Karen Read was acquitted of murder in the death of her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O’Keefe. The jury found her not guilty of second-degree murder but did convict her of operating a vehicle under the influence with a blood-alcohol level of .08% or higher. The verdict was reached on June 18, 2025, after nearly a month of testimony and four days of deliberation.
The case centered around the events of January 29, 2022, when O’Keefe’s body was discovered in the snow. Prosecutors argued that Read drove her car while intoxicated and struck O’Keefe during a snowstorm. Witnesses claimed that on the morning he went missing, Read expressed panic and said, "I hit him." However, her defense team maintained that she did not hit O’Keefe and suggested that he may have been injured in an altercation with other men at a party they attended that night.
After the trial, the jury foreman urged the FBI to investigate O’Keefe’s death further. He pointed out that many questions remain unanswered and emphasized that local authorities should not be involved in the investigation, claiming that the police work was inadequate. "There are so many holes that need to be filled," he said, adding that multiple jurors felt something more may have happened that night.
Special prosecutor Hank Brennan recommended that Read receive one year of probation and enroll in an outpatient program, which is standard for first-time DUI offenses. The defense argued that Read’s actions were not criminal and that she should not be held responsible for O’Keefe’s death.
The case has drawn significant public attention, particularly given O’Keefe’s status as a police officer. As the legal proceedings continue, many are left wondering about the circumstances surrounding his death and whether the investigation will be reopened.