Karen Read’s dramatic acquittal in the death of her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O’Keefe, has made national headlines.
But while she may be legally cleared, the fallout from this high-profile case is far from over.
A former federal agent now suggests the FBI could still be quietly digging into what really happened—and whether a cover-up involving local law enforcement might have taken place.
A Not Guilty Verdict, But No Closure
After a lengthy trial, Read, 45, was found not guilty of second-degree murder and manslaughter in connection with the January 2022 death of O’Keefe.
The prosecution had argued she struck him with her SUV and left him to die in a snowstorm. But jurors didn’t buy it.
Her defense painted a very different picture—one where Read was framed in a messy police corruption scandal. They alleged O’Keefe was actually killed inside a house in Canton, Massachusetts, by fellow officers and that Read became a convenient scapegoat.
Former Agent Thinks FBI Is Still Watching
Sean McDonough, a former DEA agent with three decades of experience, told DailyMail.com he believes the FBI is still quietly investigating.
He called the original Massachusetts State Police investigation “sloppy” and said it raised red flags typical of corruption and civil rights violations.
“In federal law enforcement, we always say, ‘We hold the stopwatch,’” McDonough said. “We can pause and pick up at any time.
That’s why I believe they’re playing the long game.”
Massachusetts State Police Responds to Fallout
Following the verdict, Colonel Geoffrey Noble of the Massachusetts State Police admitted the case had sparked internal reflection.
He said the department has already implemented reforms in training, oversight, and accountability, all in an effort to rebuild public trust.
“We’ll continue to improve,” Noble promised, “and stay focused on delivering policing that reflects our core values.”
A Trial Fueled by Allegations and Online Theories
Read’s legal saga gripped not just Boston, but the entire true crime community.
After her first trial ended in a hung jury, internet sleuths, supporters, and critics dug deeper into the case.
Some pointed to suspicious behavior from investigators, including vulgar and inappropriate text messages sent by State Trooper Michael Proctor—one of the key players in the investigation.
Proctor, who was later fired, denied on Dateline NBC that he had anything to do with framing Read.
Still, his text messages—mocking and objectifying Read—were a major part of the defense’s effort to show bias and misconduct.
A Divided Town and a Cloud of Suspicion
Despite the verdict, emotions continue to run high.
Many people in Canton believe there’s more to the story.
Read’s supporters rallied outside the courthouse, waving pink signs (later banned from inside court), and erupted in cheers when she was cleared of the most serious charges.
But those who were at the house party that night—like Brian Albert, where O’Keefe’s body was later found—released a statement saying the trial had been derailed by “conspiracy theories” and “misinformation.”
They called the verdict a “devastating miscarriage of justice.”
Central Questions Remain Unanswered
Prosecutors stuck to their theory that Read had been drunk, angry, and hit O’Keefe during an argument.
But the defense pushed back with forensic experts and the lack of physical evidence pointing to a collision.
They also zeroed in on an internet search made by one of the partygoers—“how long to die in the cold”—which happened before O’Keefe’s body was discovered.
The defense suggested this was evidence of foreknowledge, not coincidence.
Meanwhile, no forensic evidence was ever collected from inside the Albert home, leaving plenty of questions about what really happened that night.
FBI’s Silence May Not Mean Inaction
Even though the FBI hasn’t confirmed anything publicly, McDonough believes the agency is still watching closely.
“They’re small,” he said, “and they have to work with local and state departments, so they’re careful. But trust me, they’re not done.”
He suspects internal politics may have slowed things down, but he’s convinced federal investigators would not simply walk away without something concrete.
The Town’s Perspective and Ongoing Theories
Locals in Canton remain divided. Some feel Karen Read is a scapegoat. Others believe she got away with murder.
John Comeau, a longtime Canton resident who grew up with the Alberts, offered a middle-ground theory: “It might have been a drunken fight gone wrong, followed by panic.
People at the top gave orders, and others followed.”
He added, “It’s sad that we can’t have both justice for John and peace for Karen. There’s still too much we don’t know.”
Karen Read Speaks Out After Acquittal
After her acquittal, Read thanked her vocal supporters in an emotional speech outside the courthouse.
“No one has fought harder for justice for John O’Keefe than I have,” she said, standing beside her legal team.
Although she was cleared of the major charges, Read was found guilty of driving under the influence that night—a reminder of just how messy and complicated this tragedy really is.