Friend speaks out about last time he saw missing hunter on Alaska trip

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – It has been months since Steve Keel disappeared after occurring a searching journey in Alaska.

For the primary time, WSMV4 is listening to from Keel’s buddy who went on that journey with him.

“We went collectively, and we should always have come dwelling collectively,” Bryan Collins stated.

Collins is the final one who noticed Keel, who vanished on the Alaskan searching journey the 2 took collectively in August. It was each their first time to Alaska.

“I give it some thought on a regular basis. I at all times surprise what I might have finished,” Collins stated.

Collins stated Keel dropped off a pack of meat a couple of half mile away from their camp someday and went again to get it the subsequent morning.

“He stated, ‘I will probably be proper again. I’m going to search out that pack,’” Collins stated. “That was the final time I noticed him.”

Collins stated he seemed for Keel for twenty-four hours earlier than reporting Keel lacking.

WSMV4 requested Collins why he waited so lengthy earlier than reporting Keel lacking.

“If you find yourself searching, we might separate for a day at a time a number of instances,” Collins stated. “The very last thing you need to do is get everybody out searching for you when you find yourself positive. That’s at all times been our plan. Give us a day.”

Collins stated that 24-hour contingency was the plan he and Keel had for all the opposite searching journeys they went on collectively out west over a 10-year span.

“I might love some kind of closure to know what actually occurred, particularly for his household,” Collins stated.

Keel’s spouse of 38 years, Liz, stated she hopes her husband returns to their Dover, Tennessee, dwelling.

“My coronary heart says he’s coming dwelling, completely,” Liz Keel stated. “My coronary heart additionally is aware of it doesn’t matter what, I’ll see him once more.”

Liz Keel and Collins are each vital of native authorities in Alaska for not doing a floor search instantly after Collins reported Keel lacking.

Since Collins was the final individual to see Keel, WSMV4 requested if he had something to do with Keel’s disappearance or is aware of the place he’s.

“Completely not,” Collins stated. “Steve was a really shut buddy. I really like Steve like a brother. Perhaps I ought to have went with him to get that pack. I take into consideration these issues on a regular basis.”

WSMV4 reached out to North Slope Search and Rescue for remark.

“There was a floor search, and over $200,000 spent in helicopter tools and gas,” North Slope Borough Public Info Officer David Fauske stated. “This man by no means set foot in certainly one of our communities. He didn’t have a allow to hunt within the space. He didn’t have Arctic gear on him or with him, and he wore camouflage clothes which made the helicopter searches extraordinarily tough.”

Copyright 2022 WSMV. All rights reserved.