A suspect is being held without bail following what the University of Massachusetts Amherst is calling a "homicide of a UMass Amherst staffer" Wednesday night.
Jeffrey MacDonald appeared in Eastern Hampshire District Court in Belchertown Thursday morning.
According to the Northwestern District Attorney's Office, MacDonald was apprehended sometime Wednesday night in connection with a murder that happened within Hotel UMass -- University of Massachusetts Amherst's on-campus hotel.
The victim has been described only as a woman who allegedly knew MacDonald. Neither was a UMass Amherst student.
In a statement released Thursday morning, the college's Chancellor Javier Reyes called the news "heartbreaking and deeply unsettling" and expressed condolences to those who knew those involved.
"I also recognize that the lack of complete information may add to the distress many are feeling, but this is necessary to protect the integrity of the ongoing investigation," he said in the letter to the campus community.
Reyes also noted there was no ongoing threat to the campus, and counseling services are being made available to all students, faculty and staff.
"I encourage you to reach out for support and provide care and space for one another," he said.
The university directed WAMC to the DA for further comment, but both the prosecutor and MacDonald's attorney declined to comment.
