REAL CRIME NETWORK

A Winter Night That Didn’t End at the Bar
In the early hours of January 29, 2022, veteran Boston police officer John O’Keefe was found dead in the snow outside a fellow officer’s home in Canton, Massachusetts. What followed was a high-stakes murder prosecution of his girlfriend, Karen Read, with a narrative built around an SUV strike, drunk driving, broken taillights, and disputed forensic evidence. The case erupted into a national true-crime phenomenon—because beneath the surface lay conflicting stories, missing witnesses, and questions about how justice is done.

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Timeline of the Case

• January 28, 2022 (≈9:00 p.m.) – Karen Read and John O’Keefe meet for drinks at C.F. McCarthy’s in Canton, later move to the Waterfall Bar & Grille.
• 12:14 a.m., Jan 29 – A friend of O’Keefe calls him to guide them to a nearby residence on Fairview Rd.
• Around 12:30 a.m. – Read parks her SUV at the home of retired officer Brian Albert. Surveillance shows her vehicle in the driveway.
• 2:27 a.m. – A Google search is logged on a phone: “how long to die in cold.” The exact timing and relevance become a key point of dispute.
• ~4:23–5:07 a.m. – Read’s car is recorded backing out of the driveway; she and two acquaintances then drive back to the property and discover O’Keefe lying in the snow.
• 6:04 a.m. – Read calls 911. Responding officers arrive shortly after. O’Keefe is pronounced dead at 7:59 a.m. at Good Samaritan Hospital.
• February 2, 2022 – Read is arraigned on charges including motor vehicle homicide, manslaughter, and leaving the scene of a collision causing death.
• June 2022 – A grand jury indicts Read on second-degree murder, manslaughter while under the influence, and leaving the scene causing death.
• April 2024 – First trial begins.
• July 1, 2024 – First trial ends in a mistrial due to a hung jury.
• April 2025 – June 18, 2025 – A retrial concludes with Read found not guilty of murder and manslaughter, but guilty of operating under the influence (OUI) and given probation.

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The Evidence

Prosecution’s case:

• Pieces of a broken taillight found near the scene; prosecutors argue Read’s SUV struck O’Keefe while backing out.
• A voicemail left by Read stating “I hit him, I hit him.”
• Toxicology suggesting Read’s blood-alcohol content (BAC) around .13–.29% at ~12:45 a.m. That’s above legal limit.
• O’Keefe’s cause of death ruled as blunt-impact head trauma and hypothermia.

Defense’s case:

• Argues O’Keefe died inside the home, not from being run over; suggests dog attack and/or physical altercation at the party.
• Claims damage to Read’s SUV inconsistent with a pedestrian collision.
• Raises allegations of misconduct by lead investigator Trooper Michael Proctor, including derogatory text messages and potential evidence-planting.

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Rumor vs. Fact

• Rumor: Read intentionally mowed down O’Keefe and drove away.
  Fact: Prosecution failed to secure a murder conviction; jury found her not guilty of murder. Some forensic experts said O’Keefe’s injuries and damage to the SUV did not match the prosecution’s strike theory.
• Rumor: Read is entirely innocent and was framed by police.
  Fact: While there were documented issues with the lead investigator’s conduct, no charges were brought against law enforcement for framing. A federal probe was closed without charges.
• Speculation: A dog attack killed O’Keefe at the party.
  Fact: The dog-attack theory remains speculative and unsupported by conclusive forensic analysis.

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The Human Impact

The death of Officer John O’Keefe devastated his family, friends, and the Boston Police community. The case also ripped open fault lines of trust in the justice system—between law-enforcement, civilians, and those who believe in institutional accountability. Karen Read’s life, too, was irrevocably changed: from respected adjunct professor to defendant in one of Massachusetts’ most watched trials. Meanwhile, every friend who was at the house that night and every investigator involved carries the weight of those unanswered questions.

Where the Case Stands

Karen Read was not convicted of John O’Keefe’s murder or manslaughter, though she was convicted of OUI and given probation. Many aspects remain contested—including what exactly happened in the Fairview Road driveway, who else might have been involved, and whether justice was fully served.

Your Turn

What do you believe really happened that night in the snow at 34 Fairview Road? Was this a tragic hit-and-run, a cover-up, or something else entirely? Share your analysis and theories in the comments below.

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