After Her Acquittal, Karen Read Filed a Civil Lawsuit Accusing Police

Karen Read, acquitted of murdering her boyfriend, Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe, filed a civil lawsuit in Bristol County Superior Court in November 2025, naming eight defendants and accusing them of orchestrating O’Keefe’s death and framing her for the crime. O’Keefe was found dead in a snowbank outside the Canton, Massachusetts home of Brian and Nicole Albert in January 2022. After two trials - the first ending in a hung jury, the second in acquittal on murder charges - Read was convicted only of operating under the influence and sentenced to probation.

The Conspiracy Alleged

Read’s lawsuit claims O’Keefe was killed inside the Alberts’ home during a late-night gathering, and that those present staged his body in the snow to frame her. According to the complaint, after an altercation at the party, the group searched online for “how long to die in the cold,” moved O’Keefe outside, and made it appear he had been struck by a vehicle. The suit accuses the investigators of ignoring evidence of a physical attack - including bruises, lacerations, a deep gash to the back of O’Keefe’s head, and dog bite wounds - and of never examining the Alberts’ German Shepherd despite its history of aggression.

The eight defendants named are: former Massachusetts State Police investigator Michael Proctor, Sgt. Yuriy Bukhenik, Lt. Brian Tully, Brian and Nicole Albert, Jennifer and Matthew McCabe, and ATF agent Brian Higgins. The Massachusetts State Police and the Town of Canton may be added later. The suit accuses Proctor - who was fired earlier in 2025 after private messages demeaning and sexualizing Read were revealed - of having close personal ties to the Alberts, secretly communicating with them through his sister, and steering the investigation away from the house party guests.

Defendants’ Response and Legal Status

Brian and Nicole Albert, Jennifer and Matthew McCabe, and Brian Higgins indicated plans to countersue Read and a blogger for defamation, calling the allegations “a continuation of a baseless conspiracy narrative.” Judge Daniel O’Shea dismissed one emotional distress claim against Read but allowed other claims to proceed. Legal experts anticipated the evidentiary and discovery phase to extend well into late 2026. The civil lawsuit could also be consolidated with a wrongful death suit filed by O’Keefe’s family against Read.

References: Karen Read Sues, Says She Was Framed in O’Keefe Case | Karen Read files lawsuit alleging coverup in death of John O’Keefe | Karen Read wins part of civil lawsuit motion, loses other part