The Karen Read trial: The complex case behind John O’Keefe's death
The criminal trial of Karen Read is a case that has gripped public attention in Massachusetts and far beyond. Centring around the death of Boston police officer and Read’s boyfriend, John O’Keefe, the case has featured explosive allegations of law enforcement misconduct, conflicting accounts, and ongoing debate as to what really happened.
At Crime+Investigation, we love delving into complex stories like this. As Read’s second trial begins following a high-profile mistrial in 2024, here’s everything you need to know about the case that’s got everyone talking.
Background to the case
Karen Read, a former financial analyst, is currently on trial for the alleged murder of her boyfriend, John O’Keefe.
Prosecutors claim that Read struck O’Keefe with her Lexus SUV during a snowstorm, which resulted in his death from hypothermia and blunt force injuries. She has pleaded not guilty to charges including second-degree murder, vehicular manslaughter and leaving the scene of a deadly accident.
The case is one of the most high-profile in recent Massachusetts history, not least because of the tangled web of evidence, the involvement of local and state police, and accusations of a possible cover-up.
Read’s first trial in 2024 ended in a mistrial in July 2024, due to a hung jury. Her second trial began in April 2025.
The night in question
John O’Keefe’s body was discovered outside 34 Fairview Road in Canton, Massachusetts in the early hours of 29th January 2022. The previous evening, the couple had reportedly been out drinking before Read dropped O’Keefe off outside the house of fellow Boston police officer, Brian Albert.
After O’Keefe failed to return home and growing concerned for his welfare, Read returned to the scene with two friends. They discovered John’s body, partially buried in snow, with injuries to his head and arms.
The prosecution contends that Read was intoxicated and angry after leaving the property, and that she knowingly or unknowingly hit O’Keefe with her vehicle before fleeing.
However, the defence has argued that O’Keefe was the victim of a vicious attack inside Albert’s home and was subsequently dragged outside in an attempt to frame Read.
The Google search controversy
A pivotal moment in the case came from the testimony of Jennifer McCabe, a friend of Read’s who was present when O’Keefe’s body was discovered.
According to the defence, McCabe – the sister-in-law of Brian Albert – made a suspicious Google search at 2:27am on the morning in question, hours before O’Keefe was discovered. The search? ‘Hos(sic) long to die in cold’.
The defence has cited this as evidence suggesting foreknowledge of O’Keefe’s condition. However, McCabe has argued that she made the search at Read’s request after discovering O’Keefe’s body, and contested the time of the search.
The discrepancy lies at the heart of the defence’s argument – that key witnesses may not be telling the whole truth.
Prosecutors have since attempted to exclude the testimony of a digital forensics expert from Read’s retrial. They argue the claim from Richard Green, of United States Forensics, that the search was made at 2:27am lacks any evidentiary support.
Michael Proctor and the question of misconduct
Further fuelling public intrigue are the revelations surrounding Michael D. Proctor, the former Massachusetts State Police trooper assigned as the lead investigator in the case.
In March 2025, Proctor was terminated and dishonourably discharged from the Massachusetts State Police following an internal trial board.
Proctor’s conduct during the investigation has drawn sharp criticism. According to official reports, he sent crude and unprofessional text messages about Karen Read, referred to her with profane language, and allegedly shared sensitive information about the case with his sister – a close friend of Jennifer McCabe.
The defence has used this to cast doubt on the integrity of the investigation and to suggest Read is the victim of deliberate framing.
The case has also sparked scrutiny of how evidence was collected and processed, particularly at the Fairview Road residence. No-one inside the house has been charged in connection with the incident, but the defence has raised questions about whether a thorough search was ever properly conducted and whether key individuals were ever treated as potential suspects.
A mistrial and a second trial
After months of courtroom drama that led many to suggest it had the makings of a modern-day ‘Trial of the Century’, the first criminal trial ended in a mistrial on 1st July 2024. The jury, which had deliberated for days, ultimately reported that it was hopelessly deadlocked.
According to statements later made by jurors, the division stemmed not from a lack of effort, but from deeply entrenched beliefs about the evidence and its interpretation.
A second trial began on 1st April 2025, and has been subject to high levels of interest from both the public and press. Once again, the courtroom is filled with reporters, observers and legal analysts eager to see whether the case will finally be resolved – or continue to stir debate.
The case continues
At its heart, the Karen Read case is about more than just one woman’s guilt or innocence. It is also about public trust in law enforcement, the reliability of digital evidence and the fairness of the criminal justice system.
The trial has created a sharp divide between those who believe Read is being wrongly accused, and those who view the evidence against her as compelling and credible.
As the second trial continues, the public watches closely. And for all involved – especially the family of John O’Keefe – the agonising wait for answers goes on.
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