In a tragic event dating back to 1984, a 14-year-old girl, Karen Slattery, met a horrifying fate when a disturbed killer broke into the residence where she was babysitting two children. This incident was one of the notorious crimes committed by Duane Owen. Karen, a high school freshman with a bright future, was known for her popularity as a babysitter and her talent as a rising star in diving at Pope John Paul High School, aspiring to join the U.S. team.
Karen, who had recently gotten her braces removed, was mercilessly attacked while looking after two young children. The assailant, Owen, forcibly entered the home, leading to a tragic confrontation in the kitchen where Karen was brutally assaulted. Despite Karen’s valiant efforts to reach out to her mother, the parents of the children tragically discovered her lifeless body later that night. Owen had not only raped Karen but also mercilessly stabbed her 18 times, leaving the other children unharmed.
During the legal proceedings, Owen claimed his rights were not properly explained by the officers, leading to a retrial in 1999. He later asserted his insanity and mentioned a misguided quest for hormonal treatments on the night of Karen’s murder. Despite his defense, the jury convicted Owen, sentencing him to death. Owen contested the verdict, alleging his attorney had not adequately presented evidence of his troubled childhood.
Owen’s upbringing was marked by challenges, with his mother’s alleged alcoholism and his father’s subsequent suicide when he was just a child. Owen confessed to substance abuse from a young age, painting a grim picture of his early life. Despite multiple appeals, including one following a Florida Supreme Court ruling on non-unanimous jury recommendations in death penalty cases, Owen’s conviction in the Slattery case remained unchanged.
Just two months after Karen’s tragic murder, Owen continued his violent spree by claiming the life of Georgianna Worden in Boca Raton. Court records detailed the brutal assault on Worden, who was struck multiple times with a hammer, leading to her untimely demise. Subsequent attacks on other women in Boca Raton with blunt objects further underscored Owen’s reign of terror. Despite the mounting evidence against him, Owen’s legal battles extended over decades, with his initial death sentence in 1985 remaining unchanged.
This tragic saga of violence and loss has left a lasting impact on the victims’ families and the community, highlighting the importance of justice and accountability in the face of such heinous crimes.