• Kelsey Grammer reveals sister, Karen, was brutally murdered in 1975, and he struggled with grief and addiction afterward.
• The killers, led by Freddie Glenn, were convicted of Karen’s murder and other violent crimes, with Glenn serving a life sentence.
• Kelsey reflects on the impact of his sister’s death in his book, Karen: A Brother Remembers, and continues to seek justice for her.

Kelsey Grammer’s Sister Karen: A Tragic Murder

Kelsey Grammer’s sister, Karen, was brutally murdered in 1975. This tragedy deeply impacted him. On July 8, 1975, Kelsey, who was 20 at the time, was at home with his family in Pompano Beach, Florida. That evening, detectives arrived at his door with shocking news. They had found a woman’s body in Colorado Springs, Colorado. They believed it was Karen.

Kelsey immediately flew to Colorado and confirmed the news. Karen had been killed a week earlier, just two weeks before her 19th birthday. Her death left Kelsey devastated. He struggled to cope with the grief and pain.

Kelsey’s Book on Karen’s Murder

Kelsey is releasing a book titled Karen: A Brother Remembers on May 6. The book reflects on his sister’s tragic death and how it changed his life. He shared that for a long time, grief overtook him. It was hard for him to find happiness. Writing the book allowed him to reflect and reach a new place with his emotions. It helped him process the loss and begin healing.

Karen’s Life Before the Murder

Karen had attended college in Georgia but decided to move to Colorado Springs to be with her boyfriend. On June 30, 1975, she spoke to Kelsey about her plans to return home to Florida after the Fourth of July. The next day, she went to work at Red Lobster. Karen planned to meet a friend there later. Hours after their conversation, she was kidnapped and murdered.

Kelsey became worried when he did not hear from his sister. He contacted the police. The authorities soon discovered that three men had entered the Red Lobster with plans to rob the restaurant. Instead of robbing the place, they noticed Karen. They decided to take her with them.

Karen’s Kidnapping and Murder

The three men forced Karen to leave the restaurant with them. They drove her to one of the men’s cars. His name was Freddie Glenn. The two other men went back to the restaurant. They ultimately decided not to rob it. They returned to Glenn’s car and found Karen tied up next to him. The men then drove her to an apartment. There, they took turns raping her.

Afterward, they drove Karen to an alley. Freddie Glenn stabbed her 42 times, killing her. Her life was tragically taken in a brutal and violent way.

Kelsey Grammer Reveals How He Struggles with Loss

After learning of Karen’s murder, Kelsey faced overwhelming grief. He had already lost his father, Allen, years earlier. Losing his sister added more pain. Kelsey struggled to cope with his emotions. In his book, he opens up about the dark years that followed. He reveals how alcohol and drugs became his way of coping.

From 1988 to 1996, Kelsey faced charges for drunk driving and drug possession. He even went to rehab at the Betty Ford Center. Despite his struggles, Kelsey kept working. He starred in Cheers and later in Frasier and pushed through his pain, even though it was difficult. He said, “I can look at the past and see, ‘Oh, well, you still did what you had to do.’”

The Killers of Karen Grammer

Freddie Glenn was convicted of Karen’s murder. He was also convicted for the deaths of two other men, Daniel Van Lone and Winfred Proffitt. Glenn killed Van Lone, a 28-year-old cook, during a robbery attempt in June 1975. A week later, he murdered Proffitt, a 19-year-old soldier. These killings were part of a pattern of violent crime.

In 1978, Glenn’s death sentence was changed to life in prison with the possibility of parole. However, he has been denied parole multiple times.

Kelsey Grammer Reveals Where Are Karen’s Killers Now

Freddie Glenn remains in prison, serving a life sentence for his crimes. He has been denied parole four times. In July 2009, Glenn apologized to the families of his victims. He expressed remorse for his actions. But Kelsey doesn’t believe Glenn’s apology. He called Glenn’s statements, like his claim of not remembering the rape, “bulls—.”

Kelsey feels conflicted. He understands the importance of forgiveness, but he also believes in justice. He says, “I can give you forgiveness, but you’re not going to get out of paying for it.” For Kelsey, keeping Glenn in prison is necessary for justice.

As for the other two men involved, Michael Corbett died in prison in 2019. The third accomplice remains unidentified.

Karen Grammer’s tragic murder left a lasting impact on Kelsey. He fought through years of grief and struggled with his emotions. Despite his struggles, he continues to seek justice for his sister. His upcoming book sheds light on his painful journey and his determination to keep Freddie Glenn behind bars. While the killers of his sister have faced justice, Kelsey remains committed to holding them accountable for their actions.