Karen Read Reflects on Recovery After Acquittal in Boyfriend’s Death
In her first public interview since being acquitted in June for the death of her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O’Keefe, Karen Read shared insights about her ongoing recovery and unexpected challenges.
Read described her journey back to normal life as a gradual process, comparing it to a dimmer switch rather than a sudden change. She explained, “There are moments every day where I realize this is the first time I’ve done something without living with that nightmare.”
Addressing Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morrissey and investigators directly, Read expressed, “You lost. You lost big time.”
At 45, Read is in the process of rebuilding her life after significant upheaval. She recently sold her home and temporarily moved in with her parents, creating distance from her previous professional roles at Fidelity Investments and Bentley University.
“It wasn’t just a job for me; it was my career, and I still miss it,” she said, admitting she’s uncertain about returning to her previous routine.
Looking ahead, Read and her attorney, Alan Jackson, hinted at the possibility of further legal actions, stating they intend to pursue truth regarding her case. There’s also talk of her potentially sharing her side of the story in a book.
When asked about a reported television series featuring her story, which would feature Elizabeth Banks, Read clarified she has no involvement, emphasizing, “It’s not authorized by me in any way.”
Moreover, she mentioned that authorities have not yet returned her SUV, which had been a key piece of evidence in her case, calling the situation a logistical matter needing attention from the district attorney’s office.
O’Keefe was discovered deceased in the snow outside another officer’s home in January 2022. His death was attributed to blunt-force trauma and hypothermia. Prosecutors contended that Read, allegedly intoxicated, hit him while reversing her SUV, while the defense maintained that he was already injured before she arrived.
Read’s first trial ended in a mistrial, but following a retrial, jurors acquitted her of murder and other serious charges, convicting her only of operating under the influence, leading to one year of probation. Her case drew attention, particularly regarding her attempts to reach O’Keefe multiple times on the night he died.
Karen Read is on a path to recovery and resilience, navigating the complexities of her life after an intense legal battle.
