Karen West interview

Thursday, August 1, 2024 – 5:23 p.m.

After their conversation with Lorraine Estrada, Detectives Armstrong and Murphy asked Karen West, another friend of Kelly Moran's, to come in for an interview.

Detectives Armstrong and Murphy spoke with Mrs. West at the Yoknapatawpha County Sheriff's Department.

Participants:

• Detective T. Armstrong
• Detective S. Murphy
• Karen West

Detective Murphy: Would you please state your name and address for the record?

Karen West: Karen West.

Detective Murphy: And your address?

Karen West: Umm. 428 Turnberry Court.

Detective Armstrong: Are you all right, Mrs. West?

Karen West: I'm good.

Detective Murphy: We're sorry about your loss.

Karen West: Kelly. Both our names start with K.

Detective Armstrong: Are you medicated, Mrs. West?

Karen West: A wee bit. I took a cab here. He's waiting for me outside. But I'm fully capable of answering your questions.

Detective Armstrong: That was a good idea, not to drive.

Detective Murphy: What kind of medication did you take?

Karen West: Something that helps me feel good. You can be sure I'll get the name the next time I talk to my friend.

Detective Murphy: What friend is that?

Karen West: I'm certain he'd rather I not mention his name to you. It also starts with a K. Did either of you ever notice how many things happen in threes?

Detective Armstrong: There's three of us here in this room, for example.

Detective Murphy: Would you say you and Kelly were close?

Karen West: Best friends. I still can't believe she's gone. The last time I saw her, she was so excited about South Carolina. Researching restaurants. Making plans.

Detective Murphy: Plans for what?

Karen West: We're going to Charleston, all us girls. Or we were. I don't know what we're doing now.

Detective Murphy: And when did Kelly come over to talk about the plans with you?

Karen West: Yesterday morning. She came over to my house around 11:00 a.m. so we could discuss the trip.

Detective Murphy: How long was she with you?

Karen West: Not long. We didn't even finish the pitcher of mimosas.

Detective Murphy: So she cut the visit short? Or did you?

Karen West: I don't know, honestly. But all of a sudden, she was angry at me. Accused me of going behind her back.

Detective Murphy: What did she mean by that?

Karen West: Your guess is as good as mine.

Detective Murphy: Did she think you and Russell had grown too close?

Karen West: That's laughable. Russell is so not my type.

Detective Armstrong: How would you describe their marriage?

Karen West: She wanted to have fun. He wanted to work. Connect the dots.

Detective Armstrong: Did she think he was having an affair?

Karen West: An affair sounds too much like fun to interest Russell.

Detective Murphy: How about Kelly? Was she seeing someone?

Karen West: If she was, she never told me.

Detective Armstrong: How has she seemed lately?

Karen West: Happy. Kelly never had any trouble feeling good.

Detective Armstrong: This friend who gave you the medication…

Karen West: Kenny?

Detective Murphy: Do you know Kenny's last name? … Karen? Did you hear my question?

Karen West: I said Kelly, not Kenny. Kelly. Someone broke into her house and killed her, and you sit here talking to me.

Detective Murphy: Where were you last night?

Karen West: My husband and I went out for dinner and a movie. We were celebrating the anniversary of our first date.

Detective Armstrong: Congratulations.

Karen West: My best friend is dead, detective.

Detective Murphy: Did you talk to her after she left your house? Talk, text, whatever?

Karen West: I had nothing more to say. Just like right now. If you'll excuse me, I have a taxi waiting.

Detective Armstrong: We'll be in touch. Next time we talk, maybe you'll be a little more clear-headed.

Karen West: You never know. Anything could happen.

Interview ended – 5:44 p.m.