What began as a dream vacation ended in unspeakable tragedy for a beloved Wisconsin gardening guru — violently attacked and left for dead on a Caribbean beach just days before Christmas.
Karen Johannsen, 66, a familiar face to TV viewers across Wisconsin for her bright smile and plant expertise, was savagely bludgeoned while riding horseback along a serene Antigua shoreline on December 19. According to local authorities, an unidentified man struck Johannsen in the head without warning during what should have been a peaceful tour.
She never recovered.
Johannsen was rushed to a local hospital with traumatic brain injuries, then airlifted to the U.S. for critical care. After a week-long fight for her life, she was declared dead on December 26 at 10:17 p.m.
A suspect is now in custody — but authorities are keeping his name, motive, and details of the brutal assault under wraps, saying only that he’s “assisting” investigators.
Locals and fans are reeling from the news, shocked that the cheerful former garden center owner — who once taught thousands how to grow vegetables and flowers — met such a violent and senseless end in what she once called her “paradise.”
Back in October, Johannsen had posted a photo to Facebook of herself lounging on the very island that became the site of her murder. She captioned it: “Toughing out another beautiful day in Paradise… Thanks Mom.”
Now that paradise has turned into a crime scene.
Karen was known across Madison for her longtime appearances on News 3 Now’s “Green Gardener” segment and her decades helping run Johannsen’s Greenhouse, the family nursery founded in the 1950s. Her down-to-earth advice and warm personality made her a favorite with viewers and customers alike.
“She was sunshine in human form,” said one longtime customer. “To know she died like this… it’s just gut-wrenching.”
Authorities are urging anyone with information about the case to contact the Criminal Investigations Department at 268-462-3913 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIPS (8477).
A life spent planting beauty ended in bloodshed — and justice can’t come soon enough.
Such a senseless tragedy. She is literally miles away from home where you would think no one knew/knows who she is or where she is from, just relaxing and enjoying her time while on vacation. And yet this sounds very much like a targeted act. Why? Condolences to her family, friends, loved ones.