Christopher Keeley In Brutal Murders Of Elderly Massachusetts Couple Caught In Florida

Christopher Keeley, 27, was taken into custody in Miami Beach Friday night and booked into jail at about 6 a.m. on Saturday, MassLive.com reported.

Police had been looking for him since Tuesday night when Carl and Vicki Mattson, both 70, were found beaten and stabbed to death in their home in Marshfield, as CrimeOnline previously reported.

The couple’s dog was also found dead in the home.

Investigators issued a “be on the lookout” for the Mattson’s black Jeep Wrangler Keeley was believed to be driving, but the Jeep was located on Wednesday abandoned. Police also said that Keeley had likely changed his appearance, and his booking photo showed his normally blond hair died red.

Plymouth District Attorney Tim Cruz’s office said that Keeley was acquainted with the Mattsons, while WBZ reported that he lived with them.

A statement from Cruz’s office on Saturday said that a hearing will be held in Florida to determine if Keeley will waive extradition so he can be returned to Massachusetts to face charges.

“The man wanted in connection with the brutal murders of a married couple found bludgeoned to death in their home has been arrested,” the statement said.

A hearing is expected to be held to determine whether Keeley will waive rendition before returning to Massachusetts to face criminal charges, according to the statement.

Keeley has been the main suspect in the brutal slaying of the couple and was labelled as “armed and dangerous” by police. Cruz’s office said the Weymouth man was an acquaintance of the couple, and WBZ reported he allegedly lived with them.

His arrest follows a lengthy investigation that began around 9:20 p.m. Tuesday when Marshfield police went to perform a well-being check at the Mattsons’ home at 75 Gotham Hill Drive and discovered the couple bludgeoned and stabbed to death. They were both 70 years old, according to the district attorney’s office.

A dog missing from the home was also found dead inside the residence, the district attorney’s office announced Thursday.

“This was not a random act of violence, this appears to be a targeted attack against these two individuals,” Cruz said.

Law enforcement soon identified Keeley as a person of interest, and on Wednesday, Massachusetts State Police issued a “be-on-the-lookout” alert for him and a 2019 black Jeep Wrangler.

The Wrangler, which Keeley allegedly used to flee the Mattsons’ home, was found empty in an Avon parking Wednesday afternoon. The vehicle belonged to the couple, State Police said.

Authorities noted Keeley likely changed his appearance after allegedly fleeing the crime scene and may have changed his hair colour to red. His booking photograph shows him with what appears to be dyed hair.

According to the district attorney’s office, Keeley has a history of mental health issues and “prior involvement with the court system.” However, prosecutors did not offer any specifics.

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