'Infatuated' Ex Indicted 21 Years After Death of NYPD Detective's Daughter

Mar. 15, 2025

Megan McDonald.Photo:New York State Police

New York State Police

Edward Holley was arrested in April 2023 in the killing of 20-year-old Megan McDonald in Wallkill, N.Y.,WABC,The Journal NewsandABC Newsreported at the time.

McDonald died a year after the passing of her father, an NYPD detective,The Journal Newsreported.

In March 2023, police were able to identify Holley’s presence in McDonald’s car in 2003 through DNA evidence, the criminal complaint stated, according to ABC News.

Holley’s alleged attack was both a case of intimate-partner violence as well as an issue related to money he owed her, authorities said, according to ABC News andWABC.

“We believe this crime was intimate partner violence, additionally Ed Holley owed Megan a substantial sum of money,” New York State Police Capt. Joseph Kole said following the arrest, per the outlets.

ABC News reported, citing authorities, that Holley seemed to be “infatuated” with McDonald, who reportedly tried to end their relationship as things had turned sour between the two because of the money he allegedly owed her.

Edward Holley.Patrick Oehler/Times Herald-Record/USA TODAY NETWORK

Patrick Oehler/Times Herald-Record/USA TODAY NETWORK

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On Monday, McDonald’s family said they were “gratified and relieved” at the news of the indictment.

“The indictment of Edward Holley is a significant step towards justice for Megan and her family,” they said in a statement on theJustice for Megan websitethat has been documenting the coverage of her case over the years and has an account of the last few hours before her death.

The indictment on Monday comes after State Police brought a second-degree murder charge against Holley in 2023 which the District Attorney did not pursue, claiming there wasn’t enough time to gather evidence for an indictment,The Times UnionandThe Journal Newsreported.

Cornachio was appointed Special District Attorney to prosecute this case after Orange County DA David Hoovler asked to be recused from the case, she tells PEOPLE.

Hehas said the grand jury process is “unfair” to the defendant as it presents “only one side of the story” that is told “behind closed doors,” where defense attorneys aren’t allowed,The Journal Newsreported.

source: people.com