MOMEYER, N.C. (WNCN) — Nash County investigators are continuing to follow up on leads, working to determine who killed married mother Diana Alejandra Keel and why.
Authorities said the body of the mother of two was found in a wooded area in Tarboro by an NCDOT worker Tuesday. Keel was found four days after her daughter and coworkers at Wilson Medical Center reported her missing.
According to a 911 call, a coworker said “She has not been heard of in two days. Her daughter has called tonight, looking for her. She hasn’t heard from her in two days as well.”
Nash County Sheriff Keith Stone called Keel’s husband, Lynn a person of interest in the case.
“We’re going to be able to put this together. It’s just going to take time. We’re working and we want to do things right when we do it,” Stone said.
Investigators confirm Lynn’s first wife, Bess Keel died at the home where Diana Keel lived.
“Ali was wonderful. She was always happy. She was always kind,” Bess’ cousin said, using a nickname for Diana Keel.
Bess’ cousin asked not to be identified during the ongoing homicide investigation.
Bess’s cousin said she was friends with Diana.
Investigators confirm Bess died back in 2006. The Medical Examiner ruled it an accident, saying she died after falling and hitting her forehead on the front steps.
“Everybody said it didn’t happen that way,” Bess’ cousin said. “She grew up there. That was where she was born and raised,” the cousin added.
The cousin said Lynn Keel went to Colombia and married Diana less than a year after Bess died.
“It was upsetting because it was the family home and there were questions concerning Bess’ death. But if you ever met Ali, it didn’t matter,” the cousin said.
Diana or Ali as she was known to her friends leaves behind an 18-year-old daughter and 10-year-old son.
Her friends say Diana’s family in Colombia has made arrangements to travel to Nash County. They’re expected to arrive on Sunday.