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Andreen Nicole McDonald (September 23, 1989 – February 28, 2019) was a 29-year-old businesswoman and philanthropist from Port Antonio Jamaica, who resided in San Antonio, Texas. In February 2019, she was murdered in her home by her husband, Andre McDonald, a U.S. Air Force Major.
 San Antonio, Texas, in 2019. | |
| Date | February 28, 2019 |
|---|---|
| Location | San Antonio, Texas, US |
| Arrests | Andre McDonald |
| Trial | 2019 |
| Verdict | Guilty |
| Convictions | Andre McDonald: First-degree murder, kidnapping and Manslaughter |
| Jealousy motivated attack | |
Andreen owned a successful assisted living facility and was well-known for her involvement in the community. Despite her professional success, her marriage to Andre McDonald was reportedly troubled, with increasing tension in the months leading up to her disappearance.[1]
Background
editAndreen Nicole Anderson was born in Port Antonio, Jamaica on 23 September 1989 to Jamaican parents who had emigrated to the United States. She was the second of three daughters.[2]
At the time of her murder, she was a businesswoman who ran an assisted living facility called Starlight Homes together with her husband Andre McDonald, a Major in the U.S. Air Force. By many accounts, the marriage was troubled, and the relationship between Andreen and Andre was strained in the months leading up to her disappearance.[2]
Disappearance
editAndreen McDonald was reported missing on March 1, 2019,[3] by friends and family who became concerned after she failed to show up for work and other obligations.[4] Police conducted a welfare check at her home, where they discovered disturbing signs of foul play.[5] Among the findings were cleaning supplies, blood stains, and burned items in the backyard.[6][7] Investigators quickly turned their attention to her husband, Andre McDonald, as the primary suspect.[8]
Andre was arrested shortly after Andreen's disappearance for tampering with evidence.[9] While he admitted to purchasing the cleaning supplies, he initially denied involvement in his wife's disappearance, regarding allegations, and was released on bond shortly after.[10] However, authorities believed there was strong circumstantial evidence suggesting otherwise, including his suspicious behavior, and the materials he bought seemed to indicate an attempt to cover up a crime.[11]
Search and investigation
editFor several months, investigators, family members, and volunteers searched for Andreen's body.[12][13] Authorities were eventually able to gather more evidence against Andre McDonald through surveillance footage, records, and witness testimony. Investigators believed that Andre McDonald killed his wife during an argument, disposed of her body, and tried to erase evidence of the crime.[14]
On July 11, 2019, Andreen's remains were discovered by a passerby on a private ranch in northern Bexar County, Texas.[15] The remains were identified as Andreen McDonald through dental records.[16][17] This discovery led to Andre McDonald being charged with first-degree murder.[18][deprecated source]
Trial and sentencing
editAndre McDonald went to trial in 2023 for the murder of his wife.[19] The prosecution presented a case that focused on Andre's history of domestic violence, the circumstantial evidence gathered from the crime scene, and his attempts to cover up the murder.[20] The defense argued that there was insufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Andre was responsible for his wife's death.[18][deprecated source]
Despite the defense's claims, the jury found Andre McDonald guilty of manslaughter. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison.[21] The sentence prompted a great deal of public criticism, with many feeling that justice was not adequately served for Andreen McDonald and her family.[22]
Aftermath
editCustody battle over daughter
editAndre McDonald's parents sought custody of their granddaughter, arguing that they were fit and capable of providing a stable environment. However, Andreen McDonald's mother, who lived in Jamaica, contended that her daughter would have wanted her granddaughter to be raised by her family. She argued that Andre's family, given their connection to her daughter's killer, was not a suitable environment for the child.[23]
After a drawn-out legal battle, the court ultimately sided with Andreen McDonald's mother, granting her custody of the child. The decision was heavily influenced by the court's consideration of the child's best interests and the connection she had with her maternal grandmother.[24]
Wrongful death lawsuit
editIn addition to the custody battle, Andreen McDonald's family pursued a civil lawsuit against Andre McDonald for her wrongful death. In 2023, the courts awarded Andreen's estate a staggering $210 million in damages, holding Andre McDonald responsible for the loss and suffering he caused.[25]
References
edit- ^ Jidoun, Grace (2024-09-13). "What Happened to Andreen McDonald?: Husband of Millionaire Businesswoman Claims Self-Defense After Wife's Body Found In Texas Field — Blames Infidelity While Trial Testimony Tells a Darker Story". Atlanta Black Star. Retrieved 2024-10-10.
