If You Are Being Stalked (or Know Someone Who Is), Please Read This Cautionary Tale

Stalker Roger Keeling Tried to Murder His Ex-Girlfriend Despite Restraining Orders, Police Reports, and Several Arrests

copyright-free image drawn by Roger Keeling of his ex-girlfriend’s house burning down, confiscated, and published by the FBI and Alaska State Troopers during a search of his home

Yes, I know. I wrote another article about stalking recently. And here’s a heads up; I’ll probably write another one.

I’m tired of hearing stories of stalking victims with the same theme; trying to handle things on their own, filing a police report and not being taken seriously, minor consequences when their abuser violates a stalking protection order, etc. It sucks that victims can’t relax once they get law enforcement involved. Let your guard down and you may lose your life.

The true hero of this story was one of Keeling’s cellmates. I don’t care what his motive was for coming forward; he surely saved a life.

The Background of Domestic Violence

According to a Department of Justice press release, Roger Keeling terrorized his girlfriend for years. There was a well-documented history of physical, mental, and emotional abuse. Increasingly terrified by Keeling’s unstable mental state and unpredictable behavior, she left him. That’s when the real torment started.

For a while after the breakup, Keeling was on his best behavior. He missed his love. He wanted her back. He would do better this time. If I had a dollar for every time I’ve heard about this brief “honeymoon period.” I’d be on some tropical island surrounded by real honeymooners.

Of course, the minute he realized this goodbye was for real, he dropped the facade. Now it was all about revenge. No woman was going to make a fool out of him.

Escalation After the Breakup

In October of 2020, after Keeling put his hands around her throat and threatened to rip her heart out and burn her house down, the terrified ex-girlfriend went to the police. Police arrested him for assault. She had him served with a restraining order while he was still locked up in county jail; a smart move.

But it had little effect. And here’s where I start to get pissed. For the next six weeks, Keeling…