25 Investigates: BPD Officer found dead in Canton suffered head injury

CANTON, Mass. — Questions and speculation abound over veteran Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe’s death.

But 25 Investigates has learned O’Keefe, whose body was found outside a Canton home during the weekend blizzard, suffered a serious head injury.

Authorities are now looking into the possibility he was struck by a vehicle, sources told investigative reporter Ted Daniel.

O’Keefe, a 16-year veteran of the force, was found in a snow bank at around 6 a.m. Saturday outside of the Fairview Road home of another Boston Police Officer. At the time the body was found, heavy snow was falling and temperatures were in the teens.

An autopsy was performed but a cause of death has not been officially determined.

The case is being handled by detectives assigned to the Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office.

According to the DA’s office, O’Keefe appeared to have been in the cold for some time.

A spokesman also said O’Keefe knew the people inside the house, which is about two miles from where he lived.

As Boston 25 News’ Bob Ward reported, Massachusetts State Police and Canton Police spent hours at the site on Saturday during the massive blizzard, processing the scene and collecting evidence.

On Monday, O’Keefe’s family visited the spot where his body was discovered and asked for privacy.

Officer O’Keefe is widely remembered for adopting and raising his niece and nephew after his sister died of cancer and her husband passed away shortly after.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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