Credit: Netflix

After what felt like a brief hiatus, Netflix is charging in with a new streak of true-crime content in November, including the long-awaited The Trials of Karen Read.

Announced first in 2024, the upcoming three-part documentary digs deep into the high-profile death of Boston police officer John O’Keefe, exploring the trials of his girlfriend Karen Read, the conflicting theories, and viral public conspiracies.

While several other networks and streaming services have covered the controversial 2022 case, including Investigation Discovery’s A Body in the Snow: The Trial of Karen Read, the upcoming Netflix true-crime documentary, co-directed by Danielle Johnson and Rob Miller, has been long eyed. But for those unaware of the real-life case, here’s a rundown of the true story behind it.

According to CBS News, O’Keefe, Read, and a group of friends went to the Waterfall Bar and Grill on October 28th, 2022. The next day, on January 29th, O’Keefe was found dead in a pile of snow on the lawn of another law enforcement officer’s house in Canton, Massachusetts. Per the prosecutors, Read consumed alcoholic beverages and allegedly drove O’Keefe to police officer Brian Albert’s house.

In the immediate aftermath, Read was accused of drunkenly hitting O’Keefe with her SUV and leaving him to die. However, her defence team argued that she was being framed for a deep-seated cover-up by highly influential people, including law enforcement and people inside the house.

Read was reportedly charged with second-degree murder while operating under the influence of alcohol and leaving the scene of a motor vehicle collision causing death. The Norfolk County grand jury indicted Read, but she pleaded not guilty in Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, where bail was set at $100,000. She posted bail and was released.

Her defence maintained Read’s innocence, pointing out a flawed investigation, conflicting witness statements, and questionable evidence.

Read’s first trial in 2024 ended in a mistrial due to a hung jury, which was followed by a second trial in 2025. In June 2025, the second trial allegedly acquitted her on all major charges, including second-degree murder and manslaughter. However, she was found guilty of operating a vehicle under the influence.

The Trials of Karen Read aims to provide an in-depth examination of the intense media storm that followed the trial, legal battles, the 2024 mistrial, and the high-stakes proceedings ripped from the headlines. Scheduled for release on November 23rd, the Netflix documentary is shaping up to be a highly anticipated true-crime documentary this year. So, save the date and mark your calendars!