Shivangi Sinha
In January 2022, former police officer John O’Keefe was discovered severely injured outside a home in Canton, Massachusetts. He died shortly after from blunt force trauma and hypothermia. As the investigation unfolded, suspicion turned toward his girlfriend, Karen Read, who was charged in connection with his death. However, her defense team argued that the real suspect was Brian Albert, another Boston police officer, outside whose home John was found. NBC’s ‘Dateline: Center of the Storm’ and ABC’s ’20/20′ episode ‘Karen Read: The Verdict’ explore the complexities of the case and examine Albert’s alleged involvement in greater detail.
Brian Albert Invited John O’Keefe and Karen Read to His House the Night the Former Was Killed
Brian Albert had served as an officer with the Boston Police Department for many years. He and his wife, Nicole Albert, lived at 34 Fairview Road in Canton, Massachusetts, where they maintained a tight-knit circle of friends and family. On the evening of January 28, 2022, the couple spent time with several people, including Nicole’s sister, Jennifer McCabe, her husband, Matthew, ATF agent Brian Higgins, and Brian’s brother, Chris, along with the latter’s wife, Julie. Chris’ friend John O’Keefe and his girlfriend Karen Read joined the group. After spending time at C.F. McCarthy’s and the Waterfall Bar & Grille, Brian invited everyone back to his house for an after-party.
Brian stated that he didn’t know John very well and had never met Karen before that night, but he still extended the party invitation to them out of courtesy. According to him, although John and Karen agreed to come, they never actually showed up. Karen, however, told a different story. She alleged she dropped John off outside Brian’s house after an argument between them and chose to return home because she wasn’t feeling well and saw him entering the house. Brian maintained that he had no idea anything had happened outside his home until around 6:00 or 6:30 am, when his sister-in-law, Jennifer McCabe, informed him. He reportedly never stepped outside to check.
Brian Albert Testified Against Karen Read at Her Trial
In February 2023, Karen Read was formally arraigned for the murder of John O’Keefe. Two months later, in April, her defense team introduced a new theory. They alleged that Brian Albert and others present at the party in his home had been involved in the incident that led to John’s death. According to them, a private investigator had come forward shortly after Karen’s arraignment, alleging that Brian and his nephew, Colin Albert, had an altercation with John, struck him, and dragged him onto the lawn. They even alleged that the dog in the house had attacked John.
The defense further highlighted that he had sold his house and rehomed the dog shortly after the incident, though Brian has denied any connection. During Karen’s trial in April 2024, Brian testified that he had fully cooperated with law enforcement from the beginning. He stated that he had not gotten out of his house because he did not want to get in the way. He denied any wrongdoing and insisted that his actions related to his house and his dog were unrelated to the case. Ultimately, no charges were ever filed against him, and the allegations lacked sufficient evidence to be deemed credible.
Brian Albert Has Been Staying Updated on Karen Read’s Case Even Today
Brian Albert retired from the Boston Police Department on September 4, 2023, after serving for over 30 years. His final role was with the department’s Fugitive Unit, and over the course of his long career, he had risen to the rank of Sergeant. He remains married to Nicole Albert, and their children, Caitlin and Brian Jr., remain central to his life. Brian is also known to share a strong connection with his brothers, Chris and Kevin Albert, both of whom reside in Canton, Massachusetts.
In June 2025, after Karen Read was acquitted in her second trial, Brian, Nicole, and several others who were present at their home the night John O’Keefe died issued a joint statement. They offered condolences to John’s family and described the verdict as a miscarriage of justice. Since then, Brian has stayed largely out of the public eye, maintaining a low profile in light of the scrutiny the case brought upon him and his family.
Read More: Michael Proctor: Where is the Ex-Lead Investigator Today?
