperate need of help. This situation could happen to you or someone you know. You have a black man strung up on tree in 1986, you have physical evidence that was admittedly destroyed by local law enforcement, you have an additional questionable death surrounding this situation, and you have crime scene photo's which clearly show evidence of cover-up.What more would you need if you were in law enforcement to re-investigate, re-open or at the least care about Keith Warren. My family and friends of Keith Warren are working hard to put as much information out to show that this is not speculation but FACT! My family needs YOUR help in getting the information out to those in the national media. Please share your ideas, comments and concepts. My family is open to any and all suggestion. My family believes the local media is hesitant to cover this story due to political connections. That is why we have to now step outside of Maryland and show how utterly ridiculous it is for the Maryland judicial system to ignore this situation hoping that it will go away. I become frustrated but I will not stop we will continue to put the STATE OF MARYLAND and MONTGOMERY COUNTY on BLAST!.... There are others victims of the Maryland state medical examiner in the 80's and 90's and we will find them and join with them to expose the inaccuracy and laziness of that office. We want everyone to know that as you sit comfortably in your house, office, car wherever you may be you are just a moment in time from your life being changed and damaged by those sworn into office to protect and serve. Whether or not the police were directly involved why wont they try to do right? Their silence is just as damaging as the crime of putting Keith on the tree. I invite you to review the information given listed below on Keith W Warren, this is a case of a lynching that was ruled as a suicide, in Montgomery County Maryland in 1986. This is a conspiracy that extends to the highest ranking government office's in the State of Maryland. There is much information, that shows this suicide is NOT the TRUTH! There is a Facebook (Keith W Warren) campaign to get this case re-opened and re-investigate. My mom passed in '09 and and I watched her fight the last 23yrs of her life trying to get help from those who are in the position to give it. But all she got was ignored and disrespected. This July will be the 25th anniversary of Keith's death. This story was profiled on Unsolved Mysteries as you know, Jet Magazine, as well my mom was interviewed several times on the local ABC news channel 7. Your help is greatly needed. Below are the links to the above mentioned video's. I ask you to view the information and give your opinion of what you think happen. Why did the police department do so much to cover it up? Why wont the state of Maryland help my family and re-open this case. If you have any ideas to help this family please post. Also please visit Keith Warren Justice Site. Be warned the official police pictures secretly given to the family of Keith strung up on the tree are posted on that site. I appreciate your time and energy.



http://tinyurl.com/4rv9s9s,
http://tinyurl.com/4h5xsvj,
http://tinyurl.com/4hpj8uy,
Keith Warren Justice Site

__________________

If you have any ideas to help this family please post...
Sherri, I'm curious if you've heard about the Civil Rights Cold Case Project (http://coldcases.org/). I have been hearing about them on the news lately. It sounds like they focus on "Civil Rights Era" cases, assuming that means prior to the 1980s, but I wonder if they would be willing to look into Keith's death.

I also read a book about the Vidocq Society (http://www.vidocq.org/), which is a volunteer group of (professional) investigators who assist in cold cases. Usually, they hear cases brought to them by law enforcement, but also sometimes by victims' families.

I also wonder if the University of Maryland has a journalism department and if one of the professors would be willing to look into Keith's case and have his/her students assist with the investigation.

You may have already tried all of these avenues. I'm just throwing out ideas off the top of my head. God bless you and your family. I hope that justice is served for Keith. It has been far too long.

Sherri, I'm curious if you've heard about the Civil Rights Cold Case Project (http://coldcases.org/). I have been hearing about them on the news lately. It sounds like they focus on "Civil Rights Era" cases, assuming that means prior to the 1980s, but I wonder if they would be willing to look into Keith's death.

I also read a book about the Vidocq Society (http://www.vidocq.org/), which is a volunteer group of (professional) investigators who assist in cold cases. Usually, they hear cases brought to them by law enforcement, but also sometimes by victims' families.

I also wonder if the University of Maryland has a journalism department and if one of the professors would be willing to look into Keith's case and have his/her students assist with the investigation.

You may have already tried all of these avenues. I'm just throwing out ideas off the top of my head. God bless you and your family. I hope that justice is served for Keith. It has been far too long.
I really appreciate your help and suggestions. I have not tried Vidocq Society, or Maryland. I am open to any and all suggestions. I will definitely look into it.

Please go to http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/help-keith-warren-find-justice/ and sign the online petition to get this case re-open. Our goal is to make our number by the 25th anniversary of Keith's death July 30, 2011 and to show those in position of judicial power in the State of Maryland that they will have to finally acknowledge their role and responsibility in the crime of a young black man strung up on the tree in 1986.

We have officially launched the website. On the site you will find photo's, official documents, videos, and all information related to the case it is a one stop shop. Please go and read how utterly ridiculous the disrespectful the State of Maryland and Montgomery County has treated this family. Your time and energy is greatly appreciated.

We have officially launched the website. On the site you will find photo's, official documents, videos, and all information related to the case it is a one stop shop. Please go and read how utterly ridiculous the disrespectful the State of Maryland and Montgomery County has treated this family. Your time and energy is greatly appreciated.

Wow, those crime scene photos are pretty harrowing :eek: ! I cannot imagine what it would have been like for Keith's poor mother to suddenly find those on her doorstep one day.

Anyway, keep up the good work at getting this case out there and never give up. Hopefully, someday, there will be justice!

Is anyone else in this thread really annoyed by cocytus? I can't believe the level of disrespect he's shown towards Keith's sister and Keith's untimely death. I don't know whether he's doing it intentionally or if he's just that ignorant.

Like, just look at him. Asking questions that have well already been answered or questions that serve no relevance to the case, and then questioning each and every answer by saying that such and such is just hearsay or so and so can't be verified. Then he wants Sherri Warren to prove her identity to him. This is such rubbish.

I know in every lengthy thread discussion there's always that one person trying to be non-conformist and supporting the side of a case that simply can't be supported by factual evidence to gain attention and stand out, but this guy is just trying way too hard.


Is there a user ignore function on this website? If there is, please show me how.

Is anyone else in this thread really annoyed by cocytus? I can't believe the level of disrespect he's shown towards Keith's sister and Keith's untimely death. I don't know whether he's doing it intentionally or if he's just that ignorant.

Like, just look at him. Asking questions that have well already been answered or questions that serve no relevance to the case, and then questioning each and every answer by saying that such and such is just hearsay or so and so can't be verified. Then he wants Sherri Warren to prove her identity to him. This is such rubbish.

I know in every lengthy thread discussion there's always that one person trying to be non-conformist and supporting the side of a case that simply can't be supported by factual evidence to gain attention and stand out, but this guy is just trying way too hard.


Is there a user ignore function on this website? If there is, please show me how.

I think most everyone on this board would agree with how rude, annoying and disrespectful cocytus was. I did confront him when he was being rude to one of the Red Dixson's relatives a few months ago and he told me he was leaving the board. I thanked him and he hasn't been back since. As far as ignoring someone. If you click on his name it will bring you to his profile page. Above where you can click on sending him a pm or email it says 'add him to your ignore list'. Click on it.

I think most everyone on this board would agree with how rude, annoying and disrespectful cocytus was. I did confront him when he was being rude to one of the Red Dixson's relatives a few months ago and he told me he was leaving the board. I thanked him and he hasn't been back since. As far as ignoring someone. If you click on his name it will bring you to his profile page. Above where you can click on sending him a pm or email it says 'add him to your ignore list'. Click on it.

When I saw that you had posted in this thread, I thought you were going to be telling me to tone it down and keep it cool. I'm so glad I saw this instead.


On the subject of cocytus, good ****ing riddance. I've seen him do this on multiple cases too--the guy is a grade a troll.

When I saw that you had posted in this thread, I thought you were going to be telling me to tone it down and keep it cool. I'm so glad I saw this instead.


On the subject of cocytus, good ****ing riddance. I've seen him do this on multiple cases too--the guy is a grade a troll.

He was always taking an odd position. Typically it was a case where there was a victim who a lot of the board felt sympathy for, and from what I could see he liked to take a position where he basically theorized what happened to them was their own fault. I get the feeling it was often to annoy people.

He sounds like the type of guy who when a girl gets raped he basically acts like its their fault because they were wearing a short skirt or something.

The truth is, sometimes you have to show compassion towards someone who has been a victim regardless of how much you think its their fault what happened to them. Yeah I know there are some people who have this complex about looking smarter than everyone else and who are obsessed with 'cry wolf' types of scenarios when you are talking about crime victims.

Its just reality though, sometimes the importance of showing sympathy to those who have been through something bad needs to outweigh the fear of falling for a 'cry wolf' scenario and looking dumb.

I did confront him when he was being rude to one of the Red Dixson's relatives a few months ago and he told me he was leaving the board. I thanked him and he hasn't been back since.

