- Frasier star Kelsey Grammer’s sister Karen was raped and murdered in 1975
- The award winning actor admitted he has learned to forgive the brutal killer
- Freddie Glenn was sentenced to death for the teenager’s rape and murder
- Grammer told Desert Island Discs said he objects to Glenn getting released
Kelsey Grammer, star of Cheers and Frasier, today reveals the personal heartbreak he still feels following the brutal murder of his sister Karen in 1975.
In a moving interview with BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs, Grammer says that he honours his sister’s memory by ensuring her killer remains behind bars.
Grammer, 62, said: ‘I have learnt to forgive. I have even told the guy I forgive him, although I don’t advocate his freedom. I don’t think that is reasonable.’
Kelsey Grammer said he still feels the personal heartbreak following the murder of his sister
18-year-old Karen Grammer, left, was murdered and raped in 1975 by Freddie Glenn, right
The star, who has twice helped to block attempts by killer Freddie Glenn to get parole, said it was important to speak up for the rights of victim’s families. He said: ‘In a letter to the parole board, I said the punishment shouldn’t be worse for the family than it is for the guy that killed the person and that’s what this feels like sometimes.’
Grammer, who was 20 at the time, said the murder had almost pushed him over the edge and his belief in God was shattered, but he has since recovered his faith.
Glenn was convicted in 1976 of killing Karen Grammer, 18, and two other victims chosen at random the year before.
After repeatedly raping Karen, Glenn stabbed her in the throat, neck and hand before leaving her to die.
He received the death penalty but it was overturned on appeal.
- Desert Island Discs is on BBC Radio 4 today at 11.15am.