In a gripping retrial that has captivated audiences and jurors alike, Karen Read, 45, stands accused of the second-degree murder of her boyfriend, Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe, who was found dead outside a home in Canton, Massachusetts, on January 29, 2022. The case has taken a dramatic turn as the jury hears about Read's flirtatious exchanges with another man just weeks before O’Keefe’s tragic death.
During the session on May 9, 2025, State Sgt. Yuri Bukhenik, who supervised the investigation, detailed a series of text messages exchanged between Read and Brian Higgins, an agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The messages, which began on January 12, 2022, revealed a mutual attraction, raising eyebrows in the courtroom as jurors absorbed the implications.
“You’re hot,” Higgins texted Read, to which she replied, “Is that bad?” Their exchanges escalated, with Read inviting Higgins over and expressing her feelings about her complicated relationship with O’Keefe, who she claimed had cheated on her while they were vacationing in Aruba.
As Bukhenik read the messages aloud, one juror reportedly sat with his mouth agape, visibly shocked by the intimate nature of the texts. “I’m glad you came over tonight,” Read had told Higgins, suggesting a deeper connection that could complicate the narrative surrounding O’Keefe’s death.
Read is accused of intentionally backing her Lexus SUV into O’Keefe after a night of heavy drinking, during which she allegedly consumed seven drinks in just 90 minutes. Prosecutors allege that she left him to die in the snow as a blizzard approached, a claim that her defense team vehemently disputes.
“I’m not proud of these text messages,” Higgins testified in the previous trial, acknowledging the complexity of the situation given his friendship with O’Keefe. He admitted to being “physically attracted” to Read, a factor that could potentially serve as a motive in the eyes of the prosecution.
In a previous trial held in 2024, which ended in a hung jury, Higgins had testified about a kiss he shared with Read, further complicating the dynamics of their relationships. The mistrial was declared on July 1, 2024, after jurors expressed they were “deeply divided.”
Now, as the retrial unfolds, Read’s defense claims she is a victim of a widespread conspiracy among law enforcement to cover up the truth about O’Keefe’s death. They argue that he was actually killed during an altercation with fellow officers at the party he was attending that night.
On the night of O’Keefe’s death, he had been out with Read and others at the Waterfall Bar & Grille, where Higgins was also present. Following the bar crawl, Read dropped O’Keefe off at the home of fellow officer Brian Albert, where the fatal incident allegedly occurred.
In court, Bukhenik detailed the evidence collection process, which has come under scrutiny due to the actions of former Trooper Michael Proctor, who was fired for misconduct related to the case. Proctor was part of a disturbing message chain concerning Read, which has raised questions about the integrity of the investigation.
“The investigation was done with honor, integrity, and all the evidence pointed in one direction, one direction only,” Bukhenik stated firmly when questioned about the handling of evidence. However, defense attorney Alan Jackson challenged this assertion, pointing out inconsistencies in the documentation of evidence collected from the scene.
Jackson’s cross-examination revealed that Bukhenik had failed to document the exact locations of evidence found at the scene, including taillight fragments from Read’s vehicle, which the prosecution claims broke when she allegedly struck O’Keefe. The defense argues that the taillight pieces may have been planted to frame Read.
As the trial continues, the jury will have to weigh the credibility of the evidence presented, including the text messages, witness testimonies, and the circumstances surrounding O’Keefe’s death. The case has drawn significant media attention, with many following closely as it unfolds in Norfolk Superior Court.
Read faces serious charges, including second-degree murder, manslaughter while operating a vehicle under the influence, and leaving the scene of a deadly crash. If convicted, she could face a lengthy prison sentence.
The retrial is expected to last several weeks, with jurors being instructed that they may need to consider a complex web of relationships and motivations as they seek to uncover the truth behind the tragic death of John O’Keefe.
As the courtroom drama unfolds, it raises critical questions about the intersections of personal relationships, law enforcement, and justice, leaving the community and readers alike eager for answers.
