Jeffrey Keller charged in Bloomingdale murder of Nate Fox, 37

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Saturday, January 17, 2015
Hinsdale businessman charged in Bloomingdale murder
Prosecutors say a Hinsdale businessman made-up a love triangle and then killed the man he believed to be his rival.

BLOOMINGDALE, Ill. (WLS) -- Jeffrey Keller, 51, is held without bond in the shooting death of Nate Fox, 37, last month in Bloomingdale. Prosecutors said the Hinsdale businessman believed Fox to be his romantic rival in a made-up love triangle.

Keller is charged with first-degree murder in the December 22 shooting and is being held at DuPage County Jail.

Prosecutors allege that Keller, who is married, stalked Fox from a rented car for days before shooting him twice in the driveway of his Bloomingdale home.

Keller thought Fox was dating a woman with whom he was having an affair, prosecutors said. In reality, Fox and the woman, who knew each other from work, had no relationship, prosecutors said, and she "didn't even like him."

"Jealous and envy, a motive as old as time. And unfortunately in this case, it led to murder," DuPage County State's Attorney Bob Berlin said.

Keller allegedly stole the 9mm gun from a relative and then put it back. Shell casings at the scene match the type of ammunition, police said.

Keller allegedly confessed to a friend, who went to police and agreed to record phone conversations with the suspect, prosecutors said.

Keller had no family in court at the bond hearing. Prosecutors said Keller, the CEO of an Internet company, lives "comfortably" in a $1 million home in the affluent suburb.

"It gives me goosebumps. I just can't even imagine Jeff Keller doing such a thing. It really shocks me as a neighbor. I mean, look how close we are. Right next door. We see their kids and them, in and out. I'm really shocked," Judy Cafaro said.

Judge George Bakalis denied bond for Keller.

In 2010, Keller was arrested during a domestic dispute. According to police records, he beat his wife over the head with a computer power cable after arguing over a credit card.

Keller is next scheduled to appear in court on January 21.

Fox was engaged to be married. His fiancee found him after the shooting and called 9-1-1. She also tried to revive him.

Fox graduated from Plainfield High School, where the 6'9" teen was a standout athlete with three-point shots. He played basketball for Boston College, the University of Maine and professionally in Europe from 2000 to 2012. He won a Belgian Cup title with the Okapi Alastar club.

"One of the nicest neighbors. I was very happy to have them around," Yolanda Kieler said.

Nate Fox, 37