Remember the Boston Marathon bombing that happened on April 15, 2013?
Back in the present day, Netflix has brought us not only archival footage and creepy reenactments from the time, but also exclusive interviews with those close to the events to really shed light on what many have found to be a comprehensive but difficult-to-watch event. For the rest of this article, we’ll talk about Karen McWatters, one of the many people who helped drive the story of the Netflix documentary called American Manhunt: Boston Marathon Bombing. How Karen was involved in the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing and more information about her, we will tell you in the rest of the article.
Meet Karen McWatters, One of the Boston Marathon Victims
Three people died as a direct result of the bombings at the Boston Marathon, and more than 100 were seriously injured. Karen McWatters, sitting here, found a seat near the finish line with Krystle Marie Campbell, a 29-year-old restaurant manager from Medford, Massachusetts, who was killed by the first bomb.
Karen attended the Boston Marathon with a group of friends to watch her running partner, Kevin McWatters, run.
So with the cameras rolling on Netflix, Karen shared that after the bombing, she was blown to the ground and was hit by a shower of BBs, shrapnel, and shrapnel. She said she remembers waking up on the sidewalk and smelling this “horrible” smell, while her ears were ringing a lot. Karen shared that she couldn’t really hear anything. She also remembers Krystal lying like a rag doll right next to her, their phones/identities being exchanged.
Karen was in Massachusetts General Hospital during this time, but the shrapnel had caused such extensive damage to her left leg that it had to be amputated below the knee in order for her to be able to walk. As for Krystal, the young, healthy woman unfortunately passed away at the scene, something her friend knew in her heart as soon as she regained consciousness due to what she had witnessed. Kevin was the one to break the news when asked, but not before taking the opportunity to be the only one by her side when she woke up to reiterate that he loved her and that everything would be okay.
The shrapnel caused such extensive damage to Karen’s left leg that it had to be amputated below the knee. Later, at the hospital, she was mistaken for Krystle. Her family could not find her and at that point, everyone thought she was Krystle.
The following year, Karen testified. She testified for the prosecution as Krystal’s friend.
Karen and Krystal quickly became best friends after meeting while working at the Summer Shack restaurant.
Where is Karen McWatters now?
More than two months after losing her left leg and her good friend in the explosion, Karen McWatters has been fitted with a new prosthetic leg.
Then known as Karen Rand, she stayed out of the spotlight while trying to find inspiration from others like her.
The loss of a body part is something Karen still struggles with over time. However, she is also determined to focus on the positive.
Since running in the 2015 Beach to Beacon race to support Melissa Estefania Salinas, she has never stopped doing things like this.
Are Karen McWatters and Kevin McWatters still married?
A year later on March 27, Karen married her longtime boyfriend, Kevin McWatters, and even changed her last name. As of April 2023, they are still married and together.
It took Karen months to recover, relearning to walk and function in her daily life. With the unwavering support of her loved ones, she managed to make it all work. Kevin, in particular, never left her side.
Karen McWatters Age
Karen McWatters was born in 1960. So she is 62 years old in 2022.
Karen McWatters’ work
For a time after the tragedy, Karen McWatters continued working as an administrative assistant for chef Jasper White and his partner, the owners of the Summer Shack restaurant in Massachusetts, where Karen lived for a decade before 2013. Krystal also worked there with her.
After the bombing, Karen was determined to get back to work and get her life back. Despite all the hardships, she was also delighted to discover that she could still swim and swam laps around her brother’s Scarborough pool.
Who are Karen McWatters’ parents?
Karen’s father, Richard L. Engelhardt, is no longer alive. He passed away at the age of 77 after a long illness. The son of the late Nora and Frederick Engelhardt, he grew up in South Portland, where he graduated from South Portland High School in 1955. On July 5, 1958, he and Linda Charron, Karen’s mother, were married. The family then moved to Westbrook, where they raised six children, including Karen.
So, by the time her father passed away, Karen’s parents had been married for 55 years.
Karen grew up with two brothers and three sisters. Her brothers are Daniel Engelhardt, who is married to Cheryl of Scarborough, and Roy Engelhardt of Port Charlotte, who is married to Kathryne. Her sisters are Laurie Perham (married to Dan of Naples), Sherry Rainsford of Raymond, Florida, and the late Susan Richard.
Related FAQs
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When is Karen McWatters’ birthday?
Karen McWatters’ birthday is in October.
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Where is Karen McWatters from?
Karen McWatters is from Westbrook, Cumberland County, Maine.
Since losing her left leg in the bombing, she has tried to keep it a secret. But she found herself returning to Maine often during her recovery. Back in 2013, when she first agreed to be interviewed about her trauma, she said she opened up about being a Maine girl and that all her family was there.
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Is Karen McWatters on Instagram and Facebook?
Yes. Karen McWatters can be found on Instagram and Facebook as of April 15, 2023.
Her IG @karenmcwatters has only 3 posts and 162 followers. So in comparison, she seems to be more active in sharing her life moments on Facebook ‘Karen F McWatters’.