The stolen life of Meredith Chapman in a Radnor, Pennsylvania, murder-suicide
Only two days before a murder-suicide sparked by an affair shocked a Main Line town, a neighbor spotted a woman spying on the victim but decided not to call police.
Radnor Township Police Superintendent William Colarulo said he received an email from a neighbor of Meredith Sullivan Chapman the day after Chapman's death.
The neighbor told Colarulo she had seen a woman with a "grim, concerned or worried" expression on her face standing near her driveway in Radnor Township back on April 21, 2018. The woman was using a pair of binoculars while staring at Chapman's home on Lowrys Lane. The neighbor said the woman then went into a black SUV and drove off.
The neighbor told Colarulo she decided not to report the incident.
Two days later, Chapman, 33, was found shot to death inside her home. The body of Jennair Gerardot was found next to her. Investigators said Gerardot drove to the home and shot and killed Chapman before taking her own life.
Latex gloves, ear plugs and binoculars were found by officers inside Gerardot's black Cadillac XTS, police said. The vehicle was a rental, investigators determined.
During an interview with WDEL News Tuesday, Colarulo said prompt notification about the suspicious activity could have made a difference.
"If we got there in time we could have stopped the woman, investigated and found out the reason she was out there," Colarulo said. "Unfortunately when you have that information after the fact, it really puts you behind the eight ball."
Colarulo added that the investigation is near its end, but police believe their initial theory holds: that Jennair Gerardot acted alone. Also, police discovered that she legally bought the weapon that was used in the murder-suicide.
The shocking slaying was rooted in an affair between Chapman and Gerardot's husband, Mark Gerardot, investigators have said.
"She broke into the house, she was lying in wait and she shot her as soon as she walked in and then she shot herself," Colarulo said. "There were emails and text messages indicating what [Gerardot] planned to do."
Also inside the rented Cadillac was ammunition and a receipt from a nearby gas station that showed Gerardot had been in the area since at least 2:40 p.m. on April 23, 2018, police said. The vehicle was found on an adjacent side street to Lowrys Lane. Gerardot had rented the vehicle April 13, 2018, in Wilmington.
In a twist, Mark Gerardot had gone to a restaurant nearby the murder scene where he thought he'd be meeting his wife for dinner. When she didn't show up, he went to her house and found the bodies. He then called police.
Chapman had just moved into a three-story brick home on Lowrys Lane with her dog Indy.
When investigators arrived at the scene, Gerardot’s husband, Mark Gerardot, told officials that his wife might be inside.
"You had a man that was married, that was having an affair with this other woman," Colarulo said. "The wife knew about it and this was a calculated, planned attack."
Neighbor Tom Dougherty was stunned by the news, telling NBC10 that "this is not what usually happens on this street.”
"Nothing ever happens on this street,” he said.
Chapman was a former WHYY producer for its Delaware bureau and ran an unsuccessful bid as a Republican for a state Senate seat in Delaware. She was also married to Newark City Councilman Luke Chapman, but the couple was reportedly separated.
She had recently moved to the home on Lowrys Lane for a new job at nearby Villanova University.
“Our hearts are broken by the devastating loss of our new colleague,” Villanova University officials said in a statement. “The thoughts and prayers of the entire university community are with her family, friends and colleagues during this extremely difficult time.”
Chapman's family called her a "beacon of light to anyone who was fortunate enough to meet her," in a released statement.
"She loved her family fiercely, was a compassionate friend and among the most talented and innovative professionals in her field," they wrote. "Her death was sudden and tragic, but will not definite who she was to the thousands of people who loved her."
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SUICIDE PREVENTION HELP: The National Suicide Prevention Hotline (1-800-273-8255) is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The family of Meredith Chapman is providing more context to the tragic murder-suicide in Radnor Township, Pennsylvania.
Chapman, who unsuccessfully ran for state Senate, was gunned down Monday in her newly rented home near the campus of Villanova University, by Jennair Gerardot, who believed Chapman was having an affair with her husband. Gerardot then killed herself. At a press conference on Tuesday, Radnor Police chalked up the incident to "an affair."
But on Wednesday, Mike Neilon of the Bellevue Communications Group, on behalf of the Chapman family, provided a statement which shed more light on the situation:
"Meredith was a wonderful daughter, sister, and devoted friend. We loved her very much, just as she loved all of us, and we are devastated by her death. While her marriage to Luke had come to an end, it was gratifying to know that their separation and divorce was amicable, that they remained friends and confidants, and that each of them cared very much for the other."
"We understand that the circumstances of her death are the focus of news attention...but we have chosen to refrain from participating in these stories because they do not and cannot capture the essence of her life. She was a vibrant, vital and caring woman of incredible talent, and we ask for the opportunity to mourn her in private."
Additionally, WDEL has learned that Mark and Jennair Gerardot were also separated and in the process of getting a divorce. They had retained attorneys and were waiting for the six-month separation required by Delaware state law in order to file for divorce. That six-month separation was nearing its end when Monday's events unfolded.
