The Lexus LX 570 at the heart of Karen Read’s legal saga was quietly sold in a private deal Thursday before it ever made it to the auction block in Woburn. Organizers pulled the plug on the live sale after the vehicle’s owner accepted an outside offer, leaving a small knot of spectators and reporters to watch the SUV roll off the lot. The abrupt move capped weeks of public fixation on the 2021 Lexus.
Owner Took Offer After Sparse Turnout
Justin Manning, who runs JJ Manning Auctioneers, told reporters that only a “single-digit” number of bidders had registered for the live auction and that the owner opted to accept a private offer instead of rolling the dice on the thin crowd, according to The Boston Globe. Manning said the seller believed the outside group was more likely to deliver a better result than Thursday’s turnout suggested. The Lexus had been parked outside Manzi Appraisers for public preview ahead of the planned sale.
Who Bought the Car, and Where the Money Might Go
As reported by CBS Boston, the Lexus is now in the hands of JB Auto of Weymouth, whose owner was identified as Bill Brusard. TMZ reported that the seller and a “mystery” buyer group were still ironing out final details and that proceeds were expected to be earmarked for Read’s legal defense, while both the buyer’s identity and the purchase price remained closely held.
Auction Terms, Condition And Interest
The auction listing required would-be bidders to show valid identification and at least $20,000 in bank funds to register, and it noted that the Lexus no longer has its navigation system, according to the auctioneer’s materials. As outlined by JJ Manning Auctioneers, the LX 570 was described as having about 12,000 miles. The Boston Globe reported there had been “steady” interest in the vehicle from museums and dealers before Thursday’s last-minute sale.
Legal Backdrop
Read was acquitted of murder and manslaughter at a retrial on June 18, 2025, though jurors did convict her on a lesser operating-under-the-influence charge, per AP News. Boston.com notes that the family of John O’Keefe has filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against Read in Plymouth Superior Court, meaning the SUV and any money tied to it could draw attention from the parties involved as the civil case moves forward.
What Happens Next
Manning told CBS Boston he expects the private sale to be finalized in the coming days, though the buyer’s plans for the Lexus have not been disclosed. For neighbors and trial watchers who made the trip to the Woburn lot, the sudden deal offered a tidy conclusion to the SUV’s public chapter, even as the legal battles tied to John O’Keefe’s death continue in court.
