Meet Karen Slatterys Parents: Carolyn and Eugene Slattery
Carolyn and Eugene Slattery, who are Karen’s parents, were deeply saddened by the death of their daughter. The tragic killings of Karen Slattery and Georgianna Worden in 1984 had a profound impact on the peaceful communities of Delray Beach and Boca Raton in Florida.
The shocking actions of Duane Owen sent shockwaves throughout the area, causing devastation for families and instilling fear in the population. The Palm Beach Post’s new True Crime series revisits these tragic events. In this article, we delve into the heartbreaking case of Karen Slattery, a 14-year-old babysitter, and the profound effect her death had on her family and the community.
Karen Slattery’s Parents: Carolyn and Eugene Slattery
Carolyn and Eugene Slattery, Karen’s parents, were devoted to their daughter. They held high hopes and deep affection for Karen. She was remembered as a kind, caring young woman with a natural inclination to help others. Karen had a passion for babysitting, and she excelled in this role, earning a stellar reputation in the neighborhood as a dependable and trustworthy babysitter, in high demand.
Parents trusted her with their children because they knew she would provide exceptional care. Karen’s unexpected death had far-reaching effects beyond her immediate family. The community grappled with the senseless murder that had taken the life of such a cherished and vibrant young woman. Her death served as a stark reminder of life’s fragility and the pervasive fear of violence.
Murder Investigation: What Happened to Karen Slattery?
Karen Slattery was babysitting a 7-year-old and a 3-year-old at a Delray Beach house on that tragic March night in 1984. Unbeknownst to her, Duane Owen, a cruel and deadly individual, was lurking in the darkness. Owen broke into the home through a bedroom screen and confronted Karen in the kitchen.
Details of the encounter are distressing and unsettling. Karen managed to call her mother around 10 p.m., but her lifeless body was discovered at 12:30 a.m. when the children’s parents returned home. Owen had brutally stabbed Karen 18 times before sexually assaulting her. The revelation of Karen Slattery’s horrific murder shook the town to its core, leaving parents gripped by fear and shattered security.
Karen Slattery’s Sister
Debbi Johnson, Karen Slattery’s sister and the family’s younger sibling, was only eight years old when Karen was murdered in 1984. In an interview, Debbi shared her experiences and reflections on her relationship with her older sister. She acknowledges that her memories of Karen are limited due to the passage of time and the emotional pain associated with her death.
She expresses the difficulty in looking at family photographs as they evoke bittersweet memories of happier times spent with her parents, elder brother, and Karen. Debbi, who now resides in Islamorada and works in law enforcement, has chosen to preserve these images despite finding it challenging to relive the memories they hold.
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