What happened to John O’Keefe? The late Boston police officer died on January 29, 2022 and his girlfriend, Karen Read, is accused of his murder.
Massachusetts woman Karen Read is charged with second degree murder in the death of her police officer boyfriend in a case that has garnered national attention and controversy.
They say autopsy photos and other evidence shows O’Keefe was beaten severely, with injuries to both sides of his face and the back of his head.
They also allege wounds seen on O’Keefe’s arms are consistent with dog bites, per Boston25news.
However, she and her defense team have denied her involvement in his death.
Details about Karen Read and boyfriend John O’Keefe’s love life and matters arising after his death explored.
Who is Karen Read?
Karen Read is a 42-year-old woman from Massachusetts.
Her parents, William and Janet Read, told Boston 25 News that she began seriously dating John O’Keefe in 2019, just before the coronavirus pandemic.
Janet Read said about the couple: “They just seemed to be in a happy place, you know.”
What is Karen Read accused of?
Read is accused of killing O’Keefe following a night at the bar, per NBC Boston.
She has been charged with second-degree murder.
Per the outlet, police claim Read ran O’Keefe over with her SUV while dropping him off at a house party in Canton, Massachusetts.
According to ABC News, prosecutors allege she then left him to die during a snowstorm, and that the couple had gotten into an argument earlier that day.
Read and her defense team have denied the allegations against her, maintaining that she was not involved in O’Keefe’s death.
In an interview with ABC News’ Matt Gutman, Read said: “I did not kill John O’Keefe. I have never harmed a hair on John O’Keefe’s head.”
The outlet reported that on the night of O’Keefe’s death, the couple ran into Boston police officer Brian Albert at the Waterfall Bar.
Read claims O’Keefe told her they were invited back to Albert’s house.
Her defense attorneys claim that O’Keefe was beaten inside the home before his body was dumped outside, per CBS News.
She and her attorneys allege that there has been a coverup involving state and local police.
The prosecution has denied those claims, telling ABC News: “There was no conspiracy or coverup. Such claims have been systematically refuted by evidence submitted to Norfolk Superior Court.”
According to CBS News, Read spoke on the courthouse steps, saying: “We know who did it. We know. And we know who spearheaded this coverup. You all know.
“I tried to save his life. I tried to save his life at 6 in the morning, I was covered in his blood. I was the only one trying to save his life.”
Her attorney, Alan Jackson, added: “And no, she didn’t do it. This is an innocent woman.”
Read has a court hearing scheduled for Friday, September 15, per NBC Boston.
Who was John O’Keefe?
John O’Keefe was a Boston police officer who, per NBC Boston, died on January 29, 2022.
As CBS News reported, his body was found in a snow pile outside of Albert’s home.
Per Boston 25 News, he was pronounced dead at Good Samaritan Hospital in Brockton, Massachusetts.
ABC News reported that his cause of death was blunt force trauma and hypothermia, according to the chief medical examiner.