Award-winning chef charged with killing wife at UMass Amherst Campus Center Hotel

An award-winning chef at the University of Massachusetts is accused of brutally murdering his wife and assaulting a police officer at the UMass Campus Center hotel in Amherst Wednesday night. 

Jeffrey MacDonald, a 36-year-old from Wilbraham, pleaded not guilty to one charge of murder and one charge of assault and battery on a police officer at his arraignment in Eastern Hampshire District Court Thursday morning. Police say that he confessed to beating his wife Emma MacDonald to death.

UMass Amherst Chancellor Javier Reyes said Emma MacDonald was also a staff member at the college. The Medical Examiner will determine her official cause of death.

Jeffrey MacDonald charged with murder at UMass Hotel

A police report says officers responded to the hotel at 7:42 p.m. for a reported emergency. Police said Jeffrey MacDonald threw objects in the direction of officers and hit one UMass police officer in the face. 

Police said they found the woman dead in the hotel room with injuries that were consistent with "a violent assault." MacDonald told investigators that 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," the police report said.

MacDonald was held without bail and is due back in court on May 12.

Who is Jeffrey MacDonald?

Last August UMass said MacDonald, the executive sous chef for UMass Dining, was named "Chef of the Year" by the American Culinary Federation.

"This distinguished honor is a testament to MacDonald's talent, leadership, and commitment to advancing the culinary profession," the school's website said. 

UMass Amherst has consistently earned the "best campus food" ranking from the Princeton Review and has the largest college dining program in the country.

UMass said last August that MacDonald's achievements "continue to elevate the national profile of the UMass Dining program."

"Being honored as Chef of the Year by the ACF is an incredible milestone," MacDonald said. "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."  

"If that's who was involved, I'm curious to see how the reputation of our dining kind of goes forward from here," student Elsa Lewis told WBZ-TV. 

"Deeply unsettling news for our campus"

Reyes said there is no ongoing threat to the campus. 

"I want to acknowledge that this is heartbreaking and deeply unsettling news for our campus. Our thoughts are with those affected, including the families, friends, and colleagues of the individuals involved," he said in a message to the UMass Amherst community. "I also recognize that the lack of complete information may add to the distress many are feeling, but this is necessary to protect the integrity of the ongoing investigation."

Support resources are available for those on campus, Reyes said.

Some UMass Amherst students said they were shocked by the lack of information from the school.

"Honestly, I started hearing about it last night through social media with the students, whatnot, and then when I woke up to the email from the chancellor, it really provided us nothing," student Emory Smith said. 

UMass released a statement Thursday night, saying that the university works at its own pace to release information due to "privacy and community obligations."

"I also understand the tension that can arise when media release information through public records access at a different pace than the university, which has its own privacy and community obligations. When we lose a member of our community, we try to work closely with those closest to them to learn and respect their wishes regarding communication. While this approach may not always align with a 24-hour media cycle, it is one we will continue to follow," said Vice Chancellor of Equal Opportunity and Access Kerri Tillett. 

UMass students scared after murder 

Some told WBZ they feel scared to walk around campus now.

"Now someone died and you just don't really know. Especially at night, with exams coming, we have to walk by ourselves," Morgon O'Connor said.

"I've seen multiple Instagram posts saying be careful, walk with friends. I know my parents have warned me about it, to not go out at night anymore," Hannah Willis said. 

"It's pretty insane. I was happy to be off campus because I would've been pretty worried. I was glad that there was no threat to the campus community. That was definitely reassuring, but pretty crazy," Jonathan Hastings explained.   

"There's definitely a feeling that's in the air that definitely makes me feel a little nervous," Eli Shrem said. 

"Honestly, I think people are kind of freaked out a little bit. A lot of people are really confused about how something like this could happen," Kylie Charron said. 

Hotel UMass

According to AAA, the campus hotel has 113 rooms. The hotel's website explains that it is not affiliated with any hotel chains.

"We are run by the University of Massachusetts," the website states. "The UMass Hotel is a teaching hotel and the majority of our employees are UMass students in the Hospitality and Tourism Management major."  

In November, Gov. Maura Healey fired a staffer who previously served as director of Hotel UMass between 2016 and 2023. Lamar Cook was charged with drug trafficking and accused of having cocaine delivered to the hotel.

The UMass Amherst campus is about 90 miles west of Boston.