Rose Keller Murder – Rose Keil was discovered deceased in her apartment in 2003, just a day before a crucial meeting that could have profoundly impacted her life. The episode titled “The Model & the Millionaire” from “NBC: Dateline” explores the horrific events surrounding Rose’s murder, shedding light on the subsequent investigation and its aftermath. If you are intrigued by this case and seeking additional information about the perpetrator’s identity and any further developments, you need not look any further. This episode thoroughly examines these disturbing details.
Must Read: Where is Rose Keil’s Husband Fred Keller Now?
Rose Keil Murder: Who Killed Her & Why?
Rose Keil, a German woman, was born in 1969. She had five siblings, including Wolfgang Keil, whom she relied on during her adult years to advance her modelling career and capitalize on her natural beauty and charismatic persona. To further her venture, Rose relocated from Frankfurt, Germany, to the bustling metropolis of New York, making a statement with her striking red locks in every way!
Shortly after she arrived in America, Rose met Fred Keller, a wealthy real estate tycoon, through an advertisement in a German magazine. They quickly fell in love and got married in 1992. Unfortunately, around the same time, Fred received the devastating news of his leukaemia diagnosis. Knowing his time may be limited, he decided against a vasectomy to try for a son before it was too late. Luckily, his illness went into remission, allowing the couple to enjoy an idyllic honeymoon and the early years of their marriage before welcoming their son, Fredchen, three years after their wedding ceremony.
Rose and Fred expanded their real estate ventures by purchasing an impressive 10,000-square-foot mansion in Palm Beach. Rose’s brother, Wolfgang, joined them shortly afterwards in America, and Rose also supported his education and career pursuits here. From the outside, it appeared that the couple was living an idyllic existence without signs of conflict. However, tragedy struck on November 10, 2003, during a meeting between Rose, Wolfgang, and Fred at Fred’s office.
During this meeting, gunfire broke out, resulting in severe injuries for Fred and Wolfgang, and Rose was fatally wounded by a.38 caliber handgun shot to her neck. Police were quickly summoned as Fred pleaded for assistance, and an autopsy confirmed that she had indeed received one gunshot wound to her neck.
As Rose and Fred spent more time together, their relationship declined rapidly. Their breakup occurred when he refused to grant her any company ownership. Prompted by Fred’s controlling and abusive behaviour, Rose filed for divorce eight years into their marriage in 2000. After moving out of their family home and into a luxury condo on Worth Avenue, she engaged in a legal battle over ownership of their company as she relocated.
On October 30, 2003, a court deemed Rose and Fred’s prenuptial agreement invalid, awarding Rose half of his real estate company. Ten days after this ruling, they agreed to meet at Fred’s office to resolve the remaining matters. On November 10, with Wolfgang present, this meeting went ahead as planned without any significant differences. However, during the paperwork review, Fred allegedly opened fire, striking Wolfgang in the chest before switching guns and shooting Rose in the neck area.
An altercation ensued as both parties fought to gain control of the weapon. During the struggle, Fred managed to fire another shot before Wolfgang took back control and fired back, narrowly missing Fred. Later on, Wolfgang reported this incident to the police, stating that his estranged brother-in-law shot both himself and his sister. The prosecution presented this storyline at the start of the trial on January 20, 2004.
However, the defense presented an entirely different argument during their opening statement. Fred’s attorney asserted that his client feared for the safety of his employees due to threats made by Rose and had no motive to kill her following their divorce settlement. Furthermore, they noted that Fred shot at Wolfgang only in self-defense, as Wolfgang mistook a black object Fred pulled out for a gun and pulled his own weapon in self-defense.
Fred Keller was found guilty of first-degree murder and received two consecutive life sentences in April 2007. Unfortunately, just four months later, at the age of 73, he passed away from leukemia in prison.
