HOLYOKE, MA – A Massachusetts man has received a murder charge in connection to his girlfriend’s untimely death. Springfield resident Jason Chapdelaine, 52, was arrested after police found him alongside the victim following a report of suspicious activity in the South Water Street area around 1:30 am on Sunday.
Hampden County District Attorney’s Office stated that upon arrival, officers found Chapdelaine unresponsive due to what is suspected to be a self-inflicted injury. The female victim was later identified as Eileen Monaghan, who tragically died from her stab wounds.
Chapdelaine was taken into custody and later presented in Holyoke District Court on Tuesday facing murder charges.
Monaghan was a devoted mother to two daughters and served as the Executive Assistant to Hampden County Sheriff Nick Cocchi. Following the news of her death, Sheriff Cocchi expressed deep sorrow, stating that Monaghan’s loss deeply affected everyone in the Sheriff’s Office, as well as her many friends and family members.
Monaghan is remembered by many for being generous, dedicated, and loved by many. She leaves behind a large family across Western Massachusetts and Ireland, where her parents originally hailed from.
Massachusetts routinely offers resources for domestic and dating violence victims. SafeLink serves as the state’s round-the-clock, toll-free domestic violence hotline.