Kelsey Grammer, the acclaimed actor known for his role in Frasier, is opening up about the tragic murder of his sister, Karen, in his new memoir, Karen: A Brother Remembers, which was released on May 6, 2025. Grammer, now 70, reflects on the profound impact of her loss and the memories that surfaced as he wrote about their shared childhood.
In 1975, while pursuing his acting career in New York City, Grammer received the devastating news that his 18-year-old sister had been brutally murdered in Colorado. Karen was abducted from her job at a Red Lobster restaurant, raped, and left with 42 stab wounds. The man responsible, Freddie Glenn, was on a murder spree at the time and is currently serving a life sentence.
Grammer recalls the harrowing experience of identifying her body, a moment that has haunted him for decades. “Recall is just extraordinary,” he said in an exclusive interview with Closer. “I’m seeing the bedroom the way it was laid out. I’m remembering the way a little television was perched on a chair when we were both kids together.”
His memoir is not just a recounting of the tragedy; it is also a celebration of Karen’s life and spirit. “It was actually a channeled message that came to me some time ago from a medium who said, ‘Karen wants you to tell her story,’” Grammer explained. This message spurred him to write the book, allowing him to reconnect with his sister in a profound way.
During the writing process, Grammer often felt Karen’s presence guiding him. “Sometimes I heard her voice come through,” he shared. “Suddenly, she’s there and leading me in a different direction. It was a pretty extraordinary thing.” He believes that writing about her “warmth, her fun and her laugh” has helped him reclaim her memory, offering a sense of solace amidst the pain. “To mourn Karen with nobility and praise for her was something I was meant to do,” he added.
Grammer's reflections on his sister also highlight the long-lasting effects of grief. He candidly spoke about the years of self-loathing and struggles he faced after her murder. “There were lots of years of self-loathing and all kinds of behaviors that I had to work through,” he admitted. Since achieving sobriety in 1996, he has found a renewed sense of hope and purpose.
In an interview on The Jamie Kern Lima Show, Grammer elaborated on the circumstances surrounding Karen’s death. On that fateful night, Glenn and his accomplices had intended to rob the restaurant where she worked. When they saw her waiting for a friend, they forced her to come with them. Despite her horrific ordeal, Karen fought for her life, crawling 400 feet from the alley where she was left, desperately seeking help.
Grammer vividly describes the brutality of her murder in his memoir, recounting the coroner’s chilling findings: “The coroner noted that through a gaping wound in her neck, he could see all the way into Karen’s lung.” He reflects on the unspeakable violence inflicted on her and the lasting impact it has had on him and his family.
Despite the profound pain of his sister’s loss, Grammer hopes that his memoir will serve as a source of comfort for others who have experienced similar tragedies. “I was trying to write a consolation for other people who’ve been through similar situations,” he explained. He believes that by sharing his sister's vibrant life, it can help others find peace in their grief.
Grammer’s wife, Kayte Walsh, played a crucial role in supporting him through the writing process. He praised her for providing the space he needed to confront his emotions and share his story. “She’s an amazing partner in that way,” he said.
In addition to honoring Karen’s memory, Grammer’s goal with the book is to inspire readers to search for the goodness in those they have lost. “The hope of the book is to inspire and to comfort other people,” he stated. “It’ll come up again and again and again, as it does for me.”
As he continues to navigate his grief, Grammer emphasizes the importance of remembering the joy and love shared with loved ones. “Understanding how precious it was that you had the time you had with this person, that can hopefully balance it out a little bit,” he said. The memoir serves not only as a tribute to Karen but also as a reminder of the enduring bond between siblings.
In a world where tragedies like Karen’s are all too common, Kelsey Grammer’s memoir stands as a testament to resilience, love, and the healing power of sharing one’s story. As he reflects on his journey, he hopes that others will find solace in their own experiences of loss and remember the light that their loved ones brought into their lives.