That explains why we haven't heard from him in months. But, I do agree that its for the best that he doesn't post anymore as he did come off as confrontational.

That explains why we haven't heard from him in months. But, I do agree that its for the best that he doesn't post anymore as he did come off as confrontational.
yeah true, i wasnt fond of how that poster treated some people, i didnt talk with the poster much as i tend to come to this site sometimes and dont come back sometimes, anyways, i hope this case gets re-opened and it should, i just wish a higher authority would get involved and find out what happened.

I see that this one has its way back into discussion.

Let's see:

1) Why would anybody take time during the day to lynch someone when a bullet is faster and cheaper?

2) Why of all the places to do it would they do it behind his own home?

3) Why is any discussion of Mr. Warren having committed suicide automatically dismissed? Many people commit suicide every day and only a relative few meet the criteria of " we should have known?"

4) If Mr. Warren was "murdered" who did it and why?

5) There are a lot of allegations of LE being involved in some type of "conspiracy" to murder this man. Is there any PROOF of this or is this all just conjecture?


1) a lynching is longer, extends the pain, and since several people were involved- a kangaroo court of people could inform keith of his wrong doings while slowly killing him.

2) In the segment, these group of people were looking for him. Quite possibly, they were somehow informed as to where he lived. Heck, they might have even used findley to help lure him into the wooded area.

3) family tendency to deny suicide. However, suicide rates among black males is signifigantly lower than white males.

4) if only findley could tell his side.

5) remember, this happened in the eighties. The status quo to see someone hanging is probably thinkinng a suicide occured. they avoided investigating keiths social circle.......what did mark findley know? What did keiths teachers and neighbours think of him? If keith committed suicide, why not do it at home?


***** in the segment, keiths friend said most of his friends were white. I am guessing keith lived in a mostly white street in DC. Maybe findley played the whole it was the other ***** on the street causing problems angle. He probably got a group of people really mad at keith. why would findley do this??? Being from a middle class black family, keith was probably seen as an easy target.

Hey everyone, I wanted to give you a heads up that there is a new show debuting on Investigation Discovery called "The Injustice Files". It premiers later this month and one of the cases being profile is that of Keith Warren. This is excellent news for Keith's family and his case as the last time it was prominently featured was almost twenty years ago on Unsolved Mysteries. Check out the link below...

http://investigation.discovery.com/tv/injustice-files/cases/case-summaries-03.html

Thanks for that info, Hambone! What good news that Keith's story is finally going to get some much needed attention.

Hey everyone, I wanted to give you a heads up that there is a new show debuting on Investigation Discovery called "The Injustice Files". It premiers later this month and one of the cases being profile is that of Keith Warren. This is excellent news for Keith's family and his case as the last time it was prominently featured was almost twenty years ago on Unsolved Mysteries. Check out the link below...

http://investigation.discovery.com/tv/injustice-files/cases/case-summaries-03.html

Thanks for sharing. I just wish his mother had some answers about who killed him and why before she died.

If you see the real pics of the hanging, it's obvious to anyone that it was a murder.

It wouldn't surprise me if:

1) Keith had knowledge of some shady dealings and was killed to keep him from implicating people in the police who might be taking money from the drug trade.

2) He got caught up with the wrong crowd and his murder was an initiation into a drug gang. The cult thing wouldn't surprise me either as there has been talk of ritualistic sacrifices of young Black men for years.

CBW

Thanks for sharing. I just wish his mother had some answers about who killed him and why before she died.

Hello everyone... I wanted to update you on new information Sherri (Keith's sister received last week) This report is from a toxicologist Dr. Mohammed Ali Al-Bayati Ph.D., DABT, DABVT Toxicologist & Pathologist:

Abstract:
On July 31, 1986, Keith Warren, a 19-year-old black male, was found hanging from a
small tree in a park in Silver Spring, Maryland. Police and the County Medical Examiner
ruled Keith’s death a suicide and his body was sent to Collins Funeral Home in Silver
Spring for embalming without performing an autopsy.
Suspicious events led the family to exhume Keith’s body on May 24, 1994 and Dr.
Isidore Mihalakis performed the autopsy of Keith’s body. High levels of 1, 1, 1-
Trichloroethane (TCE) and 1, 1-Dichloroethane (DCE) were found in Keith’s blood,
brain, liver, kidney, and muscles. Xylene, ethylbenzene, and toluene were also detected in
these tissues but at low concentrations. Mihalakis stated that the cause of death was
undetermined. My investigation in this case reveals the followings:

1) Keith had a lethal level of TCE and a toxic level of DCE in his blood, brain, liver, kidney, and muscles. The concentrations and the pattern of TCE and DCE distribution in tissues indicate that Keith received these chemicals at about 1-2 hours prior to his death via ingestion and they were likely mixed with alcoholic drinks. The estimated ingested doses of TCE and DCE in Keith’s case are 94.94 g (70.85 mL) and 21.48 g (18.28 mL), respectively. The ingestion of high doses of TCE and DCE lead to vomiting, diarrhea, central nervous system (CNS) depression, and aspiration pneumonia. Mihalakis examined H & E stained sections of Keith’s trachea, larynx, and lungs microscopically. He found aspirated materials in the larynx and trachea and congestion and edema in the lungs.

2) The autopsy showed no hemorrhages, soft tissue injury, dislocation or fractures in Keith’s neck. In addition, Keith’s tongue, larynx, laryngeal cartilages, hyoid bone as well as his cervical vertebral column visually were without injuries. The lack of bleeding and injury in Keith’s neck indicate that Keith’s body was lifted and put in a hanging position a few hours after his death, when the muscles of the neck became stiff due to rigor mortis.


3) The police and the county medical examiner missed the cause of death in Keith’s casebecause they did not conduct the required standard medical-legal investigation in his case.

This is just another piece of viable information which proves Keith was dead before he was put on the tree. It will be interesting to see what Montgomery County Police Department will have to explain this one away.

The full 59 page report will be posted on www.keithwarrenjusticesite.com

KW, thanks for sharing that. The information bold red (2) would likely have been found immediately by a competent ME, had Keith's body been sent there instead of straight to the funeral home. Every new bit of info just keeps reaffirming my belief that this was a murder.

What's happened seems to go beyond incompetence on the part of LE. As much as I'd like to not believe in conspiracies, it looks like a lot of people in important positions were working together to cover up as much of this crime as they could before they alerted the family.

I've skimmed through the thread and read quite a bit of what was posted. I didn't see an answer to the following, but could possibly have overlooked it.

I assumed that every suspicious or unexpected death and most unattended deaths (no immediate medical staff present, such as a patient dying in the hospital or under the care of their doctor) meant that the body must be examined by the ME to confirm the cause of death.

Is this a misunderstanding on my part? Is it an unwritten rule that can be ignored? Is it a state or local law that was ignored?

MY QUESTION: Were any laws in this area broken when the officials completely bypassed the ME, sent Keith's body straight to the funeral home of their choice, and only later had the ME consult via telephone to make his decision without ever personally examining the body?

I still think Keith died accidentally (or perhaps had a strange reaction to a drink that was "spiked") and the people he was with panicked and staged the entire suicide thing. Anyone with a brain who saw those pictures would know right away that it wasn't suicide.

I've skimmed through the thread and read quite a bit of what was posted. I didn't see an answer to the following, but could possibly have overlooked it.

I assumed that every suspicious or unexpected death and most unattended deaths (no immediate medical staff present, such as a patient dying in the hospital or under the care of their doctor) meant that the body must be examined by the ME to confirm the cause of death.

Is this a misunderstanding on my part? Is it an unwritten rule that can be ignored? Is it a state or local law that was ignored?

MY QUESTION: Were any laws in this area broken when the officials completely bypassed the ME, sent Keith's body straight to the funeral home of their choice, and only later had the ME consult via telephone to make his decision without ever personally examining the body?

Mrs. Mary tried her best to get legal action taken on the grounds that Keith's civil rights were violated. However, MCPD has stated they did not break procedure by releasing the body to the funeral home of their choice.

Mrs. Mary tried her best to get legal action taken on the grounds that Keith's civil rights were violated. However, MCPD has stated they did not break procedure by releasing the body to the funeral home of their choice.

Thanks for answering my question, KW. I wonder if they were telling the family the truth or if they were lying in an attempt to prevent a well founded accusation of wrong doing on their part.

Oh! The ID channel just ran their promo for The Injustice Files for Tuesday's episode, which looks like it's the one that will cover Keith's case!

If you see the real pics of the hanging, it's obvious to anyone that it was a murder.

