A Shocking Murder in Wallkill

On March 14, 2003, the body of 20-year-old Megan McDonald was found on the side of a dirt road in Wallkill, New York. Earlier that evening, a young woman working at the American Cafe in the Galleria Mall had been brutally murdered by hitting her head with a blunt object. Despite many clues, his killer would remain uncharged for almost two decades.

Investigation Benches

After Megan was reported missing on March 14, 2003, a search quickly led to the discovery of her body. Investigators soon identified her boyfriend, Edward Holley, who had been in and out of her life in the weeks leading up to her death. But the case stalled with no charges filed as Holley became the focus of suspicion. The case went cold even after Holley’s 2007 car accident left him paralyzed and his lawyer made outlandish suggestions about the details of the crime.

New District Attorney, Same Disappointments

In 2013, David Hoovler was elected Orange County District Attorney, bringing new hope for progress. But suspicions were raised as it was revealed that Hoovler had once represented a person of interest in the case while in private practice. Questions about the potential conflict of interest surfaced, and in 2023, the 20th anniversary of Megan’s death, Holley was finally arrested and charged with second-degree murder.

The Struggle for Justice Continues

The long-awaited arrest came with a twist: Hoovler recused himself from the case, citing a conflict of interest. By January 2024, special prosecutors had moved forward with the case, charging Holley for his role in Megan’s murder. With an impending trial, Megan’s family continues to seek justice for their daughter and answers for the community that has been waiting for so long.