Kelsey Grammer's Claim About His Late Sister Sparks Intense Fan Reactions Online

The veteran actor described an unusual experience that ultimately inspired him to write a deeply personal book.

During a May 15, 2025, appearance on "The View," Kelsey Grammer revealed what led him to write "Karen: A Brother Remembers," released May 6. He said a conversation with a Brazilian-born medium living in England convinced him it was time to tell his sister Karen's story—nearly 50 years after her violent murder. The emotional revelation touched many and stirred strong reactions across social media.

Speaking with the co-hosts, including Whoopi Goldberg, Grammer explained that although he had spoken about Karen's death before, he had never truly explored her life through her perspective.

That changed when he connected with a spiritual medium named Esther. During the session, she asked him to relax. Then, she told him something no one ever had, "Your sister wants you to tell her story."

That moment marked a turning point. Grammer began collecting photos, memories, and fragments of Karen's life, filling his dining room walls with reminders of the sister he lost.

As he wrote, one quote from "Hamlet" kept returning to him, "There's a special providence in the fall of a sparrow." Grammer said he wasn't ready until later in life to reflect on his own journey alongside Karen's. "To remember her into the world I live in, to introduce the world to my sister, Karen, who's just the most wonderful girl," he shared.

Reactions from fans soon followed, flooding the internet with messages ranging from heartfelt to critical.

One person wrote, "I always thought Frasier was boring. But after seeing this I see him differently. Despite the humor he was surviving with this horrible tragedy and delivering the best he can through humor to get away from thinking of this. But I know he never stopped thinking of this and he wrote the book and he's feeling more positive and keeping her legacy. I pray God blesses him. [sic]"

Another added on YouTube, "Frasier got me through a lot. I go back and watch it from time to time. It holds so many memories for me. I never knew the extent of Kelsey's battles through this horrific event until now."

A viewer on X echoed the sentiment, "I didn't know Kelsey produced medium. I loved that show & ghost whisperer. I think humanity, is starving for something uplifting, that's outside our understanding. Angel shows, NDE'S, etc. There used to be more shows like it. Mysterious ways & others. We all NEED more peace. [sic]✌️"

Other fans responded more simply but powerfully, posting "💔" or writing, "MAY SHE RIP...MAY THE LORD BE WITH US FROM THIS ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ [sic]."

However, not everyone viewed the story in a positive light. One person criticized Grammer's motives, "Forgive me but he is all about making money. (Loved his character in original show but also ensemble) [sic]."

Another post read, "And if his poor sister had lived & became pregnant from that rape…Mr. Grammar [sic] would have forced her to keep the pregnancy!"

A third viewer shared a harsher perspective, "NOTHING is more boring than a celebrity on TV to airing family issues - AS IF they are the ONLY ones in the Universe who experience such stuff! Life happens to EVERYONE. What about the many thousands of blacks who's loved ones are MURDERED daily by white racist police officers? [sic]"

Grammer's painful memories trace back to July 1975, when detectives arrived at his family's home in Pompano Beach, Florida. They believed a Jane Doe, found in Colorado Springs, was his 18-year-old sister.

Grammer flew out the next day to confirm it was Karen. She had been fatally attacked on July 1 by a man involved in a killing spree. Karen had been just weeks away from her 19th birthday.

In his book, Grammer reflects on the pain that stayed with him. "I'm sorry, Karen, that it has been so hard for me," he wrote. "This last image of you was impossible to shake for years and years [...] And today, even to this very day, it has the power to make me shake with grief. But—it will not be as I remember you… I promise!"

Now, as the 50th anniversary of Karen's death approaches, the veteran actor has chosen to publicly honor her memory through his own words, introducing her to the world not just as a victim, but as a young woman worth remembering.