1) Keith had knowledge of some shady dealings and was killed to keep him from implicating people in the police who might be taking money from the drug trade.
if i had to guess, this is the reason he's dead, i think, it had something to do with drugs and they killed him, likely with Mark Findley around. i still wonder though, was the other guy killed too??? there were two people in that note, one was Mark Findley and some other guy would be next, did that other guy die too???
I still think Keith died accidentally (or perhaps had a strange reaction to a drink that was "spiked") and the people he was with panicked and staged the entire suicide thing. Anyone with a brain who saw those pictures would know right away that it wasn't suicide.
i know for sure this wasnt a suicide, but i dont think it was an accident either, i still think it had something to do with drugs, they murdered him and the police for reasons i cant even think of covered it up.

Completely out of left field question but did anyone else find it odd that during the UM segment, Keith's sister, said that Keith did not associate with black males yet the friend of his that was also interviewed for the segment was black?

the police in that town are completely ********

Completely out of left field question but did anyone else find it odd that during the UM segment, Keith's sister, said that Keith did not associate with black males yet the friend of his that was also interviewed for the segment was black?

It was the friend that was interviewed, Rodney Kendell, who said "Keith didn't associate much with black males, most of his friends were white males."

He probably made that comment because he thought it was odd that there was a car of (mostly) black men looking for Keith and claiming to be his friends when Rodney knew that Keith didn't have enough black friends to fill up a whole car. They weren't recognized as being from the area. Not sure how that was determined. Did Rodney just not recognize them so it was assumed they weren't from the neighborhood?

It does sorta seem from the segment, tho, that Rodney was always on the street at just the right time when people were stopping their cars and asking for Keith. The car full of guys stopped him right in front of Keith's townhouse, a week before his death, to ask if he knew where Keith was. Right there in front of the townhouse (!?) he told them he hadn't seen Keith, so they left. A week later, Mark Findlay drove up to him and asked if he knew where to find Keith. Rodney was also the guy who identified the body for the police. (Where was Keith's ID? I don't think the segment ever said if he was carrying a wallet.)

How does Rodney figure into all this? Was he Keith's best friend? Was he just always out and about in the neighborhood. Did he live in the same complex? Was he well known as the guy to go to for some other reason? Strange how he was always happened to be there at just the right time. Or did UM just make it seem that way to fit all the info into the segment?

It's also weird about how Mark Findlay figures into this. Sherri said that he hadn't called for Keith in 7 or 8 years, and her last recollection was an 8th grade fight between him and Keith. But UM calls him a "high school acquaintance". On the day Keith was found dead, Findlay approached Rodney, seemingly desperate to find Keith. Then 6 years later, his name is included in the note that was in the envelope of photos given to Keith's mom. About a month after agreeing to meet with her, but before the meeting could take place, he's found dead under suspicious circumstances, possibly to keep him from telling about being present at the Keith's death scene.

I went back through the whole thread so the info would be fairly fresh in my mind when ID airs The Injustice Files episode next week. Here are some points I found to be interesting. Almost all posts are directly from Sherri's friend, "Keith Warren". I wonder if any of this info, mostly not given in the UM segment, will be included in the new program. BTW, I quoted some posts and paraphrased others for clarity and length.

#18 The first paramedic on scene said that he immediately knew it was a staged hanging and would not touch the body until police arrived. He thought that because the responding officer was black, Keith would get justice. Cops released the EMT from the scene. He eventually saw the story on UM and contacted the family to tell them what he knew.

#26 Keith was very popular and his house was the hang out spot for his friends every day. Interestingly during the 2 days Keith was missing none of his friends called or came by.

#28 The afternoon Keith's body was found, a policeman took his driver's license to the neighbor to ask if she knew him. [I wondered where this was when it was stated that Rodney had to ID the body for the cops, but apparently the cops had his ID after all.] The neighbor provided Mrs. Couey's work phone number to the police but they wouldn't take it. They told her to call Keith's mom and tell her to contact the police, who then avoided her calls for hours.

#42 The medical examiner lied in his report, said that he talked with Sherri who told him that Keith had been missing for days and was depressed. The ME never spoke with Sherri so she could not possibly have said that to him. [Did someone pose as Sherri to fool the ME or did the screw-up/cover-up LE people convince him to write what they wanted to have put in the report?]

#83 The poster SubtleReferences made some interesting statements but never came back. Decent theories, imo, which some others seem to agree with.

#96 The 911 call was made from a house in Keith's neighborhood. The call came in over the radio as a suicide/body hanging in the basement of the house. When the paramedic arrived at the house he was met by 2 males and 1 female [known friends of Keith's] at the door. They told him that the body was not in the basement but in the wooded area adjacent to the house. [Sounds a lot like the Kurt Sova coverup, doesn't it?] None of these 3 people were ever questioned by the police and every time Keith's mother or sister tried to get information from them they would shut them out. You can see one of the individuals in one of the pictures of the body taken by police. He is standing in the background. He tried to sue Keith's mother when the pictures were released. [I did not see this included in the Jet Magazine photos. I wonder if the upcoming ID program will include any of this.] In #157, Sherri Warren herself alludes to Keith's body being in the basement of the caller's home and then moved to the woods in back. These people still have not been interviewed by the police.

#113 Mrs. Couey had been receiving threatening phone calls and would not share the name of the other person in the note with anyone, including family members, since that threat was obviously made good when Mark Findlay died.

#114 The ME said he was on the scene when the body was removed. It was proved to be yet another one of his lies and he changed his story. The ME's report has no medical information in it.

All this, and then years later, the "friend" who's really just an old acquaintance agrees to talk to Keith's mom and conveniently ends up dead after suffering a routine bicycling accident where his face impacted repeatedly with baseball bat. :rolleyes:

On the upcoming episode of the Injustice Files it looks like Keith's story will be a segment and not have the full program devoted to his case. There is definitely more than enough information to do a complete story on just Keith's covered up case for sure. Lots of destroyed evidence (the clothes, the tree), verbal lies, lies in official reports, officials strangely and unneccessarily rude to and avoiding family, and SOMEBODY got ahold of the official crime scene photos and distributed them to Keith's family. Do these cops have anything under control or is it a free for all over there????? Good grief.

And JMO, about Mrs. Couey initially accepting the police's version of "suicide", IMO, she was from a generation who believed and trusted LE. I'm sure her generation was taught that LE are the experts and if they investigate a death and say it was suicide, then it must be suicide. You (as the parent) just missed the signs because you're not professionals, like they are. (Just like with Leroy Drieth's mom, when they told her to "go home and get over it" when her son's throat had been slit and they ruled it an auto accident!)

Also, according to KW's posts, the officials stopped cooperating with Mrs. Couey within a matter of days. When she finally was able to think clearly and start asking questions the cops avoided her and threatened her with "losing another child" if she didn't make Sherri stop demanding answers.

Completely out of left field question but did anyone else find it odd that during the UM segment, Keith's sister, said that Keith did not associate with black males yet the friend of his that was also interviewed for the segment was black?

Awhile ago I read a report on the case that Keith's mother presented to show the laziness and possible corruption involving her son's death. In this report it says that Keith had "fallen in" with boys from ill repute, including Mark Findlay and the other man named in the threatening note she received. I think UM glossed over the fact that Keith had begun to associate himself with these guys (who were known drug users/pushers in the area).

#96 The 911 call was made from a house in Keith's neighborhood. The call came in over the radio as a suicide/body hanging in the basement of the house. When the paramedic arrived at the house he was met by 2 males and 1 female [known friends of Keith's] at the door. They told him that the body was not in the basement but in the wooded area adjacent to the house. [Sounds a lot like the Kurt Sova coverup, doesn't it?] None of these 3 people were ever questioned by the police and every time Keith's mother or sister tried to get information from them they would shut them out. You can see one of the individuals in one of the pictures of the body taken by police. He is standing in the background. He tried to sue Keith's mother when the pictures were released. [I did not see this included in the Jet Magazine photos. I wonder if the upcoming ID program will include any of this.]

Do you have a link to this picture that has him included in it? I don't believe I've seen it.

Do you have a link to this picture that has him included in it? I don't believe I've seen it.


GRAPHIC CONTENT WARNING


http://keithwarrenjusticesite.blogspot.com

Scroll down to the posts dated December 24, 2010.

They are titled "Manila Envelope Photo 4" and "Manila Envelope Photo 3"

There are 5 photos total and they are posted across 2 pages of the blog. These photos don't appear to be cropped, like the ones published in Jet magazine and the bystander would be easily recognizable to anyone who knew him, imo.

I noticed that the bystander is not wearing a shirt and in the same photo, Keith is wearing a shirt that his family says does not belong to him.

Question for anyone brave enough to study those crime scene photos linked above:

Do Keith's arms and hands look like they are in a natural position for someone who was supposedly hanged?

Both his fists are clenched and, imo, his arms are hanging at an angle that suggests the process of rigormortis had already begun before he was ever lifted up by the rope.

