Did Karen Read really kill her police officer boyfriend – or was she framed? Meet the Boston woman at the centre of John O’Keefe’s puzzling death
Karen Read stands accused of hitting her police officer boyfriend with her car after a night of drinking and leaving him to die – but her friends, family and fans say she’s been framed
Two years ago, a respected police officer’s body was found by his girlfriend – who is now on trial for his murder.
On January 29, 2022, John O’Keefe’s body was found covered in snow outside the house of a fellow police officer in Boston. His girlfriend, Karen Read, and two other women discovered the body. Read is currently on trial, accused of killing O’Keefe.
The case has garnered international attention as Read claims she was framed for the murder, detailing an orchestrated cover up allegedly involving police, emergency workers and her deceased boyfriend’s friends.
Here’s what you need to know about the murder case – and the woman at the centre of it.
What happened to John O’Keefe and Karen Read?
According to CBS News, Read, 44, faces charges including second-degree murder, manslaughter while operating under the influence of alcohol, and leaving the scene of personal injury and death. The charges relate to the 2022 death of her boyfriend John O’Keefe, a 16-year police veteran who was found unresponsive outside the home of fellow officer Brian Albert.
A judge declared a mistrial after Read’s criminal trial ended in July, with the jury unable to reach a unanimous decision. A second trial is scheduled to begin in January.
However, in early August, O’Keefe’s family filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against Read. The suit alleges that Read struck O’Keefe with her vehicle while driving under the influence, and subsequently left him to die. Two local bars were also named in the suit for serving drinks to Read before the alleged incident, despite her already showing clear signs of intoxication, per CNN.