Coworkers of Bess

I worked with Bess Keel for four year's in Wilson, North Carolina at contract analytical testing laboratory.  She was always nice, the consummate professional, but quiet.  She was outdoorsy and liked to ride horses.  Two years after I left the company, a former coworker told me she died.  The cause: slipping on steps after the holidays carrying a turkey and hitting her head on January 1st, 2006.  Over the years, I did internet searches to find any news of her death.  I did manage to find her obituary using her real first name, "Elizabeth."


But you will have to remember that at 2005, many people did not have Facebook pages or LinkedIn profiles.  None of us had smartphones.  Unless you knew Bess' family you knew no news after her death that you didn't read in a paper newspaper or was local gossip.

I didn't meet any of Bess family.  I did meet her husband Lynn Keel.  He came to company parties and luncheons.  At the time, he said he was a truck driver.  Always close cut/crew cut hair, jeans, and combat/safety boots.

During and after working with her there were other unfortunate deaths of natural and accidental causes of other coworkers, so I personally chalked it up to another one of these untimely deaths.

Here we are, the 17th of March 2019.  Lynn Keel has been charged with the death of his 2nd wife around the 10th of March.  Lynn Keel cannot be found to make an arrest.

My coworkers and I feel that Bess' case needs to be reopened.  I haven't seen one picture of Bess on the news.  So, we don't want to miss this opportunity while there are eyes on the case to get some attention for her, knowing we may have failed her the first time.

WRAL News Story
WRAL: Keel Returned to NC

These pictures of Bess and Lynn Keel were taken on 12/4/2005.  We believe they may be the last pictures taken of her before her death.  They were at her work's Christmas party at the Wilson Country Club.

Find a Grave Obituary
Medical Examiner's Report