Police: Affair leads to murder-suicide when wife ambushes husband's lover

KOCO Updated: 9:50 AM CDT Apr 25, 2018

Associated Press

By Chelsea Robinson

WAYNE, Pa. —

A woman broke into the Philadelphia-area home of another woman -- who she believed was romantically involved with her husband -- and killed her before killing herself, authorities said.

Radnor Township police said the slaying of Meredith Chapman, 33, on Monday night was carefully planned by Jennair Gerardot, 47, of Wilmington, Delaware.

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“You had a man who was married, who was having an affair with this other woman. The wife knew about it, and this was a calculated, planned attack,” Police Superintendent William Colarulo said.

According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, Gerardot had carefully plotted her revenge.

“There were emails and text messages indicating what she planned to do, and the detectives are still sorting that out,” Colarulo said.

Officials believe Gerardot may have disguised herself and taken a train from Delaware, since a wig and other clothing not belonging to Chapman were found in a bag inside the house.

Chapman was not yet home from work when Gerardot arrived at her door. The disguised woman broke through the front door and cleaned up the glass that shattered on the floor. Police say she did this so Chapman would not suspect something was wrong.

When Chapman walked into her home, Gerardot opened fire.

Police arrived within minutes and were met by Jennair Gerardot's husband, Mark Gerardo, who told them "my wife might be inside."

Chapman, a 2007 graduate of the University of Delaware, worked for the school in media relations and marketing and ran unsuccessfully for a state Senate seat in Delaware in 2016. She recently was hired as an assistant vice president at Villanova University.

Delaware Online reported that less than two hours before she was killed, Chapman said on her Instagram account that she “couldn’t be more excited” about her new position.

“Just a week on the job and I’m already feeling the love from #NovaNation! #GoingNova #HigherEdMarketing#NewAdventures.” she posted at 5:42 p.m.

Villanova University spokesman Jonathan Gust said the school was informed Monday night about her death.

“Our hearts are broken by the devastating loss of our new colleague,” he said. “The thoughts and prayers of the entire university community are with her family, friends and colleagues during this extremely difficult time.”

“Meredith was a beacon of light to anyone who was fortunate enough to meet her,” a spokesperson for the Chapman family said in a statement to the News Journal. “She loved her family fiercely, was a compassionate friend and among the most talented and innovative professionals in her field. Her death was sudden and tragic, but will not define who she was to the thousands of people who loved her. Her family is devastated, heartbroken and requests privacy and respect as they grieve.”

The News Journal reports the Gerardots had been married since 1993.

The Washington Post reports Mark Gerardo often posted photos of his wife on his Instagram.

"My birthday present 24/7. I’m a lucky guy,” he captioned a photo of his wife in October 2015.

He also mentioned her on his website: “On the personal side, my wife and golden retriever are the center of my universe and the reason I get up every morning.”

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3959877&forum_id=2#35919677)