Jeffrey R. MacDonald

Jeffrey R. MacDonald
MacDonald in 1970
Born (1943-10-12) October 12, 1943 (age 80)
Jamaica, Queens, New York, U.S.
OccupationFormer physician
Spouses
  • Colette Stevenson
    (m. 1963; murdered 1970)
  • Kathryn Kurichh
    (m. 2002)
Children
  • Kimberley (b. 1964; murdered 1970);
  • Kristen (b. 1967; murdered 1970)
Parent(s)Robert MacDonald
Dorothy Perry
MotiveUnknown. Possible rage compounded to mimic a Manson-inspired massacre.[1]
Conviction(s)First degree murder (18 U.S.C. § 1111) (1 count)
Second degree murder (18 U.S.C. § 1111) (2 counts)
Criminal penaltyLife imprisonment
Details
VictimsColette Kathryn Stevenson MacDonald (26)
Kimberley Kathryn MacDonald (5)
Kristen Jean MacDonald (2)
Unborn child
DateFebruary 17, 1970
Location(s)Fort Bragg, North Carolina, U.S.
Imprisoned atFCI Cumberland, Maryland, U.S.

Jeffrey Robert MacDonald (born October 12, 1943) is an American former medical doctor and United States Army captain who was convicted in August 1979 of murdering his pregnant wife and two daughters in February 1970 while serving as an Army Special Forces physician.

MacDonald has always proclaimed his innocence of the murders, which he claims were committed by four intruders—three male and one female—who had entered the unlocked rear door of his apartment at Fort Bragg, North Carolina,[2] and attacked him, his wife, and his children with instruments such as knives, clubs and ice picks. Prosecutors and appellate courts have pointed to strong physical evidence attesting to his guilt. He is currently incarcerated at the Federal Correctional Institution in Cumberland, Maryland.

The MacDonald murder case remains one of the most litigated murder cases in American criminal history.[3]

  1. ^ The Murder Almanac ISBN 978-1-897-78404-4 p. 112
  2. ^ "Hone of Triple Murder to Be Demolished". WRAL.com. March 14, 2008. Retrieved June 2, 2021.
  3. ^ "CNN Larry King Live". CNN. December 14, 2005. Retrieved September 29, 2020.