mortgage broker chicago

Chicago mortgage broker found stabbed to death in Florida

A Chicago mortgage broker, who also worked as a model and U.S. Navy medic, was stabbed to death last week while on a business trip.

Keith A. Johnson, 37, was found Tuesday at a southwest Florida park, not far from Fort Myers Beach, Fla. He died from multiple stab wounds, the Lee County medical examiner's office ruled. Lee County sheriff's police did not return calls Sunday, but the Fort Myers News- Press reported the investigation is ongoing and police have not made an arrest, nor have they released much information.

Started own firm

Investigators won't say if Johnson was killed at the park or left there, but they did say his wallet and cell phone were found with him. They would not, however, say whether money or credit cards were missing, the paper reported.

After years of working in real estate and mortgage lending, Johnson started his firm, KBK Capital, from the first initials of his name and those of his wife, Benedicte, and 3-year-old daughter, Kaisa.

But the Michigan native continued modeling, too, for the Stewart Agency, and appeared in several magazines and fashion catalogs. Friends said he continued modeling because he enjoyed the work.

"He grasped at living life to its fullest," said Wade Childress, his talent agent, who had known Johnson for 15 years. "His love for his family was complete."

Worked as Navy medic

Philip Farley Jr., a Chicago real estate developer who mentored Johnson as he entered the business, called him "a good person" who personally cared for Farley while he was ill. His firm, the PMD Co., is coordinating donations for a trust for Kaisa Johnson.

Johnson, who grew up in Mount Pleasant, Mich., worked as a Navy medic before pursuing a real estate career in Chicago in 1995.

Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. today at a friend's home at 1352 N. La Salle, with arrangements by Gibbons Funeral Home. The funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the same location.

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