Shivangi Sinha
The murder case of John O’Keefe has seen numerous twists, conflicting narratives, and a range of individuals drawn into the spotlight. Despite intense scrutiny and multiple allegations, no criminal convictions have been made to date. Both NBC’s ‘Dateline: Center of the Storm’ and ABC’s ‘20/20’ episode titled ‘Karen Read: The Verdict’ chronicle the unfolding events in detail. Among the key figures frequently mentioned is Brian Higgins, an ATF agent who was reportedly present at the residence near where John’s body was discovered in January 2022 in Canton, Massachusetts. His name has become one of the central ones in the broader discourse surrounding the case.
Brian Higgins Had Allegedly Been Texting Karen Read Weeks Before the Murder
On the evening of January 28, 2022, Brian Higgins, an agent of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), was part of a social gathering that included Brian and Nicole Albert, Jennifer and Matthew McCabe, Karen Read, and John O’Keefe. The group visited two bars in Canton, Massachusetts, before being invited to the Alberts’ residence at 34 Fairview Road. Reports indicate that Higgins accompanied them and remained at the house that night. According to Albert, the gathering ended around 1:30 am. The next morning, at approximately 6 am on January 29, O’Keefe was discovered severely injured outside the same residence and passed away hours later.
Just weeks later, in February 2022, Read was formally arraigned on murder charges. As the case unfolded, it became clear that there was far more complexity beneath the surface. In April 2024, during the start of Read’s first trial, her defense team revealed that they had previously received a tip from a private investigator who alleged that individuals inside the house, including Brian Higgins, were involved in a physical altercation with O’Keefe that led to his death. Higgins’ name emerged as part of these serious accusations.
Additionally, the defense introduced text messages exchanged between Higgins and Read from mid-January 2022, just weeks before the incident. The messages were flirtatious in tone, with Higgins expressing interest in Karen and complimenting her physical appearance. She acknowledged that they had started texting after a vacation in Aruba, during which she and John had reportedly argued. She denied that it was an affair, characterizing the interaction as playful and insignificant. Higgins was later called to testify in court, where he read some of those messages aloud and confirmed the nature of the conversations.
Brian Higgins is Reportedly Working as an ATF Agent Even Today
In February 2025, during Karen Read’s second trial, attention once again shifted to ATF agent Brian Higgins. In pre-trial hearings, her defense laid out a theory alleging that Higgins had gotten into a heated argument with John O’Keefe, possibly driven by jealousy, and was involved in a physical altercation that led to John’s death. During the trial, the defense presented two pieces of CCTV footage that raised significant questions. One video presented by the defense showed Higgins at the Canton Police Department early on the morning of January 29, 2022 — an appearance the defense claimed had not been previously disclosed. He was seen moving between two cars while holding a bag.
The second clip was from the Waterfall Bar & Grille, which was the last place John was seen alive. It allegedly appeared to show tension or a confrontation between O’Keefe and Higgins as they stood in the corner of the bar and gesticulated animatedly. The defense also alleged that Higgins destroyed his phone and SIM card shortly after the incident. Higgins took the stand to deny all accusations, stated that his actions were unrelated to the case, and denied any argument with John. He maintained that he had no role in John’s death. As of the most recent reports, Higgins continues to serve as an ATF agent in Massachusetts. Since the second trial ended without a conviction for Read, he has remained largely out of the public spotlight and has not made any public statements regarding the case. To date, Brian Higgins has not been charged in connection with John O’Keefe’s death and has denied any involvement.
Read More: John O’Keefe’s Sister and Brother-in-Law: How Did Kristen and Stephen Furbush Die?