His arms are hanging down but slightly forward, not exactly at the proper angle they would be at if gravity were the prevailing force.

I suspect that he was already dead and was in a different position when his body started to stiffen from the rigormortis when these people came up with the idea to fake a hanging to draw attention away from whatever it was that really happened.

Oh, if you read the comments on the photos there, the "bystander" is named.

I guess I should have looked these over a long time ago, but they are just so awful, I avoided it and that caused me to miss some important information. They are also suspicious of the fact that he's lollygagging around at the crime scene without a shirt while Keith is covered head to toe in someone else's clothing.

In another comment section, all three people who were at the house from where the 911 call was made are named. Their story is all over the place. They said Keith was in their basement but when the EMT arrived they said that the female had been walking her dog in the woods and came across Keith's body out there. It's pretty darn obvious who's involved. Wonder what their connection was to LE that kept them from being investigated.

Oh, if you read the comments on the photos there, the "bystander" is named.

I guess I should have looked these over a long time ago, but they are just so awful, I avoided it and that caused me to miss some important information. They are also suspicious of the fact that he's lollygagging around at the crime scene without a shirt while Keith is covered head to toe in someone else's clothing.

In another comment section, all three people who were at the house from where the 911 call was made are named. Their story is all over the place. They said Keith was in their basement but when the EMT arrived they said that the female had been walking her dog in the woods and came across Keith's body out there. It's pretty darn obvious who's involved. Wonder what their connection was to LE that kept them from being investigated.

I wonder if "Alan Durant" is the other name mentioned in the note sent to Keith's mom?

"What at 1:30pm on the afternoon of July 31, 1986 did the investigating officer and detective see at the crime scene to definitively determine it to be a suicide?"

1. There was no note

2. Keith's car was parked more than 400 yards from where his body was found. So per the police he carried a rope, wine coolers, and a duffle bag of clothing through a neighborhood in the middle of the day to an area unfamiliar to his family to hang himself behind a set of homes.

3. The scene was not roped off, no crime scene tape was put around the scene.

4. Why did it take the officer and detective 5 1/2-6 hours after the body was found to notify Keith's mother, even though the officer had her work number and address of Mrs. Mary's job which the officer received from the neighbor at 2pm but Mrs. Mary was not notified until after 6pm.

What are your thoughts?

There's a guy in a photo with no shirt on while Keith is wearing clothes that his family immediately knew weren't his? Mother------, if that wouldn't be obvious to police, I don't know what would be.

This might have the most people involved in a cover-up of any story ever featured on UM (police, drug dealer types, "friends").

And then an old acquaintance of his accidentally dies "falling off of a bike" onto pavement with no impact with a vehicle or anything of that nature? That is a joke of a ruling for cause of death. Nobody dies falling off of a bike like that unless they've slipped down a mountain riding in the Tour De France or something like that.

There's a guy in a photo with no shirt on while Keith is wearing clothes that his family immediately knew weren't his? Mother------, if that wouldn't be obvious to police, I don't know what would be.

IIRC, I think the man without a shirt in one of the photos was described as a "spectator" by everyone on the scene. I'd take that with a grain of salt though.

IIRC, I think the man without a shirt in one of the photos was described as a "spectator" by everyone on the scene. I'd take that with a grain of salt though.

Acutally the man in the photo was in the house where the 911 call came from.

FYI - The Injustice Files episode is airing tonight on ID.

My answers in RED:

1. There was no note This isn't as common in suicides as we've been led to believe, however Keith seemed to be close to his family and I think if he was going to commit suicide, he would have left a note to his loved ones. His mom was at work, and IIRC his sister was out of town. He would have had plenty of time to leave the note at home, commit the act, and not be stopped, if that had been his intention. I also think he was the type of person who if he decided on suicide would have told his loved ones where to send the police or someone else to find his body. I don't believe he was the kind of person who would have wanted his family to find him. I think he would have left a note for them to send someone else.

2. Keith's car was parked more than 400 yards from where his body was found. So per the police he carried a rope, wine coolers, and a duffle bag of clothing through a neighborhood in the middle of the day to an area unfamiliar to his family to hang himself behind a set of homes. Is that duffle bag the one seen hanging on a tree branch stub in the crime scene photos? He would have had to carry all that stuff, the bag with the clothes and shoes, the drinks (no alcohol found in his system, right? so that was planted "evidence") and the rope. Take it into the woods, change into clothes that weren't his (were his own clothes ever at that scene? I thought they were gotten rid of at the original crime scene.), then commit that convoluted act falsely described as a suicide. It's too elaborate for a suicide and the cops are wrong.

3. The scene was not roped off, no crime scene tape was put around the scene. Maybe stupid cops, but I think Dirty Cops. It should have been treated as a homicide until it became obvious as a suicide (which wasn't gonna happen, this wasn't suicide.)

4. Why did it take the officer and detective 5 1/2-6 hours after the body was found to notify Keith's mother, even though the officer had her work number and address of Mrs. Mary's job which the officer received from the neighbor at 2pm but Mrs. Mary was not notified until after 6pm. Dirty cops needed time to cover up and make the evidence fit their faked up scenario.

What are your thoughts?

The following is just my opinion based on some of the information available online. Please don't be offended by anything I have to say. I'm just some random UM fan and It's definitely not my intention to hurt Keith's memory, his friends, or his family.

I have a ton of questions.

How close to Keith's house was the house of these three people (two males and one female) located?

Did all three people live in that house or were some of them visitors?

How old were they and what was their relation to each other?

Did an older adult/father/friend/relative own the townhouse and they just lived there too?

Was a parent/relative's name on the lease but these people lived there while the lease holder lived offsite?

How long had Keith known them, how closely acquainted were they, and how often did he visit with them?

Was their house in the same row of townhouses? In the same complex? Within walking distance?

I think most of the street activity near Keith's townhouse involved drug deals and somehow those three people were the main source of drugs and they are definitely involved in Keith's death.




In my very humble and unprofessional opinion, Keith was a regular suburban kid who may have temporarily got off the path and got involved with the lowest level of people in and near his community.

It may have started out as experimenting with these new "friends" by huffing or doing drugs together (partially explained by some of the inhalant drugs later found in Keith's system). Maybe Keith ended up with knowledge that these people didn't want to become public.

Maybe once school was out, Keith was hanging out in the neighborhood more often and these people recruited or coerced him into selling drugs for them, either by threats or by lure of some extra spending money. I definitely don't think Keith was any kind of long term, serious drug dealer. Possibly he just shared with some friends and acquaintances, and that spread out into people coming by looking to buy, like the car load of guys that Rodney says he didn't recognize as being from the neighborhood. (Alternately, that car load of guys were customers of the three people and they'd been recruited to help get rid of Keith for other reasons, especially since they weren't recognized from the area and it would be harder to connect them to Keith's death.)

Maybe those three "friends" saw how often Keith had visitors, assumed he was dealing when he wasn't, and thought he was their competition. Maybe they saw all his friends as potential new customers. Maybe they were trying to force him to start selling drugs for them and he wouldn't. Maybe he had been selling drugs for them but decided to get out of it because he was preparing to go to school and needed to get serious and out of the summer party mode. Maybe he discovered that some of these druggie people's customers/relatives were local cops or other socially prominent people.

It appears that someone important was afraid of being implicated in illegal drug activity or afraid that their relative was going to be implicated so it was decided that they had to kill Keith.

On the day of his death, I think it's possible that Keith went to the three people's house and was huffing. Once he became incapacitated from that, they deliberately forced lethal quantities on him and possibly poisoned him. (Stuff in the new autopsy report.) They may have tried to make it look like an OD death, but decided they didn't want that associated with their house so changed over to the "suicide" scenario. The EMT showed up expecting to find that person in their house, but again, to distance their house from anything involving officials, they changed the story to the woman finding the body while walking her dog in the woods.

IMO, it all comes back to those three people for whatever reason.

FYI - The Injustice Files episode is airing tonight on ID.

My answers in RED:



The following is just my opinion based on some of the information available online. Please don't be offended by anything I have to say. I'm just some random UM fan and It's definitely not my intention to hurt Keith's memory, his friends, or his family.

I have a ton of questions.

How close to Keith's house was the house of these three people (two males and one female) located? - Not for sure but at the least 1/2 mile

Did all three people live in that house or were some of them visitors? - One was the occupant of the house the woman and other man was visiting

How old were they and what was their relation to each other? - 18-19yrs

Did an older adult/father/friend/relative own the townhouse and they just lived there too? - The male "Chip" parents owned the house

Was a parent/relative's name on the lease but these people lived there while the lease holder lived offsite? - not sure

How long had Keith known them, how closely acquainted were they, and how often did he visit with them? - They lived in the neighborhood

Was their house in the same row of townhouses? In the same complex? Within walking distance? - one lived a few houses down

I think most of the street activity near Keith's townhouse involved drug deals and somehow those three people were the main source of drugs and they are definitely involved in Keith's death.




