25 Investigates: Federal investigation of Karen Read case is over, sources say

Two sources briefed on conversations that occurred between the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Boston and state and local law enforcement tell 25 Investigates that the federal probe of the Karen Read murder case has officially ended.

Karen Read tells her story in exclusive one-on-one interview: Watch the extended cut

The case centers on the death of Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe. Both sources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said federal prosecutors notified Massachusetts State Police, the Norfolk District Attorney’s Office, and the Canton Police Department last week that no charges would be filed.

One source said they expect Norfolk County Special Prosecutor Hank Brennan to announce the development when Read returns to court Tuesday for the continuation of a pretrial hearing that Judge Beverly Cannone abruptly ended last week.

'Grave concern': New info 'may have profound effects' on future of Karen Read case, judge says

As 25 Investigates reported in December 2023, the federal probe was run by the U.S. Attorney’s Public Corruption Unit and agents from the Boston FBI office assisted with it.

It was focused on widely publicized allegations that Read was framed for O’Keefe’s death by law enforcement and those she and O’Keefe had been drinking with in the hours before O’Keefe was found unresponsive outside 34 Fairview Road in Canton on the morning of January 29, 2022.

Multiple people were questioned before a federal grand jury including the state police detectives who arrested Read, along with witnesses for the prosecution.

The federal government provided 3,074 pages of documents from their investigation of Read’s case before her trial last April in Dedham’s Norfolk Superior Court. The documents included Trooper Michael Proctor’s offensive text messages about Read, grand jury testimony from prosecution witness Brian Higgins about the destruction of his cell phone, and findings from ARCCA, an engineering consulting firm that concluded that O’Keefe’s injuries did not appear to come from a vehicle strike.

Read is charged with second-degree murder and other charges. The Norfolk DA’s office alleges she struck O’Keefe with her SUV while driving in reverse.

0 of 123

Karen Read murder trial Karen Read smiles after listening to her attorney Alan Jackson during her trial at Norfolk County Superior Court, Friday, May 17, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read, 44, is accused of running into her Boston police officer boyfriend with her SUV in the middle of a nor'easter and leaving him for dead after a night of heavy drinking. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, Pool) (Charles Krupa/AP)

Karen Read Karen Read sits with her legal team team in court Thursday, May 2, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read, 44, is accused of running into her Boston police officer boyfriend with her SUV in the middle of a nor'easter and leaving him for dead after a night of heavy drinking. (David McGlynn/New York Post via AP, Pool) (David McGlynn/Karen Read sits with her legal team team in court Thursday, May 2, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read, 44, is accused of running into her Boston police officer boyfriend with her SUV in the middle of a nor'easter and leaving him for dead after a night of heavy drinking. (David McGlynn/New York Post via AP, Pool))

The conclusion of the federal probe comes one month after new U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts Leah Foley was appointed to replace Josh Levy, who resigned on Jan. 17, 2025.

25 Investigates reached out to the Norfolk DA’s Office, State Police, Canton Police Chief Helena Rafferty. None immediately responded.

Read’s defense and the U.S. Attorney’s Office declined to comment.

Boston 25 will stream Tuesday’s court hearing.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW