Kelsey Grammer is opening up about the tragic murder of his sister, Karen, nearly 50 years ago in his new book, Karen: A Brother Remembers, set to be released on May 6, 2025. The actor, known for his roles in Cheers and Frasier, shares the emotional journey of grief and healing following the loss of his beloved sibling, who was just 18 when she was kidnapped and murdered in Colorado.
In an interview with Diane Sawyer, Grammer recounted the harrowing details surrounding his sister's death, revealing that he struggled with substance abuse after her murder. "It's remarkable that I survived some of that," he admitted, reflecting on the toll it took on his life during his rise to fame.
Grammer's sister, Karen, was abducted on July 1, 1975, as she worked at a Red Lobster restaurant in Colorado Springs. She was targeted by Freddie Glenn and two accomplices who intended to rob the restaurant. Instead of being released, Karen was taken to an apartment where she was assaulted and brutally stabbed 42 times.
Despite her severe injuries, Karen managed to crawl approximately 400 feet to a nearby trailer park in a desperate attempt to find help. Tragically, she collapsed before reaching the doorbell. "The coroner noted that through a gaping wound in her neck, he could see all the way into Karen’s lung," Grammer writes, detailing the brutality of her murder. Freddie Glenn was later convicted and is currently serving a life sentence for her murder.
Grammer, who was 20 at the time of Karen's death, vividly recalls the moment when he received the news. "I was just starting out as an actor, and I answered a knock at the door only to be told that my sister had been raped and fatally stabbed a week prior," he said. This devastating event left a lasting impact on him, leading him to a life filled with grief and struggles.
In his book, Grammer expresses his desire to shift the focus from the tragedy of her death to the beauty of her life. "I spent a long time on her death and very little on her life," he said. "And that’s what I hope people will take – spend time on the life you lost. Spend time on the life you shared rather than the day you lost it." He describes Karen as "a poem, a light, fun, innocent, and wise," highlighting their close bond as siblings.
Grammer's journey back to Colorado, where he revisited the scenes of his sister's murder, was a significant part of his healing process. He recalls standing at the site of her death, crying out loud like a child whose hope had died. "I had horrors in my mind that were craving the truth, what I knew happened, and to feel her steps, her final steps, to be in her, to be with her," he explained.
In the wake of his sister's death, Grammer faced a tumultuous path, battling addiction and grappling with unresolved grief. He described his life as living at "95 percent" due to the emotional weight of losing Karen. "For a long time, the grief was so dominant that I couldn’t access happiness," he shared, acknowledging the long-lasting effects of that fateful day.
As he wrote the book, Grammer delved into the painful details of the police reports and testimonies surrounding Karen's murder. He learned the truth about her final moments, which he had previously imagined differently. "I wanted to breathe life into her and welcome her into the world," he said, determined to honor her memory and share her story.
Grammer's commitment to keeping Freddie Glenn behind bars remains strong. He plans to attend Glenn's future parole hearings, advocating for him to remain incarcerated. "You don’t want to eat yourself to pieces because you can’t forgive somebody," he stated. "But it’s hard to forgive a person who consciously decided they wanted to murder somebody you love."
As the anniversary of Karen's death approaches, Grammer reflects on the impact she had on his life and the importance of sharing her story. In his book, he aims to provide a sense of closure not only for himself but also for others who have experienced similar losses. "The mission is to heal. But the mission is also to help heal other people," he said.
In a poignant moment during his interview, Grammer recalled that he had received a message from Karen through a medium, which inspired him to write the book. "Karen wants you to tell her story," he relayed, feeling a renewed sense of purpose in sharing his sister's life and legacy.
As Grammer prepares for the release of Karen: A Brother Remembers, he hopes that readers will find comfort in the narrative of love, loss, and resilience. His journey through grief has led him to a place where he can finally celebrate the life of his sister, rather than solely mourning her death.
