Karen Read: Age, Biography, And The Shocking Verdict That Acquitted Her Of Murder

Karen Read, a name that has dominated headlines across Massachusetts and the nation, is a former financial analyst whose life became the center of a sensational legal drama following the tragic death of her boyfriend, Boston Police Officer John O'Keefe. As of late December 2025, the public's focus remains intensely fixed on her, especially after the latest developments in her highly publicized case, which saw a stunning conclusion to the most serious charges against her.

The persistent question, "How old is Karen Read?" is often linked to a deeper curiosity about the woman behind the controversy. At 45 years old, Read's professional background and personal life have been dissected in detail, providing a complex portrait of a woman who went from a respected finance professor to a defendant in a double-trial murder case, ultimately facing a mixed verdict that has sparked massive debate and the "Free Karen Read" movement.

Karen Read: A Comprehensive Biographical Profile

Before the death of John O'Keefe catapulted her into the national spotlight, Karen Read led a successful, yet private, life centered around finance and academia. Her background is crucial to understanding the narrative that unfolded in the courtroom.

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• Full Name: Mary Karen Read
• Date of Birth: February 26, 1980
• Current Age: 45 years old (as of December 2025)
• Place of Birth: Blacksburg, Virginia, U.S.
• Hometown: Mansfield, Massachusetts (at the time of the incident)
• Education: Attended Catholic High School in Taunton, MA.
• Occupation: Financial Analyst, Equity Analyst, and Adjunct Finance Professor. She previously worked for a major financial institution, Fidelity.
• The Case: Accused in the death of her boyfriend, Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe, in Canton, Massachusetts, in January 2022.
• Legal Status: Acquitted of Second-Degree Murder and Manslaughter in her retrial, but convicted of Operating Under the Influence (OUI) of alcohol.

The details of her life—from her academic pursuits to her high-profile relationship with a Boston police officer—paint a picture far removed from the sensationalized media coverage, emphasizing her professional career as a financial analyst before the tragic events of January 29, 2022.

The John O'Keefe Tragedy: Timeline of a Controversial Case

The central event in Karen Read's life is the death of her boyfriend, 46-year-old Boston Police Officer John O'Keefe. His body was discovered in the snow outside a home in Canton, Massachusetts, during a severe nor'easter on January 29, 2022. The initial investigation and subsequent prosecution alleged that Read struck O'Keefe with her Lexus SUV and left him to die.

The legal process has been long, complex, and filled with highly contested evidence, leading to two separate trials that captivated the public.

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The Tumultuous Path to a Verdict

The case against Read hinged on the prosecution's argument that she was intoxicated and struck O'Keefe with her vehicle, as evidenced by a cracked taillight on her SUV. However, the defense, led by prominent attorney Alan Jackson, mounted a powerful counter-narrative, suggesting a massive cover-up involving law enforcement and local officials.

• January 29, 2022: John O’Keefe is found dead in the snow outside the home of a fellow Boston police officer. The cause of death was determined to be blunt force trauma and hypothermia.
• February 2022: Karen Read is arrested and charged with manslaughter.
• First Trial (2024): Read's initial high-profile trial ended in a hung jury (mistrial). The jury was unable to reach a unanimous decision on the charges of second-degree murder, manslaughter, and motor vehicle homicide.
• Retrial (2025): The Commonwealth of Massachusetts proceeded with a retrial. This second trial involved extensive forensic testimony and a deep dive into the cell phone data of key figures, including former State Police Trooper Michael Proctor, a focus of the defense's conspiracy theory.

The Shocking Retrial Verdict and Public Reaction

The conclusion of the retrial in 2025 delivered a split verdict that shocked many observers and solidified the public's divided opinion on the case. After weeks of testimony and jury deliberation at Norfolk Superior Court, the jury's decision was announced.

On the most serious charges, Karen Read was Acquitted. Specifically, she was found not guilty of second-degree murder and not guilty of manslaughter while operating under the influence. This was a major victory for the defense team and a significant blow to the prosecution's primary theory of the case.

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However, the jury did find her Guilty of the lesser charge of Operating a Motor Vehicle Under the Influence of Alcohol (OUI). This conviction acknowledged that she was driving while impaired, even if the jury did not believe she was responsible for O'Keefe's death via vehicular homicide.

Topical Authority: Key Entities and LSI Keywords

The Karen Read case has generated a massive amount of topical authority, with several key entities and concepts becoming central to the public discourse and the legal proceedings:

• John O'Keefe's Injuries: The nature of O'Keefe's injuries—blunt force trauma and hypothermia—was heavily scrutinized, with the defense suggesting they were inconsistent with a simple hit-and-run.
• The Canton Cover-Up Theory: Defense attorney Alan Jackson's primary strategy was the theory of a systemic cover-up involving the occupants of the house where O'Keefe was found, alleging he was assaulted inside and his body moved.
• Michael Proctor: The role of former State Police Trooper Michael Proctor became a flashpoint, with the defense alleging improper handling of evidence and a conflict of interest, leading to demands for his cell phone data.
• Lexus SUV Taillight: The cracked taillight on Read's vehicle was a key piece of forensic evidence for the prosecution, while the defense argued the damage was pre-existing or unrelated to the incident.
• The Free Karen Read Movement: This grassroots movement, fueled by social media and the cover-up theory, has maintained a high-profile presence throughout both trials, advocating for Read's full exoneration.

The acquittal on the murder and manslaughter charges has not ended the controversy. The OUI conviction still carries a potential sentence, and the public remains deeply divided over the complex web of evidence, conflicting testimonies, and the larger questions of justice and accountability in the death of John O'Keefe.