A 66-year-old woman from Wisconsin has died following a violent assault while she was working as a horseback riding guide on a picturesque beach in Antigua and Barbuda.
A Fatal Attack on an Idyllic Shore
According to the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda, the incident occurred at approximately 11am on December 19 at Runaway Beach in Dickenson Bay. Karen Johannsen was struck in the back of the head with a blunt object while on horseback leading a tour.
Emergency services rushed the seriously injured woman to Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre for initial treatment. Due to the severity of her condition, she was airlifted two days later, on December 21, to the University Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin, which is roughly 2,500 miles away from the Caribbean islands.
Injuries and Tragic Outcome
Her family revealed the brutal nature of the attack, stating Johannsen sustained a fractured jaw, multiple broken bones, and a massive head injury. Upon her arrival in Wisconsin, doctors placed her on life support.
Medical professionals informed her loved ones that she would not recover any neurological function. Karen Johannsen was pronounced dead on December 26, exactly one week after the assault.
Investigation and Suspect Details
The Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda confirmed it has launched a homicide investigation. Officials stated that an unnamed male suspect is currently in police custody.
In interviews with media, the victim's sister, Lyn, identified the suspect as a former boyfriend of Johannsen. The police administration has expressed its condolences to Johannsen's family and loved ones.
Social media profiles indicated that Johannsen lived in Saint John's, Antigua and Barbuda, and regularly promoted her beach horseback riding tours. Her family has a long history in Madison, where her parents owned Johannsen’s Greenhouse, a local staple for 50 years before its closure in 2013.
In a touching final act, Lyn confirmed to Antigua News that her sister was a registered organ donor, with a procedure scheduled shortly after her death.
Community in Mourning
The news has sent shockwaves through communities in both Antigua and Wisconsin. Online tributes poured in, describing Johannsen as a "stellar lady" and a kind, helpful person. One acquaintance recalled shared adventures and ski trips, while another expressed devastation that her "next chapter" in Antigua ended so tragically.
The case highlights a shocking act of violence in a location synonymous with tranquil tourism, leaving many to mourn the loss of a woman who built her life around sharing the beauty of the Caribbean coast.
