The death of 46-year-old Boston police officer John O’Keefe on a snowy January morning sent shockwaves through the nation. Found unresponsive in a snowbank outside the home of a fellow officer, the case quickly spiraled into a tangled web of accusations, conflicting evidence, and a highly publicized trial that gripped the nation. At the center of it all stood Karen Reed, O’Keefe’s girlfriend, who found herself facing charges of second-degree murder, manslaughter while operating under the influence, and leaving the scene of an accident. What ensued was a legal battle that captivated the public, raising more questions than answers about what truly transpired that fateful night.
The story began on January 28, 2022, with a seemingly ordinary night out at the Waterfall Bar and Grill in Canton, Massachusetts. O’Keefe, a respected police officer known for his dedication to his niece and nephew whom he cared for after the tragic passing of his sister and brother-in-law, was joined by his girlfriend, Karen Reed, a 44-year-old equity analyst and adjunct professor. They were accompanied by friends, making for a lively atmosphere fueled by alcohol.
As the night progressed and the group’s intoxication levels rose, surveillance footage captured their movements, revealing no signs of conflict or tension. Around midnight, Reed and O’Keefe left the bar, their destination: the home of Brian Albert, a fellow law enforcement officer, where an after-party was underway.
Surveillance footage from Waterfall Bar and Grill where John O'Keefe and Karen Reed were seen drinking with friends
Witnesses recalled seeing Reed’s Lexus SUV arrive at the Albert residence around 12:15 AM, but curiously, no one reported seeing either Reed or O’Keefe enter the house. Adding another layer of mystery, Reed’s vehicle was observed leaving the residence merely 15 minutes later.
The events that unfolded next would form the crux of the case. Reed claimed to have driven back to O’Keefe’s residence, where she was staying, and fallen asleep, only to wake up at around 4:30 AM and realize O’Keefe was missing. Panic set in as she frantically called and texted him, her messages a mix of anger and concern. Unable to reach him, she contacted their mutual friend, Jennifer McCabe, who was present at the Albert party, and Carrie Roberts, another friend.
Together, the three women embarked on a desperate search for O’Keefe, eventually finding him in a snowbank outside the very house they had visited earlier that night – the Albert residence. He was unresponsive, his body succumbing to the frigid temperatures of the blizzard that had descended upon the area.
Frantic calls were made to 911 as the women desperately tried to revive O’Keefe, performing CPR and desperately trying to warm him up. First responders arrived at the scene, greeted by a chaotic scene of frantic energy and a desperate attempt to save O’Keefe’s life. However, despite their best efforts, O’Keefe was pronounced dead at the hospital.
The investigation into O’Keefe’s death quickly zeroed in on Karen Reed. The discovery of a broken taillight on her Lexus SUV, along with fragments of a taillight found near O’Keefe’s body, painted a damning picture. Coupled with Reed’s erratic behavior at the scene and her repeated utterances of “Did I hit him? Could I have hit him?”, suspicion fell squarely on her.
Karen Reed's Lexus SUV which had damage consistent with the incident
On February 1st, 2022, Karen Reed was arrested and charged with second-degree murder, manslaughter while operating a motor vehicle under the influence, and leaving the scene of an accident. Her arrest sent shockwaves through the community, dividing public opinion and setting the stage for a trial that would expose a tangled web of relationships, conflicting evidence, and a potential cover-up.