In my very humble and unprofessional opinion, Keith was a regular suburban kid who may have temporarily got off the path and got involved with the lowest level of people in and near his community.

It may have started out as experimenting with these new "friends" by huffing or doing drugs together (partially explained by some of the inhalant drugs later found in Keith's system). Maybe Keith ended up with knowledge that these people didn't want to become public.

Maybe once school was out, Keith was hanging out in the neighborhood more often and these people recruited or coerced him into selling drugs for them, either by threats or by lure of some extra spending money. I definitely don't think Keith was any kind of long term, serious drug dealer. Possibly he just shared with some friends and acquaintances, and that spread out into people coming by looking to buy, like the car load of guys that Rodney says he didn't recognize as being from the neighborhood. (Alternately, that car load of guys were customers of the three people and they'd been recruited to help get rid of Keith for other reasons, especially since they weren't recognized from the area and it would be harder to connect them to Keith's death.)

Maybe those three "friends" saw how often Keith had visitors, assumed he was dealing when he wasn't, and thought he was their competition. Maybe they saw all his friends as potential new customers. Maybe they were trying to force him to start selling drugs for them and he wouldn't. Maybe he had been selling drugs for them but decided to get out of it because he was preparing to go to school and needed to get serious and out of the summer party mode. Maybe he discovered that some of these druggie people's customers/relatives were local cops or other socially prominent people.

It appears that someone important was afraid of being implicated in illegal drug activity or afraid that their relative was going to be implicated so it was decided that they had to kill Keith.

On the day of his death, I think it's possible that Keith went to the three people's house and was huffing. Once he became incapacitated from that, they deliberately forced lethal quantities on him and possibly poisoned him. (Stuff in the new autopsy report.) They may have tried to make it look like an OD death, but decided they didn't want that associated with their house so changed over to the "suicide" scenario. The EMT showed up expecting to find that person in their house, but again, to distance their house from anything involving officials, they changed the story to the woman finding the body while walking her dog in the woods.

IMO, it all comes back to those three people for whatever reason.

Wow, that was hard to watch! Did anyone else watch the whole episode of The Injustice Files?

I'm glad it was a two hour show. When I realized they were going to profile 4 cases, I was afraid it would all be crammed into one hour and the cases wouldn't get enough attention. I still feel like Keith's case didn't get as much attention as it could have. His was the oldest case though, happening in 1986, when the others were all in 2000 or later so maybe they felt they had more to work with. (Although Izell Parrott's case hardly got any time in the whole 2 hours.)

It's amazing, to me, how Keith's family really sticks together. For years, his sister and his mom refused to let this be ignored. After Keith's mom passed, his sister is still working to get justice for Keith. How can anyone look at this case and see a suicide when this family obviously would have provided a very competent support system for each other, had anyone been suffering depression, or having any other problem.

In the year prior to his death, Keith had been treated for anxiety issues related to his parents divorce. Why would officials think that just a year later, if he were suffering depression badly enough to make him suicidal, that his family wouldn't be there getting him treatment? Just like the criminologist on this program said, interviewing the family is one of the best resources the investigators can have because the family has information that the cops don't! Yet no one investigated Keith's case.

The officials used Keith's previous anxiety issue as an excuse to say he committed suicide due to being depressed. Depression and anxiety are often seen together, but I don't think anxiety can be described as depression, like these cops did, and I don't think anxiety sufferers are nearly as likely to commit suicide.

For anyone who hasn't suffered from anxiety, it sort of feels like you're super nervous, maybe jumpy, extremely stressed out (it can even be so bad that it's mistaken for a heart attack). It's way different than depression, which I think a lot of people can relate too, even if only by having felt sad or gloomy on occasion. Anxiety, which had apparently been successfully treated a year previously is a not a factor in Keith's death.

Keith would not have stayed out overnight without telling his mom that he would be gone. He was missing for two days with no contact and that was out of character for him. He didn't have plans to stay out overnight. Someone else caused that to happen.

The criminologist and Dr. Wecht said the same thing: Routine procedure for suicides requires an autopsy. The cops botched the case from the beginning by having the body embalmed and contaminating it with all those chemicals. If they had not done just that one stupid thing, Dr. Wecht said he and Beauchamp "wouldn't be having this conversation".

The criminologist also made the point of why the heck was that crime scene not secured and why was that bystander anywhere near enough to even be in the official crime scene photos? It's like the cops were deliberately trying to make a mess out of the whole thing.

In Reynard Johnson's case, which was also profiled, Beauchamp was able to go back and find people to interview and even came up with a suspect who had died two years ago. In Keith's case, they didn't give any info on nor make contact with any of those three people who made the 911 call, which included the guy in the crime scene photo.

They were only able to question Rodney again, and this time he offered his theory that Keith may have been at a party where something went wrong and the other people panicked and made the death look like a lynching. (So he's even thinking this is similar to Kurt Sova's case.)

Sherri made it very plain that the people who were the first responder's at the Findlay scene thought he looked like he'd been beaten to death, rather than suffered a head injury or broke his neck in a bike accident. For whatever reason, someone definitely wanted him hushed.

She also says that Keith would not be involved in drugs. As close as this family was, I have to believe that they would best know Keith's personality and would have noticed the signs, but I still think Keith's death is drug related. Those three making the 911 call and changing their story are the most suspicious, imo.

Reynard Johnson's case seems quite similar to Keith's. He was found hung by a belt that didn't belong to him and he was also in a position where his feet were on the ground. He could have easily just stood up.

And the Montgomery County officials are cowards! They wouldn't cooperate at all with this program and they still refuse to re-open a case that everyone knows was never even investigated in the first place. Despicable. They need to stop the decades of cover ups, try to find themselves a bit of dignity, and get to their butts to work.

I didn't watch it because I didn't even know when it aired but sounds really intruiging. I would like to watch it though.

Wow, that was hard to watch! Did anyone else watch the whole episode of The Injustice Files?

I'm glad it was a two hour show. When I realized they were going to profile 4 cases, I was afraid it would all be crammed into one hour and the cases wouldn't get enough attention. I still feel like Keith's case didn't get as much attention as it could have. His was the oldest case though, happening in 1986, when the others were all in 2000 or later so maybe they felt they had more to work with. (Although Izell Parrott's case hardly got any time in the whole 2 hours.)

It's amazing, to me, how Keith's family really sticks together. For years, his sister and his mom refused to let this be ignored. After Keith's mom passed, his sister is still working to get justice for Keith. How can anyone look at this case and see a suicide when this family obviously would have provided a very competent support system for each other, had anyone been suffering depression, or having any other problem.

In the year prior to his death, Keith had been treated for anxiety issues related to his parents divorce. Why would officials think that just a year later, if he were suffering depression badly enough to make him suicidal, that his family wouldn't be there getting him treatment? Just like the criminologist on this program said, interviewing the family is one of the best resources the investigators can have because the family has information that the cops don't! Yet no one investigated Keith's case.

The officials used Keith's previous anxiety issue as an excuse to say he committed suicide due to being depressed. Depression and anxiety are often seen together, but I don't think anxiety can be described as depression, like these cops did, and I don't think anxiety sufferers are nearly as likely to commit suicide.

For anyone who hasn't suffered from anxiety, it sort of feels like you're super nervous, maybe jumpy, extremely stressed out (it can even be so bad that it's mistaken for a heart attack). It's way different than depression, which I think a lot of people can relate too, even if only by having felt sad or gloomy on occasion. Anxiety, which had apparently been successfully treated a year previously is a not a factor in Keith's death.

Keith would not have stayed out overnight without telling his mom that he would be gone. He was missing for two days with no contact and that was out of character for him. He didn't have plans to stay out overnight. Someone else caused that to happen.

The criminologist and Dr. Wecht said the same thing: Routine procedure for suicides requires an autopsy. The cops botched the case from the beginning by having the body embalmed and contaminating it with all those chemicals. If they had not done just that one stupid thing, Dr. Wecht said he and Beauchamp "wouldn't be having this conversation".

The criminologist also made the point of why the heck was that crime scene not secured and why was that bystander anywhere near enough to even be in the official crime scene photos? It's like the cops were deliberately trying to make a mess out of the whole thing.

In Reynard Johnson's case, which was also profiled, Beauchamp was able to go back and find people to interview and even came up with a suspect who had died two years ago. In Keith's case, they didn't give any info on nor make contact with any of those three people who made the 911 call, which included the guy in the crime scene photo.

They were only able to question Rodney again, and this time he offered his theory that Keith may have been at a party where something went wrong and the other people panicked and made the death look like a lynching. (So he's even thinking this is similar to Kurt Sova's case.)

