Chicopee woman identified as victim in fatal Holyoke stabbing

48-year-old Eileen Monaghan, an executive assistant in the Hampden County Sheriff’s office and former chief of staff to a state representative, was fatally stabbed Sunday morning.

The victim in a weekend stabbing in Holyoke has been identified as a 48-year-old woman who worked for the Hampden County Sheriff’s office and as chief of staff to a former state representative, officials said.

Eileen Monaghan of Chicopee died early Sunday morning after being fatally stabbed. 52-year-old Jason Chapdelaine, of Springfield, was found unresponsive at the scene with self-inflicted injuries, the Hampden County District Attorney’s office said. He was arrested and charged with murder.

The Hampden County Sheriff’s Office, Monaghan’s former workplace, said she was a victim of domestic violence. They shared on Facebook that Chapdelaine was Monaghan’s boyfriend.

“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,” the office said in a statement.

Before working as an executive assistant to Sheriff Nick Cocchi, Monaghan was chief of staff for retired state Rep. Joseph Wagner.

Monaghan leaves behind two young adult daughters, the Sheriff’s Office said. Monaghan’s family, who hail from Ireland, already suffered a death in the family. Earlier this month, her brother, Michael Monaghan Jr. died from cancer.

Chapdelaine is expected to be arraigned in court Tuesday.