- ^ a b Jidoun, Grace (2024-09-13). "What Happened to Andreen McDonald?: Husband of Millionaire Businesswoman Claims Self-Defense After Wife's Body Found In Texas Field — Blames Infidelity While Trial Testimony Tells a Darker Story". Atlanta Black Star. Retrieved 2024-10-10.
- ^ Seedorff, Matthew (2019-03-04). "Missing woman known for her strength, motivation at Stone Oak gym". WOAI. Retrieved 2024-10-10.
- ^ Antonio, SBG San (2019-03-11). "Search continues for missing San Antonio woman". WOAI. Retrieved 2024-10-10.
- ^ Martinez, Sarah (March 4, 2019). "Air Force Major Arrested In Connection to Wife's Disappearance, Suspected of Foul Play". San Antonio Current.
- ^ Ramirez, Quixem (2019-03-03). "Husband of missing woman purchased ax, shovel, large trash bags and gas, destroyed receipt". WOAI. Retrieved 2024-10-10.
- ^ Donaghue, Erin (2019-03-04). "Andreen McDonald missing: "Disturbing" items found in home of Air Force major after wife's disappearance, sheriff says - CBS News". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved 2024-10-10.
- ^ Contreras, Guillermo (March 3, 2019). "Air Force major, based in San Antonio, suspected in wife's death". expressnews.
- ^ Canty, Morgan (2024-08-25). "Key evidence in the disappearance and death of millionaire Andreen McDonald - CBS News". cbsnews.com. Retrieved 2024-10-10.
- ^ Beltran, Jacob (November 12, 2019). "Husband accused in 2019 disappearance, killing of local businesswoman released on bond". expressnews.
- ^ Sang, Lucia Suarez (2019-03-04). "Air Force major husband of missing Texas woman purchased ax, shovel, trash bags and gas: police". Fox News. Retrieved 2024-10-10.
- ^ "Volunteers continue search for Andreen McDonald". kens5.com. 2019-04-27. Retrieved 2024-10-10.
- ^ "Massive search on for Jamaican woman missing in the US | Loop Jamaica". Loop News. Retrieved 2024-10-10.
- ^ "Investigators say charred skeletal remains found last week are those of Andreen McDonald, missing since February". KVOA. 2019-07-15. Retrieved 2024-10-10.
- ^ "'Heartless' - News of Portland native's remains being found in US rocks community". jamaica-gleaner.com. 2019-07-19. Retrieved 2024-10-10.
- ^ Beltran, Jacob (July 5, 2019). "Andreen McDonald mourned by family, friends at site where her remains were found". expressnews.
- ^ "Remains of missing J'can woman found in US; husband booked for murder | Loop Trinidad & Tobago". Loop News. Retrieved 2024-10-10.
- ^ a b Patteson, Callie (2023-12-09). "Chilling details emerge after missing millionaire's huge argument with husband". The US Sun. Retrieved 2024-10-10.
- ^ Zavala, Elizabeth. "Trial date set for Air Force Maj. Andre McDonald, accused of killing wife in 2019".
- ^ Salinas, Erica Hernandez; Ibañez, David (2023-05-31). "Andre McDonald appealing verdicts, sentences in death of his wife". KSAT. Retrieved 2024-10-10.
- ^ "Husband of Andreen McDonald sentenced to 20 years in prison". spectrumlocalnews.com. Retrieved 2024-10-10.
- ^ Sant, Peter Van; Hegwood, Marie; White, Lauren A. (2024-08-25). "Air Force major convicted of manslaughter blames wife for fight that led to her death - CBS News". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved 2024-10-10.
- ^ "Grandparents fight for custody of missing San Antonio woman's daughter".
- ^ Eaton, Emilie. "'A tragic case': Grandparents clash in fight over Andreen McDonald's daughter". expressnews.
- ^ Hernandez, Erica; Moreno, Julie (2024-03-08). "Family of Andreen McDonald awarded $210 million in wrongful death lawsuit against Andre McDonald". KSAT. Retrieved 2024-10-10.