Frasier star Kelsey Grammer to release memoir about sister Karen's tragic murder nearly 50 years ago
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Kelsey Grammer will publish a memoir titled, Karen: A Brother's Love, which is about his late sister who was tragically murdered nearly 50 years earlier in 1975.
The Frasier star, 69 - who previously said that he 'forgives' his sister's murderer - opened up about penning the book during an interview with People, and shared that the memoir is a 'celebration of her life.'
In July 1975, his sister had been working at a Red Lobster in Colorado Springs when she was kidnapped by three men - including serial killer Fred Glenn - and was raped and stabbed to death. She was only 18-years-old.
In regards to the book - which will be published next year on May 6 - Grammer explained that it is, 'a vibrant, visceral, saturated, honest, ecstatic recounting of my sister’s days until her final desecration.'
He then expressed Karen: A Brother's Love 'is not a Grief book. It is a Life book, a celebration of Karen's life.'
'I wanted to tell Karen's story and at the same time include a bit about my life, our life together and the love we shared.'
Kelsey Grammer, 69, will publish a memoir titled, Karen: A Brother's Love, which is about his late sister who was tragically murdered nearly 50 years earlier in 1975; seen in April in Santa Monica
Kelsey added that, 'It is unflinching account, raw and punctuated with horror.'
'The words spilled from my mind to my fingers, and into the pages of this book. It poured from days long past, fresh and alive. Fifty years hence, I learned that love, that our love, is forever.'
The Cheers alum expressed that penning the memoir 'brought me great Joy. To see her smile again, that was really something.'
'And in hopes it might bring solace to those who have suffered like horrors, that's in there, too. From a loving brother, I invite you to meet Karen. To know her and remember her with me. Karen.'
The premise of the book 'explores the profound grief and devastation that followed Karen's death, as well as the long and arduous journey toward healing,' per an official synopsis.
'He bravely confronts the pain of losing a loved one to senseless violence, offering readers a glimpse into the complexities of coping with such a profound loss.'
Karen: A Brother's Love is 'not merely a memoir of loss, but a powerful testament to the enduring strength of the human spirit and the capacity for hope in the face of such overwhelming and devastating loss.'
'This book is a moving tribute to a life cut tragically short, a testament to the enduring bond between siblings, and a message of hope at a time when we need it the most.'
The Frasier star opened up about penning the book during an interview with People, and shared that the memoir is a 'celebration of her life'; seen above with Karen in 1974
He then expressed Karen: A Brother's Love 'is not a Grief book. It is a Life book, a celebration of Karen's life'
Grammer's memoir is currently available to preorder and will be published through Harper Select.
Karen had moved to Colorado Springs after graduating from high school and was working at a Red Lobster at age 18 when she was murdered.
Three men had attempted to rob the restaurant, including serial killer Fred Glenn. With two other accomplices, he kidnapped Karen and took her to an apartment, where she was raped and murdered.
She had initially been told that she would be released at a mobile park, but Glenn - who reportedly had taken LSD at the time - slit her throat, and left her to die.
Karen was able to make her way to a neighbor's home, but no one was there. She passed away on the back porch.
One week later, Grammer - who had been attending the Juilliard School at the time - identified his sister's body.
Glenn was convicted of Karen's murder in 1976, along with the deaths of two other victims. He initially been sentenced with the death penalty, but the Supreme Court later overruled the decision and ruled he could seek parole after 30 years.
However, Kelsey has blocked attempts for Glenn to seek parole twice, in order to have justice for his late sister and the two other victims.
The premise of the book 'explores the profound grief and devastation that followed Karen's death, as well as the long and arduous journey toward healing,' per an official synopsis; seen in 2021 in NYC
At a parole hearing in 2009, Grammer wrote a letter to the court which read, 'She was my best friend and the best person I knew. She had so much to live for. I loved my sister, Karen. I miss her. I miss her in my bones.'
'I was her big brother. I was supposed to protect her - I could not. I have never gotten over it... It very nearly destroyed me.'
Five years later in 2014, Glenn's bid for parole was also denied.
At the time, Kelsey had stated, 'I accept that you live with remorse, but I live with tragedy every day. I accept your apology. I forgive you. However, I cannot give your release my endorsement.'
Back in 2017, the actor opened up about living with grief and 'pain' following the horrific death of his sister.
The star has also lost other family members in tragic circumstances. Before the death of Karen, his father Allen had been shot and killed during a home invasion.
His half-brothers, Stephen and Billy, were also killed during a scuba diving accident in the Virgin Islands. Their mother suspected their deaths were caused by a shark attack.
At a parole hearing in 2009, Grammer wrote a letter to the court which read, 'She was my best friend and the best person I knew. She had so much to live for. I loved my sister, Karen. I miss her. I miss her in my bones'; seen in 2022 in NYC
During an interview with i News, the star expressed, 'I just put [that pain] where it is: in the past.'
'But it's a pain that you can always stumble into again – it's with you 24/7, especially in the case of tragic death, and there have been a few of those. It's just part of life. Maybe I learnt a little earlier than most, but it's just the way it goes.'
And a few months earlier in September of this year, Grammer discussed finding 'closure' after penning the memoir.
While talking to CBS Mornings, he explained that Karen's death was 'a deeply troubling act by three young men.'
And a few months earlier in September of this year, Grammer discussed finding 'closure' after penning the memoir; seen in September in Toronto
And when questioned why he made the decision to pen the book, Kelsey replied, 'Closure, grief...continuing closure for me.'
'And to pass on the idea that other people who have been through the same kind of grief, the same kind of just wrenching, forever grief, can turn to some things if they have the grace and the understanding that love is forever.'
The Frasier star added, 'That love you had is real and forever. It doesn’t disappear, and that helped me a lot.'
The actor expressed that it had taken 'a long time to come to a place' to feel ready to write the memoir about his sister.
