The Lexus SUV driven by Karen Read the night her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O'Keefe, died in 2022 is scheduled for auction in January. Read was found not guilty of running over and killing O'Keefe with the vehicle during a highly publicized trial, though she was convicted of operating under the influence of alcohol and received a one-year probation sentence.
The car, a 2021 Lexus LX 570, was held as evidence by the Canton Police Department and later the Massachusetts State Police before being returned to Read in need of repairs. After having the SUV detailed, Read arranged for its sale through JJManning Auctioneers.
The tumultuous case garnered significant media attention, including podcast series, and Read accused law enforcement officers of framing her. She is currently involved in a civil lawsuit filed by O'Keefe's family and is also suing key investigators and witnesses from her trial, including former lead investigator Michael Proctor, who was dismissed after misconduct allegations.
O'Keefe was found dead outside a fellow officer's home on January 29, 2022; Read's defense argued his fatal skull fracture was inconsistent with being struck by her vehicle, while prosecution witnesses claimed they heard Read say, "I hit him."