Sherri made it very plain that the people who were the first responder's at the Findlay scene thought he looked like he'd been beaten to death, rather than suffered a head injury or broke his neck in a bike accident. For whatever reason, someone definitely wanted him hushed.

She also says that Keith would not be involved in drugs. As close as this family was, I have to believe that they would best know Keith's personality and would have noticed the signs, but I still think Keith's death is drug related. Those three making the 911 call and changing their story are the most suspicious, imo.

Reynard Johnson's case seems quite similar to Keith's. He was found hung by a belt that didn't belong to him and he was also in a position where his feet were on the ground. He could have easily just stood up.

And the Montgomery County officials are cowards! They wouldn't cooperate at all with this program and they still refuse to re-open a case that everyone knows was never even investigated in the first place. Despicable. They need to stop the decades of cover ups, try to find themselves a bit of dignity, and get to their butts to work.

I agree that Keith's case didn't get near the attention/exposure it should have. When I saw the commercial for it, I was under the impression that Keith Beauchamp was profiling four cases, so I figured each case would have its own segment. All were very good cases, although I believe Izell Parrott's was suicide, the rest were obvious murders.

I really wish we could have gotten a full segment on Keith's death. They even showed the picture of Keith's acquaintance standing behind his dead body. However, they didn't mention several key points of his case, such as the leaves on "his" clothing that would suggest he was lying on the ground and hoisted up, the fact that the original 911 call said he was in a basement, not the woods and the letter that Mary Couey received. I honestly hope the family contacts another show to have Keith's case profiled.

I agree that Keith's case didn't get near the attention/exposure it should have. When I saw the commercial for it, I was under the impression that Keith Beauchamp was profiling four cases, so I figured each case would have its own segment. All were very good cases, although I believe Izell Parrott's was suicide, the rest were obvious murders.

I really wish we could have gotten a full segment on Keith's death. They even showed the picture of Keith's acquaintance standing behind his dead body. However, they didn't mention several key points of his case, such as the leaves on "his" clothing that would suggest he was lying on the ground and hoisted up, the fact that the original 911 call said he was in a basement, not the woods and the letter that Mary Couey received. I honestly hope the family contacts another show to have Keith's case profiled.

Yep, 3 of those 4 cases were definitely murders. I can't figure out what happened to Izell Parrott. They really didn't spend much time on his case. When they said he'd been hanging in a tree for 14 months, I thought No Way. Then Dr. Wecht basically said the same thing. The body can't support the weight that long. But I disagree with his supposition that someone could have come across the body, dead of some other cause, and decided to play a prank. Carrying a long dead body 30 feet up into a tree seems too far fetched to be an ill conceived prank, imo.

The rope (what little of it they showed) really didn't look like an instrument of lynching or even suicidal hanging but more like a bad job of tying up a package or something. The way it was knotted up looked weird.

And I about freaked out when his friend was able to joke about this before and after the fact, telling Mr. Parrott to take care of himself because he didn't want to have to get an investigation started when they find "your black ass hanging in a tree". :eek: I sure hope he just has an oddball sense of humor.

Beauchamp seems to have a good series going (I watched most of last week's episode too, it was on Oneal Moore's case) but Keith Warren's case needs a professional, thorough investigation. There's still tons of information that hasn't been well covered by UM or IF. I also think it would actually be fairly easy to solve, if the officials would just admit that the case needs to be re-opened.

Yep, 3 of those 4 cases were definitely murders. I can't figure out what happened to Izell Parrott. They really didn't spend much time on his case. When they said he'd been hanging in a tree for 14 months, I thought No Way. Then Dr. Wecht basically said the same thing. The body can't support the weight that long. But I disagree with his supposition that someone could have come across the body, dead of some other cause, and decided to play a prank. Carrying a long dead body 30 feet up into a tree seems too far fetched to be an ill conceived prank, imo.

The rope (what little of it they showed) really didn't look like an instrument of lynching or even suicidal hanging but more like a bad job of tying up a package or something. The way it was knotted up looked weird.

And I about freaked out when his friend was able to joke about this before and after the fact, telling Mr. Parrott to take care of himself because he didn't want to have to get an investigation started when they find "your black ass hanging in a tree". :eek: I sure hope he just has an oddball sense of humor.

Beauchamp seems to have a good series going (I watched most of last week's episode too, it was on Oneal Moore's case) but Keith Warren's case needs a professional, thorough investigation. There's still tons of information that hasn't been well covered by UM or IF. I also think it would actually be fairly easy to solve, if the officials would just admit that the case needs to be re-opened.

I agree on Izell Parrott. I also thought that there was no way he could have hung in that tree for that long. During winter the branches would become weaker and would likely break with that much weight on it. I also find it just impossible that someone would kill him by hanging him 30 feet in the air. I also think its odd that someone would kill themselves by that same method but suicide rather than murder makes more sense to me.

I found an article online about Parrott last night (there aren't very many) and one interviewed an acquaintance of his in his hometown who said Parrott was extremely depressed in the weeks leading up to his disappearance because the construction going on around his BBQ business was effecting sales as not many people wanted to eat around a bunch of noise, smoke and debris. Not sure if that was a contributing factor or not. I think one thing people need to remember is no one wants to believe that their family member/friend would commit suicide.

As far as Keith's case goes, it's a definite murder. After watching last night's episode and seeing that the wooded area where Keith's body was found has basically been built over and the fact that the Montgomery County Sheriff's STILL refuse to reopen the case, I think the only way Keith's family/friends ever get the truth is by way of a confession, which is a very sad thing.

Does anyone know if the show will air again any time soon? I'm sorry I missed it.

I'm curious to know if they mentioned the note that was sent with the photos to Keith's mother. It targeted Mark Findley and another person that Unsolved Mysteries didn't reveal, saying they would be next.

Does anyone know if the show will air again any time soon? I'm sorry I missed it.

I'm curious to know if they mentioned the note that was sent with the photos to Keith's mother. It targeted Mark Findley and another person that Unsolved Mysteries didn't reveal, saying they would be next.

I believe it is scheduled to air again this coming Sunday, 2/26/12, but do not remember the time.

It does mention Mark Findlay and the fact that he called Mary Couey saying he wanted to "unload". It says he was ran over while riding his bike and that the EMT's said it looked like he had been beaten. It makes no mention of the note.

Overall, it was a decent segment and I'm glad many who were unfamiliar with Keith's story were able to see it, but it wasn't anywhere close to the UM segment.

Maybe someone could shed some light on this (and I'm sure it's been asked before) but did the coroner ever determine a time of death for Keith?

Maybe someone could shed some light on this (and I'm sure it's been asked before) but did the coroner ever determine a time of death for Keith?

Since there was no first autopsy, I don't think a time of death was determined and I don't think the funeral home he was sent to even gave a cr*p about the whole situation so they likely didn't bother even making an educated guess. The 2nd autopsy was done so many years later, I don't know if they could have figured it out.

What we know is that Keith was missing for 2 days without letting his mom know that he would be out overnight, which was out of character for him.

LE that said his body was so decomposed that it ruined the clothes he was wearing and they couldn't return most of his clothing to the family. We know that was a lie, since we've all seen the photos of the crime scene and Keith is completely recognizable, the clothes are all in order, and there is no visible decomposition at all.

I wonder what the EMT on the scene thought, since he knew it was all staged. We could probably make a guess on time of death if we knew about the rigormortis and the EMT may have noticed that. There are so many factors in what affects it tho.... If I had to make a guess, I'd say he died a about 3-6 hours before he was found at about 1:30pm on July 31, 1986. I'm making that guess based on the position of his arms in the photos (rigor making them stand out slightly forward rather than hanging straight down) and my severely limited knowledge on the subject so this could be 100% incorrect.

Hello everyone... I wanted to update you on new information Sherri (Keith's sister received last week) This report is from a toxicologist Dr. Mohammed Ali Al-Bayati Ph.D., DABT, DABVT Toxicologist & Pathologist:

Abstract:
On July 31, 1986, Keith Warren, a 19-year-old black male, was found hanging from a
small tree in a park in Silver Spring, Maryland. Police and the County Medical Examiner
ruled Keith’s death a suicide and his body was sent to Collins Funeral Home in Silver
Spring for embalming without performing an autopsy.
Suspicious events led the family to exhume Keith’s body on May 24, 1994 and Dr.
Isidore Mihalakis performed the autopsy of Keith’s body. High levels of 1, 1, 1-
Trichloroethane (TCE) and 1, 1-Dichloroethane (DCE) were found in Keith’s blood,
brain, liver, kidney, and muscles. Xylene, ethylbenzene, and toluene were also detected in
these tissues but at low concentrations. Mihalakis stated that the cause of death was
undetermined. My investigation in this case reveals the followings:

1) Keith had a lethal level of TCE and a toxic level of DCE in his blood, brain, liver, kidney, and muscles. The concentrations and the pattern of TCE and DCE distribution in tissues indicate that Keith received these chemicals at about 1-2 hours prior to his death via ingestion and they were likely mixed with alcoholic drinks. The estimated ingested doses of TCE and DCE in Keith’s case are 94.94 g (70.85 mL) and 21.48 g (18.28 mL), respectively. The ingestion of high doses of TCE and DCE lead to vomiting, diarrhea, central nervous system (CNS) depression, and aspiration pneumonia. Mihalakis examined H & E stained sections of Keith’s trachea, larynx, and lungs microscopically. He found aspirated materials in the larynx and trachea and congestion and edema in the lungs.

