Bio

Richard Sharpe was born in 1954. He grew up in Shelton, Connecticut. From a young age, he showed an interest in medicine. After high school, Richard and his high school sweetheart, Karen, got married. They were both passionate about medicine. Richard went on to study to become a doctor, while Karen enrolled in nursing school.

In the mid-1980s, Richard Sharpe moved to Boston to finish his medical studies at Harvard Medical School. After he graduated, he built a successful career as a dermatologist. He taught at Harvard and opened a chain of hair removal clinics. Over the years, he became a millionaire.

Richard and Karen had three children. While they appeared to be a typical family, there were significant issues in their marriage. There were reports of conflict and domestic problems, including instances of abusive behavior. In the early 1990s, during a particularly heated moment, Richard was accused of stabbing Karen with a fork. Despite this, they continued to try to make their marriage work.

As time went on, Richard's behavior became more erratic. He had interests and habits that raised eyebrows, including cross-dressing. Reports indicate that he sometimes wore women's clothing and used hormones in an attempt to alter his body. This aspect of his life was kept secret from many people around him.

In the years leading up to the tragic events of July 2000, Karen and Richard's marriage fell apart. Karen filed for divorce and took out a restraining order against Richard, claiming that he had been abusive. Despite the serious nature of their issues, many of their friends were unaware of the extent of the marital problems.

Murder Story

On July 14, 2000, Richard Sharpe shot his estranged wife, Karen Sharpe, in the foyer of her home in Wenham, Massachusetts. At the time of the shooting, their two younger children, Karen's brother, and a babysitter were present in the house. Richard Sharpe fired a single shot with a high-powered rifle, resulting in Karen's death. After the incident, Sharpe fled the scene.

Soon after the murder, Richard Sharpe was arrested on July 16, 2000, in New Hampshire. He had been staying at a motel where a clerk recognized him from news reports. Sharpe was charged with murder and held without bail. His trial began in 2001, where he admitted to killing Karen but pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity.

On November 29, 2001, the jury found Sharpe guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced him to life in prison without the possibility of parole. During his time in prison, he attempted suicide in 2002. In the years following his conviction, there were claims that he tried to hire a hitman to kill the prosecutor from his trial, but he was acquitted of those charges in 2007.

On January 5, 2009, Sharpe was found hanged in his cell at MCI-Norfolk. An investigation was opened regarding the circumstances of his death.