Actor Kelsey Grammer is reflecting on the 1975 murder of his sister, Karen Grammer, in a new book titled "Karen: A Brother Remembers." The book recounts the events surrounding her death and the lasting impact it had on his life.
Karen Grammer was 18 when she was kidnapped in Colorado Springs, Colorado, raped, and stabbed to death. She had been waiting for her boyfriend at a Red Lobster restaurant, which the attackers intended to rob.
Grammer has described his initial reaction to the loss, stating he used drinking, drugs, and other behaviors to cope. He explained these actions started as a way to bury himself with his sister, but the initial pleasure faded, leaving him with the need to confront the grief.
Freddie Glenn was convicted in 1976 for the murder of Karen Grammer and two others. Another man, Michael Corbett, was also sentenced to life for the murders. Glenn was sentenced to death, but the Colorado Supreme Court overturned the state's death penalty in 1978, resulting in a life sentence. Glenn remained imprisoned until his death in 2019.
The book includes a letter from a district attorney detailing information about the case, including the attackers' motive for kidnapping Karen Grammer after suspecting she knew their plans.
Grammer also addresses his faith journey following the series of tragedies in his family, which also included the deaths of his father and two half-brothers. He stated that his faith became hollow, and he felt betrayed by it for a time. He now says his faith has strengthened through love, family, and the process of writing the new book. He and his wife, Kayte Walsh, named their first daughter Faith.
The memoir recounts details of Karen Grammer's final moments, drawing from police reports. Grammer writes about her attempt to reach help after being stabbed and the marks she left behind. He also discusses his disappointment upon learning the man at the doorstep she reached did not help her directly but called police after she collapsed.
Grammer has opposed Freddie Glenn's attempts for parole over the years. He feels a continued connection to the events as he lives with the loss.
He states that enduring the aftermath required determination, fueled by a desire not to let his sister or family down. Grammer believes he has an obligation to fulfill the life he was given, viewing anything less as an affront to his family and God.
Regarding healing, Grammer said he does not believe in the concept of closure for such a loss. He described living with grief as a balancing act, where fondness for the person lost can eventually stand level with the sorrow.
