Chelmsford man faces murder charge in death of estranged wife

By John R. Ellement, Globe Staff

A 36-year-old Chelmsford man is facing a first-degree murder charge in the slaying of his estranged wife, Middlesex County prosecutors said today.

Jeffrey McGee allegedly killed Christine Ayotte McGee, 31, sometime before 10:30 a.m. Tuesday in his apartment on Glen Street, District Attorney Gerard Leone said at a news conference this afternoon.

The case began to unfold Tuesday morning when Jeffrey McGee drove his red Toyota Corolla head-on into a dump truck on Route 110 in Methuen near the Dracut line. McGee and the couple's 3-year-old son were injured in the crash

Methuen police asked Chelmsford police to conduct a welfare check at McGee's apartment. Christine McGee's body was found there at about 2:30 p.m., prosecutors said.

Jeffrey McGee allegedly killed his estranged wife with a single puncture to her jugular vein that caused her to bleed to death, Leone said. The couple's son was in the apartment during the slaying.

Leone wouldn't say why McGee's car later crashed in Methuen.

McGee is being treated at the Holy Family Hospital in Methuen. He'll be arraigned Friday on a charge of first-degree murder in either Lowell District Court or his hospital bed, depending on his condition.

The child was taken to Children's Hospital in Boston with injuries from the accident. Authorities said Tuesday his condition was good. Today, Leone described his condition as "improving."

• Comment
• Permalink
• Email