This blogger suspects a cover-up in a high-profile murder trial. He'll do anything to prove it.

A Massachusetts murder trial has all the ingredients of a true crime frenzy — a dead police officer, a girlfriend accused of killing him, murky evidence, and a blogger called Turtleboy who's turned the whole case into a pursuit for justice.

At the centre is Karen Read, who's about to face a jury for the second time after being charged with the murder of her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O'Keefe.

But while the courtroom prepares for opening arguments, the real chaos is happening online — where a growing army of amateur investigators and Reddit detectives are dissecting every detail of the case. And leading the charge is one very intense, very online man: Aidan Kearney, known to his followers as Turtleboy.

He's not a lawyer. He's not a cop. But he's acting like both — and he believes Karen Read is being framed by a network of corrupt insiders.

Now, as the second trial approaches, the prosecution says Turtleboy's phone data could reveal a lot more than theories. They say it shows something much darker — and possibly illegal.

Turtleboy is a proponent of the Free Karen Read movement. Image: Getty

Who is Karen Read, and what is she accused of?

Let's go back to January 2022.

Boston police officer John O'Keefe was found dead in the snow outside a fellow officer's home after a night of drinking. Prosecutors allege his girlfriend, Karen Read, reversed her Lexus SUV into him during a drunken argument and left him there to die.

She's now facing multiple charges, including second-degree murder, manslaughter, and leaving the scene of a fatal accident.

But Read insists she's innocent — and her legal team claims she's the victim of a cover-up involving law enforcement, prosecutors, and partygoers who were inside that house on the night O'Keefe died.

Her first trial ended with a hung jury in July 2024. Now, she's headed back to court, and the stakes are even higher.

Karen Read.. Image: Getty.

Enter: Turtleboy. Blogger. Chaos agent. Self-declared truth-seeker.

If you haven't heard of Turtleboy, allow us to introduce you to one of the most bizarre characters in this case.

His real name is Aidan Kearney, and he's a blogger known for controversial posts, unfiltered livestreams, and going absolutely feral on public corruption cases. The Karen Read trial has become his obsession — and he's positioned himself as the unofficial investigator of what he calls the "cover-up of the century".

Kearney has published thousands of pages of theories, texts, videos and commentary across his blog and YouTube, alleging that Karen Read is the victim of a massive conspiracy involving multiple police officers, prosecutors and even medical examiners.

He's personally livestreamed every court appearance, tracked down people he believes are lying, and confronted witnesses, like he's Hercule Poirot.

And the wildest part? People are listening. A growing number of online supporters have turned the "Free Karen Read" movement into a full-blown internet crusade, complete with hashtags, merch and real-life court protests.

The case has sparked major interest. Image: Getty.

But in a new twist, the focus has shifted — because Kearney's own actions have landed him in legal trouble, too.

Last week, a Massachusetts judge ruled that data from two phones belonging to Turtleboy can be used in court — and prosecutors say those messages paint a very different picture than what's been shared online.

According to new filings, prosecutors allege that Read shared defence materials, witness names, home addresses, and even autopsy photos with Kearney through encrypted messaging apps.

Prosecutors say those communications — which spanned months — show a "consciousness of guilt" and an attempt to influence the outcome of the case from behind the scenes.

They claim Turtleboy was encouraged to target and intimidate witnesses, and that his behaviour online was more than just obsessive. They argue it was strategic.

"Such communications included witness information, home addresses, grand jury minutes, autopsy photographs," the prosecution stated in the filing. "An inference can be made that the parties encouraged Mr. Kearney to personally attack witnesses and their family members with a sole purpose to embarrass, intimidate, harass, and deter these individuals from testifying."

The filing added, "The Commonwealth intends to use the data concerning certain communications found on Mr. Kearney's phones relating to such alleged witness intimidation — in light of the Defendant's ongoing communications with Mr. Kearney — as evidence of the Defendant's consciousness of guilt."

Read's legal team strongly denies that characterisation.

Her lawyers have described the move to use Turtleboy's phone data as overreach, and maintain that his investigations were independent of their strategy.

Kearney's lawyer, Tim Bradl, countered in court, "The fact that they communicated cannot be basis for a criminal investigation."

They've also pushed back on the notion that Read waived attorney-client privilege by speaking about her previous legal representation in media interviews — an issue that will be addressed again in her final pre-trial hearing.

Turtleboy. Image: Getty

Where things stand now.

Jury selection for Karen Read's second trial is scheduled to begin on April 1, with a final motions hearing set for March 25.

Turtleboy in court. Image: Getty

The prosecution is expected to argue for additional evidence to be handed over — including text messages between Read and her former attorney — while the defence continues to fight for control over what can be shown to the jury.

Kearney remains a deeply polarising figure in the case, with his texts, videos, and potential influence on witnesses now under scrutiny. His communications with key figures involved in the investigation — including members of the McCabe and Albert families — will also be reviewed by the court.

In the background, there's still a documentary crew working on the case. TikTok creators are breaking down court filings in real-time and Reddit threads are overflowing with speculation, theories, and emotionally invested sleuths.

What started as a tragic death has now spiralled into one of the most bizarre and internet-obsessed trials in recent memory — and whether you believe Karen Read is guilty or the victim of a grand conspiracy, one thing is certain: the story is far from over.

Feature Image: Getty.