BEATRICE – Jurors in the Joshua Keadle trial Thursday heard an audio recording of investigators visit with Keadle to a boat ramp area of the Missouri River, following their discovery that Keadle had been to that area with Peru State Student, Tyler Thomas.


In the trial going on in Gage County District Court, prosecutors allege Keadle killed Thomas there and dumped her body in the Missouri River.
FBI Special Agent John Daugherty said that Keadle told him about his interaction with Thomas, including a sex act in his vehicle…and then of a second visit to the river where Keadle said he went to look for Thomas. Defense Attorney Jeff Pickens asked Daugherty about Keadle saying he picked Thomas up from a dormitory area, then went down the boat ramp.


Keadle told investigators he left Thomas alive, at the river, and asked in a non-recorded interview what might happen to him if he left her there, alive. The investigator also said Keadle was concerned about what would happen to him if she was found dead.....even if he didn't lay a hand on her.
Asked whether investigators were trying to get Keadle to say he did something to Thomas, Daugherty said, “we were probing”. When suggesting that perhaps if he had killed her….that maybe he had just backed into her with his vehicle… Keadle said he didn’t do that….and told Daugherty that Thomas was alive when he left the river area.


Daugherty said Keadle feared if Thomas did come back at some point, she would accuse him of rape.


Prosecutor Doug Warner questioned Daugherty about the information learned after Keadle had initially denied going to the river with Thomas.
Daugherty said Keadle told them he went to the river and that there was a consensual sex act between the two.


The trial charging Keadle with first-degree murder is nearing the end of its second week. To this point, prosecution witnesses have been testifying. The defense is yet to present its witnesses.