Former personal assistant to Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, Jenean Chapman, was tragically murdered in her Dallas apartment this week, allegedly by her husband, James Patrick. The news of Chapman's death spread quickly, prompting the duchess to pay tribute to her former aide on social media. Chapman's body was discovered on Monday, and the Dallas County Medical Examiner's Office determined her death to be a homicide the following day.

Authorities wasted no time in identifying James Patrick as the suspect in Chapman's murder. He was apprehended 200 miles away from the crime scene by University of Texas Police and is currently in custody at Travis County jail, awaiting murder charges. As details surrounding the motive remain unclear, it is uncertain whether Patrick has legal representation at this time.

Chapman's grief-stricken sister, Crystal Marshall, took to Instagram to honor her late sibling, recounting Chapman's numerous achievements and the lasting impact she had on those who knew her. Marshall described her sister's accomplishments as too many to count and expressed the belief that although Chapman may no longer be physically present, her light will continue to shine in their hearts and memories.

Nicole Marshall, another sister of Chapman, revealed that the couple's relationship had been tumultuous, characterized by an on-and-off nature. Despite being married for only a few months, the family was aware of the challenges they faced. The details surrounding the murder itself have not been disclosed by the police, but it was Chapman's workplace that alerted authorities after she failed to show up for work.

Chapman had worked alongside Sarah Ferguson for four years in the early 2000s before rising through the ranks to become a Senior Vice President at Critical Mass, a Canadian marketing company. Nicole Marshall spoke highly of her sister's determination and described her as a role model, stating that she always looked up to Chapman and her corporate success.

In the wake of the tragedy, the Duchess of York made an appeal to the public, urging them to help Chapman's family bring her body back to New York City and cover legal and funeral expenses. Ferguson pledged her support, expressing her intention to make a donation and assist the family in any way possible. A GoFundMe page was created by Chapman's family to raise funds for transportation costs and legal fees, with the aim of seeking justice for Jenean Chapman.