Former Wisconsin 'Green Gardener' Fatally Attacked During Horseback Ride on Antigua Beach; Suspect in Custody

Karen Johannsen, 66, a well-known former Madison greenhouse owner and local television gardening personality, was fatally injured after an apparent assault while on a guided horseback ride along Dickenson Bay in Antigua on Dec. 19, 2025, authorities say. Police have confirmed a male suspect is in custody but have not released his identity.

What Happened

According to a statement from the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda, officers responded at about 11 a.m. on Dec. 19 to a report of a 'wounding' on Dickenson Bay, on the island's northwest coast. Police said Johannsen was allegedly struck on the back of the head with a blunt object by an unidentified man during the horseback riding tour.

Johannsen was transported to Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre, where she received emergency treatment for severe head trauma. She was later airlifted to the United States for further care and was pronounced dead on Dec. 26 at 10:17 p.m. local time by a physician at the University of Wisconsin Hospital in Madison.

Investigation

The Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda has indicated there is a suspect in custody but has not released his name or further details. Local and international authorities are continuing their investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Criminal Investigations Department at 268-462-3913 or the anonymous Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-TIPS (8477).

Background and Community Reaction

Johannsen split her time between Antigua and the Madison, Wisconsin, area. She and her family operated Johannsen's Greenhouse in the Madison region until it closed in 2013. For years she appeared on the local station News 3 Now as the 'Green Gardener,' offering gardening tips and community-focused segments that made her a familiar face in the area.

'My dad never really had the vision,' Johannsen told News 3 Now in 2013, reflecting on the family business. 'You know, it was a cute little business and he loved it, but he never realized what was going to happen. What my mom, my brother and sister and I did, we literally had 20 pounds of stuff in a 5-pound bag and we made it work.'

Friends, family and longtime customers in Madison and Antigua have expressed shock and sorrow. Officials have said they will provide more information as the investigation progresses.

Contact information for tips: Criminal Investigations Department — 268-462-3913; Crime Stoppers (anonymous) — 1-800-TIPS (8477).