Netflix gives green light to documentary about the death of John O'Keefe

Netflix takes a deep dive into the death of Boston police officer John O'Keefe in a new three-part documentary. The police officer was found in the snow on January 29, 2022 and was pronounced dead at hospital. O'Keefe's then-girlfriend, Karen Read, became the suspect and was charged with second-degree murder and manslaughter while operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol and leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death.



Read pleaded not guilty to all charges and her legal team argued that she was framed as part of a conspiracy by citizens and law enforcement to protect the real killers.

The murder trial was declared a mistrial on July 1, 2024, after the jury could not reach a unanimous verdict. Norfolk County prosecutors have announced they plan to retry the case, while the defense has had two charges dismissed.

Sandpaper Films is producing the documentary with Danielle Johnson and Rob Miller serving as co-directors. Susannah Price and Henry Singer are on board as executive producers.

“The team feels immensely privileged to be bringing this important series to a Netflix global audience. It is a case that has garnered a huge amount of public attention and has far-reaching implications,” the co-directors said in a statement. “We are also mindful that this is a hugely sensitive case, and we are determined to treat all those involved with the respect and consideration they deserve.”

The true crime genre is popular on Netflix, where the streaming service has capitalized on the production of documentaries like Making a Murderer, Killer Inside: The Mind of Aaron Hernandez, and American Murder: The Family Next Door, among many others.