AVON – Karyll McKechnie stood over the old well where her 45-year-old son’s body was discovered Saturday, and said, “I just can’t believe it.”
She had reported her son, Keith McKechnie, missing more than two months ago, leaving behind his driver’s license, Medicare card, and more. She checked his bank account every week but found no activity.
After a mysterious disappearance, family friends lowered a tiny camera into the well and found Keith’s body, leaving family members frustrated as they had directed police to the well since September.
The Avon Police Chief Jeffrey Bukunt mentioned that officers did check the well and that even a police K9 did not pick up the scent there. Detectives had moved on to other leads, including tips that McKechnie had been spotted at some nearby homeless shelters.
Despite the ongoing search by authorities, Keith’s relatives never gave up on their hunch that he was right under their feet.
His family described Keith as generous and light-hearted, suffering from mental illness but receiving good care, and is still left with unanswered questions after the autopsy showed no signs of foul play.
Christina Hager is an Emmy Award-winning investigative reporter with the I-Team at WBZ-TV News. She has spent more than two decades covering major breaking news events across the country, including extensive daily coverage of the coronavirus pandemic.
