Evening star., 1937-05-16
WOMAN IS SOUGHT
FOR QUESTIONING
IN KEENE MYSTERY
Norfolk Police Are Seeking
Passenger on Missing
Mans Boat.
LINE OFFICIALS TOLD
SHE HEARD NOISE
D. c. Man Went Overheard Near
Smiths Point, Officers >
Think.

Norfolk police investigating the dis
appearance and possible murder O.
Charels F. Keene on the Norfolk Lin
steamboat District Of Columbia werc
reported last night to be seeking al
interview with a woman said to hay-
heard something" while occupying
cabin adjoining that of the elderl,
real estate broker.
keenes son, Charles F. Keene, ir
OF New York, who came here to aio
IN the investigation, was informed tina
the woman passenger telephoned tn
once OF the steamship company 8
Norfolk Friday and indicated she hat
information to give officials.
She asked to speak to the manager
and hung up on being informed h,
was not available Police learned tn
woman's name from the passenge
list, it was said, but were unable t
locate her In Norfolk.
1t was believed she might hav
heard a muffled explosion coming fror
the direction Of Keene's cabin. Nigh
Watchman William Bowden reporte
nearing noise about l am. Frida,
but was not sure it was a gun-sho,
He heard no more noises and did nc
investigate.
Last Seen in Salon.
1t developed yesterday that Keen
was last seen at II pm. Thursda
when he bought two bottles from !:
soft drink stand in the salon. Tn
empty bottles later were found in hi
cabin, which was strewn with hi
clothing and contained several bloot
stains.
Investigators think it probable tina
Keene either fell or was thrown over
board near Smiths Point, Va, where
the Potomac empties into CheSapeakC
Bay. Shifting tides at this point ma,
have swept the body a considerable
distance.
Keene's window looked directly ou
on the water and there were blood,
handprints on a handrail outside anC
on the deckrail about 10 feet aft. 1,
would have been easy for an intrude,
to walk along ledge outside the shi,
from the afterdeck to Keene's window
it WAS pointed out.
No Money Found.
1t was developed yesterday, however
that Keene could have had little NOR
money with him than his expenses
He was on his way to Norfolk to close
q real estate deal, he told his wife
and associates here. He apparently
was dressed only in trousers and un-
derclothing when he disappeared. HiI
pocketbook was not. found, and g
scent piece on the floor was Tho
only money in the cabin.
Murder, with robbery as a motive
or suicide were possibilities under in.
vestigation. Ships officers suggested
Keene might have gone ashore un.
noticed, perhaps because Of a menta
daze, either in Old Point Comfor
or Norfolk.
His disordered cabin was discovered
by maid after the boat docked a
Norfolk. The door apparently hat
been locked from the inside.
washington detectives went aboart
the boat when it returned here yes
terday morning. but were unable t,
develop information other than tha
obtained by Norfolk detectives. tn
cabin had been cleaned up ant
Keene's effects turned over to Norfoll
police. It was said Keene's broker
eyeglasses and wrist watch were fount
| in the cabin.
Keene had been in real estate worl
here for the last 20 years and mum
bered many wealthy persons amonl
his clients. He specialized in the sal
| Of suburban homes.