The investigation into the death of Boston police officer John O'Keefe has been described as a "disaster from the start," according to veteran crime reporter Dave Wedge, author of the new book "Blizzard of Lies." Wedge claims that investigators' initial belief in an open-and-shut case may have prevented justice for O'Keefe's family.
Karen Read, 45, was acquitted in June 2025 of second-degree murder and leaving the scene resulting in death. Prosecutors had alleged that she drunkenly backed her SUV into O'Keefe, 46, and left him to die in the snow outside a home in Canton, Massachusetts, in January 2022. Read was convicted only of operating under the influence and received probation.
Wedge stated that while the verdict was legally appropriate, the acquittal left O'Keefe's loved ones without closure. His book examines O'Keefe's death, the two criminal trials of Read, volatile details of their relationship, evidence excluded from court, and allegations of misconduct.
Allegations of Misconduct and Bias
The case gained national attention, with supporters of Read rallying outside the courthouse. The defense team challenged the police work, highlighting vulgar texts exchanged by lead investigator Michael Proctor, a former Massachusetts State Trooper. Proctor sent messages about Read's appearance and made offensive remarks, including calling her a "whack job c***" and expressing hope that she would "kill herself."
Proctor was eventually fired. The defense also questioned the handling of evidence, the alleged failure to thoroughly search the home where O'Keefe was found, and the investigation's immediate focus on Read. Wedge contends that investigators had a suspect they believed made a drunken confession, leading them to treat the case as open-and-shut.
Norfolk County District Attorney Michael Morrissey later elevated the charge against Read from manslaughter to second-degree murder. "Once that happened, the stakes increased and Read and her attorneys tore the investigation apart, exposed the misconduct of several officers involved, and launched a media and social media campaign that turned Karen Read into a folk hero and a symbol of the nation's broken justice system," Wedge said. He described the grassroots movement to "Free Karen Read" as unprecedented in his 25 years covering crime.
The Rise of 'Turtleboy'
The case also brought prominence to blogger Aidan Kearney, known as Turtleboy, who became a vocal supporter of Read and fueled the online movement. Kearney has since been charged with witness intimidation and harassment and has pleaded not guilty.
Wedge described Kearney as a "previously little-known local blogger who has since become a social media star by blowing the case wide open through his dogged reporting and fearless, if offensive to many, online persona."
Relationship Dynamics and O'Keefe's Career
Wedge's book also delves into Read and O'Keefe's relationship, including claims of jealousy on Read's part. The author states he uncovered new details, such as an incident where Read allegedly lunged at O'Keefe during an argument after a day of drinking, requiring O'Keefe's brother to intervene. Another account from O'Keefe's niece describes Read exploding with jealousy when O'Keefe hugged a female family friend.
The book also details O'Keefe's career as a decorated Boston police officer of 16 years. He was among the first responders to the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings and the subsequent shootout with the bombers in Watertown. Wedge highlighted that O'Keefe had taken in his niece and nephew after their parents' deaths, a fact he believes has been overshadowed by the legal proceedings.
Lingering Questions and Civil Lawsuits
Despite Read's acquittal, O'Keefe's family has not seen closure. They have filed a wrongful death civil lawsuit against Read and two Canton bars, CF McCarthy's and the Waterfall Bar and Grille, alleging over-serving alcohol prior to O'Keefe's death. Both bars deny liability.
Read has also filed a civil lawsuit against the Massachusetts State Police and the Canton Police Department, claiming a misogynistic culture led to corrupt officers framing her. Wedge believes the criminal trials marked the end of the road for finding definitive answers about O'Keefe's death, suggesting the civil trials may offer further proceedings.
Wedge posits that the enduring impact of the Read case lies in what it revealed about trust, policing, and community loyalties, particularly in suburban Boston. He noted that for many, the case hit close to home due to the alleged misconduct of officers, familiar small-town politics, and personal connections to individuals involved.
While Read is free and her supporters feel vindicated, the investigation remains under scrutiny. For O'Keefe's family, the central issue persists: they still do not know the full story of how he died.
"Blizzard of Lies: Karen Read, John O'Keefe, and the Shocking Unsolved Murder in Cop Town, USA" was published by BenBella Books on July 28.