Advertisement

Wife ambushes husband’s lover at her home and shoots her dead before killing herself

<em>Jennair Gerardot (left) killed herself after killing her husband’s lover Meredith Chapman (right) (Instagram/Facebook)</em>
Jennair Gerardot (left) killed herself after killing her husband’s lover Meredith Chapman (right) (Instagram/Facebook)

The wife of a man who was having an affair with an ex-political candidate killed her husband’s lover before turning the gun on herself, police have said.

Jennair Gerardot reportedly broke into the Philadelphia house of Meredith Chapman, 33, and ambushed her when she returned home on Monday night.

Police Lt Christopher Flanagan said that detectives suspect Mrs Gerardot broke in through Mrs Chapman’s front door then cleaned up the glass so her victim would not suspect an intruder.

The gunwoman was also possibly wearing a wig as a disguise, according to investigators.

Mrs Gerardot, 48, sent her husband Mark texts revealing her plan but both woman were dead by the time police arrived.

<em>Mrs Gerardot sent texts of her plan to her husband Mark (left) (Instagram/Gerardot1)</em>
Mrs Gerardot sent texts of her plan to her husband Mark (left) (Instagram/Gerardot1)

Officers found Mr Gerardot outside the property, where he told them: ‘My wife might be inside.’

Detectives say he had planned to meet his lover for dinner that evening, but became concerned when she did not arrive.

Mrs Gerardot’s body was found near to the kitchen, close to where Mrs Chapman was found.

MOST POPULAR TODAY ON YAHOO

Superintendent Colarulo said: ‘You had a man who was married who was having an affair with this other woman.

‘The wife knew about it, and this was a calculated, planned attack.’

Mrs Chapman was also married to former city council member Luke Chapman but the pair were not living together at the time of the incident.

<em>Mrs Chapman was married to Luke Chapman but the pair were not living together at the time of the shooting (Facebook)</em>
Mrs Chapman was married to Luke Chapman but the pair were not living together at the time of the shooting (Facebook)

She unsuccessfully ran as a Republican for the state senate in Delaware in 2016 and was previously a senior marketing director at the University of Delaware, where she had been Mr Gerardot’s supervisor.

The Chapman family said in a statement: ‘Meredith was a beacon of light to anyone who was fortunate enough to meet her.

‘She loved her family fiercely, was a compassionate friend and among the most talented and innovative professionals in her field.

‘Her death was sudden and tragic, but will not define who she was to the thousands of people who loved her.’

For confidential emotional support, contact The Samaritans at any time of the day by ringing 116 123 or emailing jo@samaritans.org.