Sarah Ferguson paid tribute to Miss Chapman, 46, whom she described as “loyal, hardworking, beautiful and fun.” The Duchess of York has said she is “shocked and saddened” after her former personal assistant was found dead in a Dallas apartment on Monday afternoon.
Officials have concluded that her death was a homicide.
A 48year old man, called James Patrick has been arrested in Austin, Texas, in connection with her death. Mr. James was taken into custody on Tuesday and is currently been held in Travis County. The police say he is expected to be charged with murder.
The Duchess of York, paying her tribute on an Instagram post says;
“I am shocked and saddened to learn that Janean Chapman, who worked with me as my personal assistant many years ago, has been murdered in Dallas aged just 46. A suspect is in custody.” She regarded Jenean as loyal, hardworking, beautiful and fun.
“I heard from her just a couple of months ago and she seemed so happy.” My heart breaks for her, she wrote.
Janean’s relatives, in an interview disclosed that she had been in a turbulent relationship with Patrick for years and had got married to him for few months.
Her sister, Nicole Marshall said: ” we were shocked because before that it was an on-and-off relationship. It was rocky, we were aware of that.”
According to Miss Chapman LinkedIn page, she had worked for the Duchess for four years, 2001-2005, where she compiled briefings, handled travel needs, and organized publicity tours and book signings. The duchess said she would make a donation to the family who are fundraising for the legal and funeral costs, and transport of her body back to New York City.
The motive behind Miss Janean’s murder is unclear and James Patrick is still jailed on a $100,000 bond.
