Massachusetts firefighter with Grim Reaper tattoo is charged with murdering girlfriend by stabbing her 40 times in face, neck and torso before trying to hang himself in drunken frenzy
- Jason Chapdelaine, 52, of Springfield has been charged with first-degree murder for allegedly stabbing Eileen Monaghan, 48, to death 40 times
- The suspect pleaded not guilty today in Holyoke District Court
A Massachusetts firefighter with a Grim Reaper tattoo has been accused of fatally stabbing and killing his girlfriend before attempting suicide.
Jason Chapdelaine, 52, of Springfield has been charged with first-degree murder for allegedly stabbing 48-year-old Eileen Monaghan a total of 40 times. He has pleaded not guilty and is being held in custody without bail.
Holyoke Police Department officers found the suspect covered in blood and Monaghan lying motionless beneath him after responding to a 911 call from a security guard.
According to Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni, “the woman appeared to be suffering from stab wounds and the man was unresponsive due to self-harm.”
An autopsy report determined that Monaghan’s death was a homicide, caused by “sharp instrument wounds and blunt force trauma, including approximately 40 wounds to her head, torso and arms.”
Jason Chapdelaine, 52, of Springfield, has been charged with first-degree murder for allegedly killing 48-year-old Eileen Monaghan of Chicopee (photo)
Chapdelaine, who has a Grim Reaper tattoo, was found by officers with a belt around his neck and a grab bar on the driver’s side of his Toyota Tacoma
Chapdelaine, who has a Grim Reaper tattoo, was found at the scene with bloodshot eyes and smelled of alcohol, according to officials.
The arrest report states that officers found Chapdelaine with a belt around his neck and a grab handle on the driver’s side of his Toyota Tacoma and determined that the suspect had attempted to hang himself.
Police further described Monaghan’s condition in the report, saying: ‘She was covered in an excessive amount of blood and appeared to have a laceration to the right side of her mouth.
‘[She had] multiple wounds consistent with injuries caused by a sharp-edged instrument.”
Officers provided assistance at the scene, but the mother-of-two succumbed to her injuries.
The report further states that the Chapdelaine allegedly told the 911 caller, “I didn’t really mean to do it” before emergency responders arrived on the scene.
During interrogation, the accused firefighter reportedly said, “I don’t really feel like I… I have to… I killed a woman.”
During interrogation, the accused firefighter reportedly said, “I don’t really feel like I… I have to… I killed a woman.”
An autopsy report found that Monaghan’s death was a homicide, caused by “sharp instrument wounds and blunt force trauma, including approximately 40 wounds to her head, torso and arms”
The victim was the daughter of retired HCSO maintenance supervisor Michael Monaghan Sr., according to the Hampden County Sheriff’s Office. and Bridie Monaghan.
Monaghan served as an assistant to Hampden County Sheriff Nick Cocch and was previously the chief of staff to State Rep. Joseph Wagner, the Asst. Majority Leader.
On a Facebook afterdescribed Sheriff Cocchi Monaghan as a generous person and “a rose in a world of thorns.”
“This loss is deeply felt by the entire Hampden County Sheriff’s Office, Eileen’s family, friends and community.
“Eileen was not only a beloved and valued colleague, but also a dedicated and generous person who meant so much to so many, especially her children.
‘Eileen was truly a rose in a world of thorns. As we try to cope with this tragic loss, please keep the Monaghan family in your thoughts and prayers. To say Eileen was loved and will be missed is an understatement,” the post read.
The suspect pleaded not guilty today in Holyoke District Court and is being held without bail at the Franklin County House of Correction.
Chapdelaine will return to court on May 13 and has been placed on unpaid leave.