Carolyn and Eugene Slattery, Karen’s parents, were devastated by their daughter’s death. The horrific murders of two innocent women, Karen Slattery and Georgianna Worden, devastated the peaceful villages of Delray Beach and Boca Raton, Florida in 1984.
Duane Owen’s horrific actions shook the entire area, destroyed families and terrified the population. These sad events are now being reenacted as part of The Palm Beach Post’s new True Crime series. In this article, we look at the tragic case of Karen Slattery, a 14-year-old nanny, and the devastating effect her death had on her family and community.
Karen Slattery’s parents: Carolyn and Eugene Slattery
Carolyn and Eugene Slattery, Karen’s parents, were devoted to their daughter. Karen’s mother, Carolyn, and father, Eugene, adored her and had high expectations for her future. She is remembered as a kind and compassionate young lady with a natural desire to help others. Karen’s love was babysitting and she excelled at it. She had a stellar reputation in the neighborhood as a dependable and reliable babysitter, which made her highly sought after.
Sister Karen Slattery
Parents entrusted their children to her because they knew she would provide them with exceptional care. Karen’s unexpected death has far-reaching consequences beyond her immediate family. Carolyn and Eugene were not alone in their grief as the community grappled with the senseless murder that took the life of such a dear and vivacious woman. Karen’s death served as a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the ever-present fear of violence.
What happened to Karen Slattery? Murder investigation
On that tragic March night in 1984, Karen Slattery was babysitting a 7-year-old and a 3-year-old in a Delray Beach home. Duane Owen, a cruel and deadly guy, was lurking in the darkness, unbeknownst to her. Owen broke into the home through the bedroom screen and approached Karen in the kitchen. The details of the encounter are disturbing and very disturbing. Karen managed to call her mother around 10 p.m., but her dead body was found at 12:30 a.m. when the children’s parents arrived home. Owen brutally stabbed Karen 18 times before sexually assaulting her. The discovery of the horrific murder of Karen Slattery shook the town to its foundations. Fear gripped the parents, breaking their sense of security.
Sister Karen Slattery
Debbi Johnson is the sister of Karen Slattery and the younger sister of the family. She was only eight years old when Karen was killed in 1984. In an interview, Debbi spoke about her experiences and observations about her relationship with her older sister. Debbi Johnson admits that her memories of Karen are limited due to the passage of time and the emotional pain associated with her death.
She says it’s hard for her to look at family photos because they bring back bittersweet memories of better days spent with her parents, older brother and Karen. Debbi, who now lives in Islamorada and works in the police force, decided to preserve these pictures because it is difficult for her to relive the memories they carry.
Categories: Entertaintment
Source: HIS Education