The parents of Karen Read, the Mansfield woman facing serious charges in connection with the death of her boyfriend, Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe, have publicly voiced their unwavering support for their daughter. In a recent interview, William and Janet Read echoed their daughter’s defense team, asserting Karen’s innocence and suggesting a frame-up, directly challenging the prosecution’s presented evidence.
Karen Read is accused of causing the death of O’Keefe by striking him with her car and leaving him outside during a blizzard on January 29, 2022. The charges against her are severe: second-degree murder, motor vehicle manslaughter while driving under the influence, and leaving the scene of a collision causing injury and death.
Prosecutors allege that Read dropped O’Keefe off at the Canton home of fellow Boston police officer Brian Albert and subsequently struck him with her vehicle. However, Read’s defense team has consistently argued her innocence, proposing a different sequence of events. Their narrative suggests that O’Keefe was attacked inside Albert’s residence after Read left him there.
In an interview with Boston 25 News, Karen Read’s parents reinforced this alternative theory. Speaking with journalist Ted Daniel, along with Read’s brother, William and Janet Read pointed to the nature of O’Keefe’s injuries as evidence supporting their daughter’s defense. They highlighted multiple skull fractures, lacerations on his eyelid and the back of his head, and six cuts on his right forearm, arguing these injuries are more indicative of a physical altercation, possibly including dog bites, than being struck by a car.
“I think John O’Keefe entered that house, was sucker punched, a fight ensued, and he was overwhelmed,” William Read stated, mirroring the defense’s claim that O’Keefe was beaten, possibly attacked by Albert’s dog, and then moved outside to where he was discovered the following morning. This perspective directly contradicts the prosecution’s version of events and places the focus on what allegedly transpired inside the Albert residence.
The Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office has dismissed this theory as “fanciful.” They emphasize that multiple individuals inside and around the Albert home that night have stated that O’Keefe never entered the premises. Assistant District Attorney Adam C. Lally further stated in a May court appearance that a medical examiner found no signs of O’Keefe being involved in a fight. The prosecution attributes O’Keefe’s arm injuries to scratches from a blunt object, further solidifying their narrative against the defense’s claims.
According to the district attorney’s office, investigators discovered plastic fragments of a broken taillight near where O’Keefe’s body was found. They also reported damage to the passenger-side taillight of Read’s vehicle. This evidence is central to the prosecution’s case, suggesting the car was involved in the incident as they describe.
However, Read’s parents offer an alternative explanation for the damaged taillight. They contend that Read damaged her taillight later that night, after the time prosecutors allege she struck O’Keefe. They claim this damage occurred while she was backing out of O’Keefe’s driveway as she went to search for him. The Reads believe Ring camera footage from O’Keefe’s driveway supports their argument, but law enforcement officials dispute this interpretation, stating the footage does not show Read’s car hitting O’Keefe’s vehicle. Police have also stated that O’Keefe’s car showed no damage consistent with such an accident.
Adding another layer to their defense, Read’s parents described her relationship with O’Keefe as positive and loving. They stated that “they seemed to be in a happy place” at the time of his death. Boston 25 News broadcast surveillance footage showing the couple embracing at a Canton bar just hours before O’Keefe’s death. The Reads firmly believe Karen would never intentionally harm her boyfriend, reinforcing the image of a loving partner unjustly accused.
“My sense is that there are a handful of people — influential people — who know what happened,” William Read commented, raising the specter of a potential cover-up. “My daughter will be free. That’s what I believe,” he concluded, expressing strong faith in Karen’s eventual exoneration.
In response to these claims, the Norfolk County DA’s office issued a statement to Boston 25 News, asserting that allegations of a cover-up “have been systematically refuted by evidence submitted to Norfolk Superior Court and provided to the defense.” This firm rebuttal underscores the ongoing legal battle and the conflicting narratives surrounding John O’Keefe’s death.
Karen Read is scheduled to appear in court again on September 15 for a status hearing. The case continues to draw significant attention as the legal process unfolds and the “Karen Read Family” steadfastly defends their daughter against the serious charges she faces.
Learn more about the Karen Read case
