US archaeologist missing in Cambodia sparks concern

Friends and family of Dr Dustin Keeler, a 46‑year‑old American archaeologist, have launched an urgent appeal for information after he vanished in Cambodia last August.

Keeler, described as a prominent researcher of Southeast Asian heritage, was last heard from on 31 August 2025. He had indicated plans to travel south from Siem Reap towards Kampot, or possibly cross into Vietnam. Reports later suggested he might have passed through Phnom Penh, with a possible sighting near Rue Pasteur, east of the Royal Palace.

His family believes he may also have travelled on to Bangkok or Luang Prabang in Laos.

Standing 1.8 metres tall with brown hair, Keeler is identifiable by a reindeer tattoo on his right leg and a map tattoo on his right arm. Loved ones have circulated his description widely, urging anyone with information to contact them directly.

The case has drawn attention not only because of Keeler’s professional background but also due to Cambodia’s troubled history of disappearances. During decades of conflict and instability, the country saw widespread looting of cultural artefacts and occasional cases of foreigners going missing while travelling or conducting research. Keeler’s disappearance has revived concerns about the safety of academics and tourists moving through remote or politically sensitive areas.

Authorities in Cambodia have yet to provide clear updates, while his family continues to press for international assistance. Appeals have been shared across regional networks, highlighting the urgency of locating him.

For Cambodia, where recent headlines have focused on the repatriation of looted Khmer treasures, the case is a stark reminder that the country’s cultural landscape remains intertwined with risks for those who study it.

-2026-03-01