Megan McDonald: Ex of Detective’s Slain Daughter Charged with Murder Decades After Her Death

On Monday, a murder indictment was filed against the former boyfriend of an NYPD detective’s deceased daughter, over 20 years after her death.

Times Union reports that Edward Holley, 43, was charged last year in connection with the 2003 killing of Megan McDonald. He’s been free while awaiting a grand jury presentation by a special prosecutor in the case, which was handed over Monday with an indictment.

McDonald’s body was discovered on  March 15, 2003, along a rural road in Wallkill. Despite the case remaining unsolved for decades, law enforcement persisted in ongoing investigations until an arrest was made.

Holley was a person of interest from early on in the investigation and underwent police questioning after McDonald’s disappearance, but investigators lacked sufficient evidence to connect him to the murder until 2023.

Previous Video Coverage 

“The family has been waiting for justice for 20 years and is grateful to the hardworking New York State Police and the special prosecutors appointed to present the evidence,” McDonald family attorney, John Beatty, said Monday on behalf of the family.

“They are extremely grateful to the grand jury for their hard work and dedication to hearing the evidence in this case.”

Holley faces anywhere from 25 years to life in prison if convicted. of up to 25 years to life if convicted.

“The indictment of Edward Holley is a significant step towards justice for Megan and her family,” Beatty said in the statement. “The family is hopeful that the judicial process will continue to progress fairly and impartially and that Edward Holley will be held justly accountable for his actions.”

Lohud reports that McDonald’s father, Dennis, was an NYPD detective who investigated the World Trade Center bombing in 1993. He passed away a year before his daughter.

The story is developing. Check back for updates.

[Feature Photo: Megan McDonald/Family Handout]