Karen Reed engaged in flirtatious texting with another man just two weeks prior to the death of her police boyfriend, John O’Keefe, who was found in the snow. This revelation came during testimony at a murder trial on Friday.
In the messages exchanged starting January 2022, Brian Higgins, an agent with the Alcohol Bureau, complimented Reed, saying, “You’re hot.” Reed questioned if he was serious, to which Higgins affirmed his sincerity.
“Emotions are mutual,” Reed responded. “Is that bad?”
A state sergeant read the texts in Dedham, Massachusetts, where the officer’s death was under investigation. Yuri Bukhenik, overseeing the case, disclosed that the communication spanned around two weeks beginning January 12, 2022.
Reed had mentioned that she got Higgins’ contact from mutual acquaintances and was curious about his relationship status. Higgins replied he was single and had been divorced since 2017, humorously stating, “I’m not a hoe.”
Reed acknowledged this and expressed that it was “good for you,” as they both admitted to being attracted to one another.
In their exchanges, Higgins revealed, “I’ve always been attracted to you,” and they began to text about their encounters, with Reed later expressing pleasure in seeing him.
At one point, Higgins questioned Reed if she had ended things with O’Keefe, who had allegedly been seeing someone else while on vacation, creating a complicated situation.
The judge appeared taken aback as the messages revealed Reed had minimized her encounter with Higgins, stressing that it was nothing significant, just “pecs,” perhaps trying to downplay the implications of their interaction.
Ultimately, the communication concluded with Reed sending a cold message: “John is dead.” This shocked the jury when it was read aloud.
During a previous trial, opinions were divided, but Higgins had testified that Reed had kissed him, adding, “I’m not proud of these text messages,” though he admitted feeling physically attracted to her.
Reed, 45, faces allegations of O’Keefe’s murder, accused of driving him and leaving him outside his home during a snowstorm after a night out. Both were at a bar with Higgins before Reed dropped O’Keefe off at a friend’s house party.
Reed has pleaded not guilty to murder, manslaughter, and leaving the scene of a fatal incident, claiming her innocence and alleging a broader law enforcement cover-up, suggesting that O’Keefe may have died at his friend Brian Albert’s house instead.
Reed’s defense team previously tried to place blame on Albert and others involved, though in her second trial, there are now tighter restrictions on discussing alternative suspects, specifically limiting claims about their involvement in O’Keefe’s death.
