The Dark Devotion: Unmasking Israel Keyes - Into The Mind of Israel Keyes (Part 3)

Body of Crime

“The Dark Devotion: Unmasking Israel Keyes - Into the Mind of Israel Keyes (Part 3)”

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🎙 The Dark Devotion: Unmasking Israel Keyes 🎙 – 🎞 Part I | 🎞 Part II | 🎞 Part III | 🎞 Part IV | 🎞 Part V

Part I – The Introduction
Part II – Who Was Israel Keyes?
Part III – Into the Mind of Israel Keyes
Part IV – Remembering Bill & Lorraine Currier
Part V – Samantha Koenig

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📚 Devil in the Darkness By: JT Hunter

Welcome, fellow true-crime enthusiasts, to today’s case file: “The Dark Devotion – Unmasking Israel Keyes”

Part III – Into the Mind of Israel Keyes

INTRODUCTION

Hey crime enthusiasts, welcome back to another spine-tingling episode of Body of Crime. Today, we're diving deep into the mind of Israel Keyes—a man as perplexing as he is terrifying. A man who didn't just operate in the dark corners of society; he thrived there, leaving an indelible trail of horror that haunts us to this day. You may have heard some people describe him as one of the most meticulous and elusive serial killers of our era. But is that all there is to it?

We're here to ask the tough questions: Was Israel Keyes simply a twisted fanboy of criminal legends who came before him, influenced by an upbringing that can only be described as extreme and reclusive? Or was he a mastermind seeking not just to commit crimes, but to elevate them to a form of dark artistry, all while dodging the authorities?

Hold on to your seats as we navigate the murky psychological waters of a man whose need for control and significance was as unquenchable as it was chilling. We're talking about a guy whose level of planning and calculation would give even the most seasoned detectives pause. Israel Keyes committed acts so heinous that they transcend typical criminal categories. Yet, shockingly, only one of his victims has ever been recovered, with two more deaths to his name confessed but never solved. The unsettling enigma surrounding this man doesn't just lurk; it actively reaches out, daring us to solve it, yet defying our every attempt.

But before we sink further into the dark abyss of his mind and actions, let's hit the rewind button and journey back to the origins of Israel Keyes. How did a man so consumed with maintaining a godlike control over life and death come to be? Buckle up, listeners. You're in for an unsettling, yet compelling, ride as we try to dissect the psyche of a man who defies simple definitions.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

Most psychologist would argue that serial killers are not made, they are born. But to the truth is, in the most formative years of their lives, most serial killers can trace their origin story to some form of trauma or abuse. Although, if trauma or abuse were the only ingredient necessary to birth a serial killer, we probably would all be serial killers. Research has shown that there are some genetic traits that can predispose a person to become a serial killer.

In November, 2020, Neuroscientist Jim Fallon, in studying serial killers found that many of them had similar brain scans. In a blind study, Jim tested 70 brain scans that included people with diagnosed schizophrenia, depression, and some were from convicted killers. Fallon was able to identify all the brain scans associated with killers. What Fallon found was that all the killers had some diminished frontal orbital cortex above the eyes, where the circuit for ethics, morality, and conscience lives. This not only impacts a person’s level of morality, but it also reduces control over impulses. Ironically, Dr. Fallon had also submitted the brain scans of 10 of his own family members, to include a scan of his own brain. His brain scan would show signs of diminished frontal orbital cortex activity, just like those of the killers he was studying. Additionally, his DNA tested for all the markers that are attributable to the genes predisposing someone to aggression and violence. Simply put, Dr. Fallon had all the markers of a serial killer. Why wasn’t he a killer, let alone a serial killer?

The missing ingredient turns out to be his childhood. Dr. Fallon had a happy and secure childhood, full of positive experiences. This was troubling to the neuroscientist who originally believed the answers could be found solely in the genetics of these monsters. He was forced to admit he was wrong.

Dr. Fallon provides three key ingredients, that when combined are the perfect recipe for a serial killer. These include; as discussed, a loss of function in the frontal orbital cortex which often leaves people incapable of making ethical decisions and less capable of controlling impulses. The second is a genetic cocktail of genes that predisposes someone to violence and aggression, such as the MAOA gene.

The MAOA Gene, or the warrior gene, is linked to aggression and violence with subjects showing greater frequency of increased violence and aggression towards others when compared to individuals with lower levels of the MAOA Gene.

The third ingredient is extreme neglect and abuse as a child. The younger the abuse, the deeper the impact and psychopathy in the individual. Someone with this triad of ingredients can cook up the perfect storm for a killer or a serial killer to be born. And here is where we find young Israel Keyes.

EARLY LIFE & UPBRINGING

When we look at Israel Keyes, we can assume, given Dr. Fallon’s study, that Keyes’ brain scan would reflect some diminished level of frontal orbital cortex activity indica...