UMass Amherst chef accused of fatally beating wife at campus hotel
The Boston Globe • • general
Key Points:
- Jeffrey C. MacDonald, a 36-year-old award-winning chef at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, is charged with the murder of his wife, Emma MacDonald, 31, who was found dead in a campus hotel room.
- MacDonald admitted to intentionally beating his wife to death using his hands, feet, and other objects, but pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and assault and battery on a police officer.
- Police responded to a 911 call on Wednesday evening, where a violent struggle occurred between MacDonald and officers; Emma MacDonald was discovered dead with significant injuries indicative of a violent assault.
- Allegations of MacDonald’s past physical and verbal abuse surfaced during custody proceedings involving his two children with another woman, though a judge dismissed the complaint after the woman failed to appear at a hearing.
- The university expressed condolences and confirmed the victim was a staff member, assuring the campus community there is no ongoing threat, while MacDonald awaits a competency evaluation and a probable cause hearing scheduled for May 12.
