Jim Keith

Jim Keith (September 21, 1949 – September 7, 1999) was an American author best known for the books "Black Helicopters Over America" and "The Octopus", co-written with Kenn Thomas, which details conspiracy theories around the death of reporter Danny Casolaro and NSA employee Alan Standorf.[1] The book is based on the notes of Danny Casolaro, who reportedly killed himself, although Keith and Thomas examine the case for foul play in their book.

Keith authored popular books on conspiracy topics, including Mind Control/World Control, Black Helicopters I and II, OK Bomb, Saucers of the Illuminati, Casebook on Alternative 3, Casebook on the Men In Black and many others and his views are considered unapologetically controversial.[2]

One of the underlying themes of Keith's works is that the UFO phenomenon is, in fact, of entirely earthly origin and has its roots within a parallel program of technological development. Keith maintained a steadfast commitment to the earthly-origin theory, and he believed that there was a concerted effort to put forth the extraterrestrial hypothesis into the public consciousness.

Keith began in publishing in the literary magazine scene of science-fiction fandom in the early 1960s. He published and edited many magazines over the years, including several semi-professional publications, particularly: Why?, Skyline: Klamath Falls and Dharma Combat: The Magazine of Spirituality, Reality and Other Conspiracies.[3] Keith was also the author of numerous erotic novels, publishing several in the early nineties with Masquerade Books. His nonfiction books have been translated into several languages.

In 1970, after publishing an article on Dianetics in his sci-fi fanzine Untitled (co-edited with Jerry E. Smith and Larry Neilson) Keith became fascinated with Scientology. He later worked on the staff of local Scientology Missions in Riverside, California and Reno, Nevada. In the early 1990s he left Scientology.

In September 1999, Jim Keith fell from a stage and broke his knee at the 1999 Burning Man Arts Festival held from August 30 - September 7 at the Black Rock Desert in Nevada about 120 miles north of his hometown of Reno. On September 7, he entered the Washoe Medical hospital for knee surgery and died in the Intensive Care Unit shortly after surgery was completed when a blood clot released and entered his lung. The coroner's report listed cause of death as "blunt force trauma." Cryptically, Keith stated just before being put under anaesthetic, "I have this feeling that if they put me under I'm not coming back". He is survived by two daughters.[4]