2) The autopsy showed no hemorrhages, soft tissue injury, dislocation or fractures in Keith’s neck. In addition, Keith’s tongue, larynx, laryngeal cartilages, hyoid bone as well as his cervical vertebral column visually were without injuries. The lack of bleeding and injury in Keith’s neck indicate that Keith’s body was lifted and put in a hanging position a few hours after his death, when the muscles of the neck became stiff due to rigor mortis.


3) The police and the county medical examiner missed the cause of death in Keith’s casebecause they did not conduct the required standard medical-legal investigation in his case.

This is just another piece of viable information which proves Keith was dead before he was put on the tree. It will be interesting to see what Montgomery County Police Department will have to explain this one away.

The full 59 page report will be posted on www.keithwarrenjusticesite.com


It's such a shame that officials willingly refused to do any real investigation. They obviously had something to lose from this, so what were they hiding!?

Well now I remember reading that info before. Thanks, Shamsky, for bringing it to our attention.

That should have been mentioned in the IF episode, imo. They talked about the rope being caught up in the collar of the shirt Keith was wearing, and how that wasn't common in suicides, but I don't think they said anything about this important stuff that was discovered when they finally did the autopsy.

Well now I remember reading that info before. Thanks, Shamsky, for bringing it to our attention.

That should have been mentioned in the IF episode, imo. They talked about the rope being caught up in the collar of the shirt Keith was wearing, and how that wasn't common in suicides, but I don't think they said anything about this important stuff that was discovered when they finally did the autopsy.

Yea, I really felt that Keith's segment was rushed and to be honest, I didn't feel that it fit with the topic of Beauchamp's segment as Keith's murder was not racially motivated. At least, no one has ever brought up that theory of it being racially motivated.

Yea, I really felt that Keith's segment was rushed and to be honest, I didn't feel that it fit with the topic of Beauchamp's segment as Keith's murder was not racially motivated. At least, no one has ever brought up that theory of it being racially motivated.

I agree Ham. I wanted to see more Keith..... I don't recall from the Unsolved Mysteries, as mentioned in this program, about Keith having a bag of tapes with him the night he left........ was it on UM?

I am very proud of his sister for carrying on the fight to find the truth about this case. Keith Warren's mother and sister remind me so much of Sue Billig and her son's struggle to find Amy Billing..... I didn't know until last night that his mother had passed away. I teared up a bit. She seemed like such a sweet woman.

I honestly believe that one of Keith's "friends" covered up his death and so much time has passed, someone that knows the truth is ready to crack. I would go after the women, his old classmates or girls that used to date his old friends. Someone knows something and now is as good of a time as ever to release the burden holding you back.....

Hi everyone I'm new here and have been enjoying this website for a while now. First, I want to say my heart goes out to Sherri and can only imagine what she and her mom (rip) been through for over 25 years.
Now, on the Keith Warren justice site Sherri said that no matter what Keith did in the past shouldn't stop LE from actually investigating this case. Was Sherri mentioning about the time Keith went to Duke U. hospital the year prior for his anxiety due to their parents divorce or is there something more that us passionate amateur detectives don't know?
With everything that I have watched and read there seem to be 3 theories.
1) Mark Finley (the so-called friend who was going to "unload" info to Keith's mom but was murdered, uh, I mean died in a tragic bike accident before he could) along with the three neighbors who reported finding Keith body killed him.
2) LE killed him and tried horribly to cover it up.
3 A little bit of both, Mark and the three people killed him and one of their family members worked for LE and they decided to cover it to protect them.

Motives? Well, I believe Keith knew something about something that could've got other people sent to prison or killed.

I honestly think LE just rushed to a judgement too soon in this case, and refused to admit their mistake which is why it appears there is a "cover up" going on. I don't understand why the Montgomery County PD (especially now) won't just admit that there were mistakes made and reopen the case.

I honestly think LE just rushed to a judgement too soon in this case, and refused to admit their mistake which is why it appears there is a "cover up" going on. I don't understand why the Montgomery County PD (especially now) won't just admit that there were mistakes made and reopen the case.

I tend to agree with you on alot of points but I have to disagree here. They did alot of incorrect things that were against protocol for me to think they simply made a mistake and wont admit to it. Keith's clothes, belongings, body straight to morgue, etc... If just one of those things happened, then I'd be inclined to agree with you, but all of it makes me think otherwise.

I tend to agree with you on alot of points but I have to disagree here. They did alot of incorrect things that were against protocol for me to think they simply made a mistake and wont admit to it. Keith's clothes, belongings, body straight to morgue, etc... If just one of those things happened, then I'd be inclined to agree with you, but all of it makes me think otherwise.

I just don't see what connection there would be between these low level drug users (Mark Findlay and his associates) and the PD. I don't necessarily like to entertain conspiracy theories, but this case certainly does make you think twice about conspiracies or coverups. However, I do not believe every single member of the Montgomery PD, and the medical examiner's office, and all the way down to the smallest clerical jobs were all corrupt and had a hand in covering up Keith's death. I just don't see it. The only reason, IMHO, why the cops would hurry to close this case and not change their ruling was because they jumbled the investigation and did not want to admit their mistakes. So either way there is a coverup involved. Whether or not it involves covering up the actual crime itself or their horrible investigation is up for debate.

I just don't see what connection there would be between these low level drug users (Mark Findlay and his associates) and the PD. I don't necessarily like to entertain conspiracy theories, but this case certainly does make you think twice about conspiracies or coverups. However, I do not believe every single member of the Montgomery PD, and the medical examiner's office, and all the way down to the smallest clerical jobs were all corrupt and had a hand in covering up Keith's death. I just don't see it. The only reason, IMHO, why the cops would hurry to close this case and not change their ruling was because they jumbled the investigation and did not want to admit their mistakes. So either way there is a coverup involved. Whether or not it involves covering up the actual crime itself or their horrible investigation is up for debate.

I agree with you that 20 plus years worth of detectives/new detectives have yet to even acknowledge the possibility of re-opening the case is very strange.

I can't say there's a multi agency conspiracy to cover up everything that went on, but I do know the following for sure and something like this may have been happening in Keith's case.

I worked a low level clerical job in the Detroit area at this time. I wasn't specifically instructed to be involved in anything conspiratorial, but on several occasions it was made very clear that if I came upon anything suspicious, illegal, or fraudulent, I was to keep my mouth shut and just go along with processing the paperwork as if everything was normal.

I have very definite beliefs in Right and Wrong, with very little room for gray area. I quit that job with no notice after 3 months. I refused to be any part of what was going on and got as far away from those people as possible. This place was just a hokey little retail facility. Their illegalities went all the way from screwing over their clients to hiding things from the local officials to state and federal DEQ and EPA violations. Almost nothing that crossed my desk was "clean".

Back then, women had almost no protection against sexual harassment on the job. It was still an era of "If you want to keep your job, you'll put up with it." And whistleblowers had even less protection. Think about the Su Taraskiewicz case. That happened in 1992, six years after Keith's murder, and involved harassment and fraud. They killed her over her refusal to just go along with things.

Back to 1986, and Keith's case. Workers in different locations like the police station, coroner's office, funeral home, etc, wouldn't necessarily have to be involved in a conspiracy to be a part of the chain of cover ups in this case. Some people may have simply been so used to having to look the other way to preserve their jobs, that they just ignored any irregularities they saw that might have led to revealing the corruption of people in higher places and details of the bigger crime.

Back to 1986, and Keith's case. Workers in different locations like the police station, coroner's office, funeral home, etc, wouldn't necessarily have to be involved in a conspiracy to be a part of the chain of cover ups in this case. Some people may have simply been so used to having to look the other way to preserve their jobs, that they just ignored any irregularities they saw that might have led to revealing the corruption of people in higher places and details of the bigger crime.

