Sheriff Executive Assistant allegedly murdered by boyfriend in Massachusetts stabbing

A Massachusetts woman has allegedly been murdered by her boyfriend in a domestic violence incident.

According to the District Attorney’s Office, on Sunday, at 1:30 a.m., officers from the Holyoke Police Department responded to a 9-1-1 call in the 200 block of South Water Street for a report of suspicious activity.

On scene, responding officers discovered two adult individuals, a male and a female. The female victim appeared to be suffering from stab wounds and the male unresponsive due to self-inflicted harm. Officers rendered aid to both, with the female victim tragically succumbing to her injuries.

The victim has been identified as Eileen Monaghan, 48, of Chicopee.

The suspect has been identified as Jason Chapdelaine, 52, of Springfield. He was arrested by Holyoke Police on April 14, 2024, and charged with murder.

He is expected to be arraigned in Holyoke District Court on Tuesday, April 16, 2024.

The Hampden County Sheriff’s Office announced that Monaghan was the Executive Assistant to Sheriff Nick Cocchi and Chapdelaine was reportedly her boyfriend.

“This loss is felt deeply by the entire Hampden County Sheriff’s Office, Eileen’s family, friends, and the community. Eileen was not only a loved and valued colleague but also a dedicated and generous person who meant so much to so many, especially her kids,” said Sheriff Cocchi. “Eileen was truly a rose in a world of thorns. As we try to process 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.”

Eileen was the daughter of retired HCSO maintenance supervisor Michael Monaghan Sr., who passed away in 2020, and Bridie Monaghan, who passed away in 2021; and the sister of former Support Services staff member Michael Monaghan Jr., who died on April 4 following a battle with cancer. In addition to her daughters, she is survived by a large family, spread from Western Mass. to Ireland, from which Eileen’s late parents emigrated.

Prior to her tenure at the Sheriff’s Office, Eileen was the chief of staff for State Representative Joseph Wagner, the Asst. Majority Leader, who retired from representing the 8th Hampden District in 2023. Sheriff Cocchi, the entire Hampden County Sheriff’s Office, and Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni extended their deepest sympathy to the Monaghan family.

This in an ongoing investigation being conducted by members of the Holyoke Police Department, Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Hampden District Attorney’s Office, and the Hampden District Attorney’s Office’s Murder Unit.