Not an Accident: The Cheryl Keeton Murder

Not an Accident: The Cheryl Keeton Murder

From PNW Haunts & Homicides by PNW Haunts and Homicides

March 19, 2026 · 1h 25m · Episode 238

About this episode

This episode explores the disturbing murder of Cheryl Keeton, initially thought to be an accident, and the investigation that followed.

On a dark September night in 1986, a van sat abandoned on the Sunset Highway outside Portland—with the engine running. Upon closer inspection there was a purse on the gas pedal, and blood everywhere. What first appeared to be a tragic accident quickly unraveled into something far more disturbing. Cheryl Keeton was a successful attorney, a mother of three, and a woman in the middle of a bitter divorce. As investigators dug deeper, they uncovered a story of control, fear, and a staged accident that quickly began to fall apart —revealing a murder. In this episode, we examine the evidence, the timeline, and the case that would take nearly a decade to bring to justice. Visit our website ! Find us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Patreon, & more ! There are so many ways that you can support the show: BuyMeACoffee , Spreaker , or by leaving a rating & review on Apple Podcasts .

People in this episode

Host: PNW Haunts and Homicides

Topics covered

  • murder
  • true crime
  • investigation
  • legal case
  • divorce
  • evidence

Keywords

  • Cheryl Keeton
  • murder
  • true crime
  • investigation
  • Portland
  • 1986
  • divorce
  • evidence

Mentioned in this episode

Places: Portland

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