I kind of agree with what you're saying, that perhaps they keep quiet to keep their jobs, but I still don't see why not one person has came forward and blew the whistle on the whole thing. Just look at the Michael Rosenbaum case. There were two workers who came forward and appeared on camera to expose the police coverup in that case. I just think if there was a massive coverup involving the PD, someone would have came forward by now.

who did the rope belong to? if he did commit suicide, he did pick a pretty elaborate way to do it. Maybe the same people who killed his friend killed him??

who did the rope belong to? if he did commit suicide, he did pick a pretty elaborate way to do it. Maybe the same people who killed his friend killed him??
The better question is who takes a change of clothing, a 45 foot rope, 4 pack of wine coolers and a duffle bag of cassette tapes to hang themselves? The MCPD would like for the family to believe that Keith carried all of the above items through his neighborhood some 500 feet from where his car was parked to commit suicide.

This case irritates me to no end. It's so obvious he was murdered, no doubt in my mind. It's frustrating when law enforcement jumps to conclusions and fails to investigate properly when the facts are SCREAMING at them.

I tend to agree with you on alot of points but I have to disagree here. They did alot of incorrect things that were against protocol for me to think they simply made a mistake and wont admit to it. Keith's clothes, belongings, body straight to morgue, etc... If just one of those things happened, then I'd be inclined to agree with you, but all of it makes me think otherwise.

I agree. It cant just be that somebody made a mistake and they've been trying to cover it up. He was obviously murdered and it had something to do with the police there. It makes you wonder if the murder was committed by a police officer or someone that was paying the cops to look the other way for whatever reason.

I agree with you that 20 plus years worth of detectives/new detectives have yet to even acknowledge the possibility of re-opening the case is very strange.

That to me is basically proof that this was a really elaborate coverup that involved multiple layers of government in Maryland. It appears to continue to this day. I just cant believe that not even one prosecutor, politician, or member of law enforcement hasnt looked at this. That never happens, especially when it involves a teenager dying.

That to me is basically proof that this was a really elaborate coverup that involved multiple layers of government in Maryland. It appears to continue to this day. I just cant believe that not even one prosecutor, politician, or member of law enforcement hasnt looked at this. That never happens, especially when it involves a teenager dying.
This is the modern day Trayvon Martin the similarities are so scary..


1.Investigating officers/first responder conducted no real investigation at the scene.

2.The 911 recordings in Trayvon’s case recorded the injustice/ Pictures in the Keith Warren case show the inconsistencies. In both case’s the local police departments were in possession of the information to help to bring justice to both Trayvon and ...Keith, but did not release the information willingly.

3.In the situation of Trayvon, Trayvon was convicted of a crime of assault and the injustice was hidden behind the law called “Stand Your Ground” / in the situation of Keith Warren the MCPD convicted Keith of a crime of suicide with no evidence to back up the decision. There was nothing at the crime scene at 1:30pm on the afternoon of July 31, 1986 that the investigating officer/detective to rule this as a suicide, no note and the body was found over 200yards from where Keith lived. The MCPD would like for the family to believe Keith walked a 1/4mile from where his car was parked carrying a 20foot rope through a neighborhood, case of wine coolers, and change of clothes to hang himself behind a house not familiar to the family.

The only difference between Trayvon Martin and Keith Warren is the machine called social media.

they actually charge your dead body with a crime for committing suicide??

here's the simple question for why I believe that this is not even close to a suicide. Why did Keith hang himself in the way it was??? why not go to a stronger, tougher tree that would've easily gotten the job done??? that's why I think it was a murder likely from people he thought he could trust and in the end couldn't and Mark likely helped, was going to tell, got killed to keep his mouth shut.

I still think the P.I. hired by the family has come up with the best theory so far, “He could've been at a party with some drugs involved and he accidentally killed himself and they were afraid. And then they decided to take and hang him, make it look like a suicide…"

I tend to think this is what happened. They covered up the accident to make it look like Keith killed himself.

I still think the P.I. hired by the family has come up with the best theory so far, “He could've been at a party with some drugs involved and he accidentally killed himself and they were afraid. And then they decided to take and hang him, make it look like a suicide…"

I tend to think this is what happened. They covered up the accident to make it look like Keith killed himself.
I ask this question only because Keith's family is open to any and all possible scenario's.... If in fact Keith's death was an accident, then what role did the police play in not doing a proper investigation and even 27 year later the local police department has in no way assisted the family in getting closure. Sherri Warren (Keith's sister) had to wait almost 2yrs to get the police file on Keith's case. Sherri requested it under the MPIA act and although she went through the proper channels it took 2yrs and over 12 emails to finally receive the information.

This case is haunting. One of he ones that really make you lose trust in government agencies. Just a pitifully, unnecessary miscarriage of justice.

I hope Keith's family will get real answers one day.

Here are my thoughts on it. I don't see any real evidence that supports a suicide. I think it was murder plain and simple. First, the rope was pretty elaborate for a suicide. If I was thinking about suicide by the time I got the rope set up I'd prob get in a better frame of mind. Suicide is often impulsive and that would hamper it I would think.

second, the leaves on keiths back give rise to him being hoisted up by someone else. It was clear in my mind at least one other person was present to get Keith into that position.

I really hope this case gets solved for Keith and the family. Don't ever give up Sherri, someone somewhere has to know something.

I saw this for the first time on the Farina version. Obviously his death was not a suicide but the main thing to wonder is why on Earth did the police cover it up? Why cover up the death of a 19 year old? Is it possible maybe some children or child of a high ranking police officer was involved in what happened to Keith Warren and they were just trying to make sure they got off the hook?

I still think the P.I. hired by the family has come up with the best theory so far, “He could've been at a party with some drugs involved and he accidentally killed himself and they were afraid. And then they decided to take and hang him, make it look like a suicide…"

I tend to think this is what happened. They covered up the accident to make it look like Keith killed himself.

I tend to agree with this. Hell, it could have even been alcohol that killed him by accident. The people at the party were pretty young as well. I couldn't imagine being that young and seeing someone die right there. No idea what I'd do.

However, if his death truly was an accident and the party goers staged his death to make it look like a suicide so as not to get in trouble for any type of illegal activity going on at the party, then what motive would the police have to go to the lengths they went to to keep this case from going anywhere?

I tend to agree with this. Hell, it could have even been alcohol that killed him by accident. The people at the party were pretty young as well. I couldn't imagine being that young and seeing someone die right there. No idea what I'd do.

However, if his death truly was an accident and the party goers staged his death to make it look like a suicide so as not to get in trouble for any type of illegal activity going on at the party, then what motive would the police have to go to the lengths they went to to keep this case from going anywhere?
I don't know what motive police had to botch that case like that. How did the photos get to mrs warren?

I don't know what motive police had to botch that case like that. How did the photos get to mrs warren?

No idea. I'm not saying this is the case but often in tragic times as it pertains to unexpected deaths, families won't accept certain things. Suicide, accidental death, etc. Maybe Keith's family just can not accept the accidental death theory and believes there was something more to it than that. We can all agree that it was not suicide.

One thing I found odd is that in the segment, Keith's friend Rodney was interviewed and stated that a vehicle with three black males were driving and stopped him as he was walking down a sidewalk. They asked him where Keith was and he said he didn't know. He later said that he thought it was odd because most of Keith's friends were white, not black. What I found odd is, three strangers just stop a random black man (Rodney) to ask the whereabouts of another black man (Keith). That isn't normal. Plus, Rodney and Keith's sister both said they did not know these three. Does anyone else find that odd?

Also, this looks to be Rodney's Facebook profile.

https://www.facebook.com/rkendell

Here's a theory:

Maybe Keith saw something "he shouldn't have" in the previous day or days leading up to his disappearance and was acquainted with at least one of those black guys in the vehicle looking for him (hence their knowing his name). They eventually find him, force him into their vehicle, go and stop somewhere where no one else is likely to be nearby, maybe two of them hold him down and the other forcefully poisons him. Then, after hiding his body in their trunk (or somewhere) for a day or so, they decide on their plan of staging a hanging of him.

That still wouldn't explain the cover-up by those local authorities but if one of the local detectives or officers were related or had some other strong connection with one of those three men in question, that could go a long way in explaining why things transpired the way they did after he was "found".

Here's a theory:

Maybe Keith saw something "he shouldn't have" in the previous day or days leading up to his disappearance and was acquainted with at least one of those black guys in the vehicle looking for him (hence their knowing his name). They eventually find him, force him into their vehicle, go and stop somewhere where no one else is likely to be nearby, maybe two of them hold him down and the other forcefully poisons him. Then, after hiding his body in their trunk (or somewhere) for a day or so, they decide on their plan of staging a hanging of him.

That still wouldn't explain the cover-up by those local authorities but if one of the local detectives or officers were related or had some other strong connection with one of those three men in question, that could go a long way in explaining why things transpired the way they did after he was "found".
If you have time go to www.KeithWarrenJusticeSite.com, there is new information posted in relation to the chemicals as well as additional documentation related to the case.