UPDATE: A horrific murder case from 1984 continues to resonate as new developments emerge regarding the brutal death of 14-year-old Karen Slattery. The teenager was tragically killed while babysitting two children in their Boca Raton home, and the chilling details of her last moments have shocked the community once again.
This disturbing incident occurred on May 19, 1984, when Duane Owen, a convicted murderer, broke into the house, cutting through a bedroom screen. Authorities report that Karen was minding two children, aged seven and three, when Owen attacked her at around 10 PM. Just hours later, at 12:30 AM, the children’s parents discovered Karen’s lifeless body. She had been raped and stabbed 18 times, while the young children remained unharmed.
The legal saga surrounding Owen has reignited public interest. Initially sentenced to death in 1985, Owen’s claims of “insanity” during a 1999 retrial did not sway the jury. He alleged that he was searching for hormones to transition into a woman at the time of the murder. Despite these claims, he was once again sentenced to death, highlighting the overwhelming evidence against him.
In a courtroom filled with tension, Owen’s troubled past emerged. He claimed childhood trauma, including the deaths of both parents by the time he was 13, contributing to his violent behavior. A neighbor revealed the chaotic environment he grew up in, stating, “It was the only house I know to have beer delivered by a beer truck.”
As of 2017, Owen sought to appeal the verdict once more, following a ruling by the Florida Supreme Court regarding death sentences that lacked unanimous jury recommendations. However, the legal battles continue, and Owen remains on death row, with his fate still undecided.
The chilling narrative doesn’t end with Karen. Just weeks after her murder, Owen struck again, brutally killing 38-year-old Georgianna Worden in her Boca Raton home. She suffered multiple blows from a hammer and could have been alive for up to an hour after the initial attack. Her 13-year-old daughter discovered her mother’s body the next morning, a devastating scene that further shattered the local community.
Owen’s violent spree did not stop with Worden; he attacked two more women with blunt objects, further cementing his reputation as a dangerous criminal. During the investigation of Worden’s murder, police matched a fingerprint found on a book at her bedside to Owen, leading to his conviction in 1986.
The emotional impact of these crimes continues to haunt the families and residents of Boca Raton. The community is left grappling with the loss of innocent lives and the looming presence of a killer who once roamed their streets.
As the legal proceedings unfold, many are left wondering: what happens next? Will Owen’s appeals lead to a reduction in his sentence, or will justice finally be served for the families of Karen Slattery and Georgianna Worden?
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story. The fight for justice continues as the community seeks closure and answers.
