The name “Karen Read” is associated with two notable individuals:
Karen Read, Australian Cricketer:
Biography: Born on August 31, 1959, in North Fremantle, Western Australia, Karen Read is a former Australian cricketer. She played as a right-handed batter and represented Australia in three Test matches and 20 One Day Internationals between 1982 and 1986. Domestically, she played for Western Australia and was part of the Australian team that won the 1982 Women’s Cricket World Cup.
In recognition of her significant contributions to cricket and secondary education, she was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in the 2025 Australia Day Honours.
Karen Read, Defendant in the Killing of John O’Keefe:
Case Overview: Karen Read is an American woman accused of murdering her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O’Keefe, in January 2022. Prosecutors allege that following a night of drinking, Read struck O’Keefe with her SUV outside a Canton, Massachusetts, residence during a snowstorm and left the scene, leading to his death from blunt impact injuries and hypothermia.
Legal Proceedings: Read’s first trial began in April 2024 but ended in a mistrial due to a hung jury. Prosecutors have appealed to the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court for permission to retry her, with oral arguments scheduled for November 6, 2024.
Defense’s Position: Read maintains her innocence, suggesting that O’Keefe’s death was the result of a setup involving law enforcement colleagues. Her defense team argues that critical evidence was overlooked or mishandled during the investigation.
Public Support: A public Facebook group titled “Free Karen Read” has been established to rally support for her case.