Sign up for the Today newsletter
Get everything you need to know to start your day, delivered right to your inbox every morning.
Boston man charged with killing mother of his children in South End apartment
Shantel Gillespie was found dead in a South End apartment building in December. She was on the verge of earning her nursing degree.
A Boston man was arrested and charged with the killing of Shantel Gillespie, the mother of his three children, in a South End apartment building last month.
Eric McPhail was set to be arraigned in Boston Municipal Court Wednesday afternoon, according to Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden’s office.
Gillespie was found dead on Dec. 12, only two days after completing her nursing degree, her family wrote in a GoFundMe fundraiser that has raised more than $53,000. She left behind three children all under the age of 6.
She was found inside an apartment at 390 Harrison Ave., police said at the time. Officials quickly began investigating her death as a homicide and told the public that the attack was not random.
Advertisement:
“This was a lengthy and thorough investigation and I’m grateful for the work of all involved to bring this suspect forward to answer for Shantel Gillespie’s tragic death,” Hayden said in a statement.
Gillespie “was a beautiful soul and was loved by all,” her sister wrote on the GoFundMe page. A native of Mandeville, Jamaica, Gillespie immigrated to the U.S. in 2014. She worked as a Clinical Assistant at Boston Children’s Hospital for five years, and was studying nursing at Labouré College of Healthcare.
Gillespie’s sister said that she was a victim of domestic violence. Officials have not released more information about McPhail or his relationship to Gillespie.
Advertisement:
“My sister had 1 goal in life: to make a better life for herself so her children would grow up wanting of nothing. From long work hours, to classes and clinical, to coming home to nurture 3 children. Over all the years she worked tirelessly to have a successful future while battling to break the cycle of domestic violence,” Gillespie’s sister wrote.
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com