Award-winning university chef allegedly beat his wife to death at campus hotel: officials

A cook astatine the University of Massachusetts Amherst allegedly killed his woman successful a country astatine a edifice connected campus, according to police.

Jeffrey C. MacDonald, 36, was charged with murdering his wife, 31-year-old Emma MacDonald, portion they were successful a country astatine Hotel UMass connected Wednesday, the Boston Globe reported, citing a constabulary study filed with the Eastern Hampshire District Court.

After constabulary arrived to the edifice pursuing a 911 call, MacDonald was work his Miranda rights and admitted that helium "had intentionally beaten his woman to death, utilizing his hands, feet, arsenic good arsenic a assortment of different objects, and that it was his intent to termination her successful doing so," officers wrote successful the constabulary report.

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Jeffrey MacDonald is accused of sidesplitting his wife, Emma. (UMass)

Emma MacDonald's injuries were considered "significant" and "it seemed evident to investigators that her injuries had resulted from a convulsive assault," officials said.

MacDonald pleaded not blameworthy to first-degree execution arsenic good arsenic battle and artillery during a tribunal quality connected Thursday.

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The 911 telephone was received astatine 7:42 p.m. connected Wednesday, which alerted field constabulary to the incidental which took spot astatine country 414 astatine Hotel UMass.

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UMass Amherst students locomotion crossed campus. (Jonathan Wiggs/The Boston Globe/Getty Images)

Campus constabulary arsenic good arsenic adjacent Hadley constabulary responded to the room, wherever a "violent conflict took place" betwixt MacDonald and the officers, with the antheral accused of throwing objects astatine the officers, according to the constabulary report, which added that the execution fishy repeatedly struck an serviceman successful the face.

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Less than 9 months ago, MacDonald was named Chef of the Year by the American Culinary Federation.

"This distinguished grant is simply a testament to MacDonald’s talent, leadership, and committedness to advancing the culinary profession," the assemblage wrote successful announcing the grant connected Aug. 8, 2025.

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Police said the alleged execution took spot astatine the Campus Center Hotel. (Jonathan Wiggs/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

UMass Chancellor Javier Reyes released a connection connected the alleged execution connected Thursday.

"I privation to admit that this is heartbreaking and profoundly unsettling quality for our campus. Our thoughts are with those affected, including the families, friends, and colleagues of the individuals involved. I besides admit that the deficiency of implicit accusation whitethorn adhd to the distress galore are feeling, but this is indispensable to support the integrity of the ongoing investigation," Reyes said.

Fox News Digital reached retired to MacDonald's attorney.