He allegedly admitted to beating her with intent to kill, according to authorities, and is being charged with murder, assault and battery on a police officer
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NEED TO KNOW
- A UMass Amherst chef has been charged with murder in connection with the death of his wife at the Hotel UMass
- Authorities allege he admitted to beating her with intent to kill; he pleaded not guilty and is being held without bail
- The case remains under investigation, and he has reportedly been ordered to undergo a competency evaluation
An award-winning chef at the University of Massachusetts Amherst has been charged in connection with the death of his wife at a campus hotel, authorities said.
Jeffrey MacDonald, 36, of Wilbraham, Mass., was arraigned on Thursday, April 23, in Eastern Hampshire District Court on one count of murder and one count of assault and battery on a police officer, according to the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office. He pleaded not guilty, and Judge Rebecca Michaels ordered him held without bail. His next court date is scheduled for May 12.
MacDonald has been ordered to undergo a competency evaluation to determine whether he is fit to stand trial, Law&Crime reports.
Officials say the incident took place Wednesday evening inside the Hotel UMass, located in the university’s Campus Center. MacDonald and his wife were both employees of UMass Amherst.
According to a police report cited by CBS Boston, officers responded to the hotel at about 7:42 p.m. for a reported emergency. When they arrived, MacDonald allegedly threw objects toward officers, striking one UMass police officer in the face.
Inside the hotel room, police said they found a woman dead with injuries consistent with “a violent assault.” Investigators allege that MacDonald told them he had “intentionally beaten” her with his hands, feet and other blunt objects, “and that it was his intent to kill her in doing so,” according to the report.
The case remains under active investigation by the UMass Amherst Police Department, the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office and the Massachusetts Crime Scene Services Section. Officials said the official cause of death will be determined by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
In a message sent to the campus community on April 23, UMass Amherst Chancellor Javier Reyes described the incident as “heartbreaking and deeply unsettling.”
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“Our thoughts are with those affected, including the families, friends, and colleagues of the individuals involved,” Reyes wrote, adding that while details remain limited, “there is no ongoing threat to our campus or the community.”
He also noted that the lack of complete information may add to the distress for many, but said it was necessary “to protect the integrity of the ongoing investigation.” The university has made counseling resources available to students, staff and faculty.
MacDonald had previously received national recognition for his work. In August 2025, he was named "Chef of the Year" by the American Culinary Federation, an honor he described at the time as “an incredible milestone,” adding, “I’m grateful for the support of my colleagues at UMass Dining and the inspiring culinary community that I’m fortunate to be part of.”
PEOPLE has reached out to UMass Amherst Police Department and the Massachusetts State Police for additional comment.
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