Chapman was a top marketing official at the University of Delaware for nearly a decade. She recently took a position as vice president at Villanova University.
Latex gloves, ear plugs and binoculars were found by officers inside Jennair Gerardot's rented black Cadillac XTS, police in Radnor Township, Delaware County, NBC10 reported.
Also inside the rented Cadillac was ammunition and a receipt from a nearby gas station that showed Gerardot had been in the area since at least 2:40 p.m. Monday, police said. The vehicle was found on an adjacent side street to Lowry's Lane, where Chapman had recently moved. Gerardot had rented the vehicle April 13, 2018 in Wilmington.
The woman who killed an up-and-coming political player from Delaware was lying in wait, donning a disguise, according to authorities Tuesday.
According to Radnor officials, Meredith Chapman had no idea she was stepping into a trap laid for her by Jennair Gerardot at her Radnor home along Lowrys Lane, to which she had just moved.
Radnor PD: Jennair Gerardot of Wilmington shot Meredith Chapman to death at Chapman's rental home Monday night, then killed herself.
— 101.7FM/1150AM WDEL (@WDEL) April 24, 2018
Radnor Township Police officials said Gerardot planned to kill Chapman because she believed Chapman had been romantically involved with her husband, and donned a wig on the train ride from Delaware to Radnor, broke into Chapman's house, then cleaned up the glass so nothing looked amiss.
While Gerardot's husband was reportedly waiting for his wife to show up for dinner, he began receiving concerning text messages from her, and police said he headed for Chapman's house based on the messages he was receiving. He called police and met them when they arrived at the house, explaining he believed his wife was inside.
Gerardot shot the 33-year-old with a .357 revolver as she entered the home, then killed herself with the gun. Neighbors reported gunshots around 7 p.m. on Monday, April 23, 2018.
"This was a calculated, planned attack," Radnor Police Superintendent Bill Colarulo said. "She (Gerardot) broke into the house, she was lying in wait and shot her (Chapman) as soon as she walked in. Then she shot herself."
As part of the investigation, a bag was discovered that was not believed to belong to Chapman. "There was a wig and some clothing in there. It's possibly something that may have been used to disguise her entry into the house," Radnor Deputy Police Superintendent Christopher Flanagan said. "However, with no witnesses we can't confirm or deny that."
Colarulo also said there were e-mails and text messages from Jennair Gerardot that indicated what she planned to do. Those communications are being examined as the investigation continues.
"Meredith was a beacon of light to anyone who was fortunate enough to meet her," said a family spokesperson. "She loved her family fiercely, was a compassionate friend and among the most talented and innovative professionals in her field. Her death was sudden and tragic, but will not define who she was to the thousands of people who loved her. Her family is devastated, heartbroken and requests privacy and respect as they grieve."
Chapman ran for Delaware state Senate in 2016 against Sen. David Sokola, was formerly senior director of marketing at the University of Delaware, and was married to former Newark city councilman Luke Chapman. She recently accepted a new position as an assistant vice president at Villanova University.
“Kathy and I are stunned by the news about Meredith and I’m deeply, deeply saddened to learn that such a promising young woman’s life has been cut so short," Sokola said in a statement issued Tuesday. "I’ve always respected my opponents and Meredith was certainly no exception. She was sharp, hard working, and motivated by a sincere desire to serve her community. She was bound for great things and it’s tragic for that light to go out so soon. I’ve also had the privilege to work with her husband, Luke, over the years, and he especially is in our hearts today. We wish him strength, peace, and privacy in what we know is an incredibly difficult and painful time."
The University of Delaware also provided a statement expressing the sorrow of all her former coworkers.
"Everyone who knew and worked with Meredith is heartbroken. As a proud alumna of UD, her commitment to her work was exceeded only by her boundless energy. She believed earnestly in the power of communication to bring people together, whether to achieve their collective goals or simply to share their stories. We will miss her."
New Castle County Police assisted with the investigation.
Police in Pennsylvania are investigating an apparent murder-suicide in Radnor Township, but both women are from Delaware.
Police found the two women fatally shot in a home Monday night.
Police have not released the identities of the deceased, but WDEL News has learned one is Meredith Chapman - former candidate for Delaware's State Senate and wife of a former Newark city councilman Luke Chapman.
Sen. David Sokola provided a statement Tuesday morning expressing bafflement at the situation and sympathies for the family and friends now dealing with the fallout:
“Kathy and I are stunned by the news about Meredith and I’m deeply, deeply saddened to learn that such a promising young woman’s life has been cut so short. I’ve always respected my opponents and Meredith was certainly no exception. She was sharp, hard working, and motivated by a sincere desire to serve her community. She was bound for great things and it’s tragic for that light to go out so soon. I’ve also had the privilege to work with her husband, Luke, over the years, and he especially is in our hearts today. We wish him strength, peace, and privacy in what we know is an incredibly difficult and painful time."
A motive for the shootings isn't clear.
New Castle County police are assisting in the investigation.
As the dust began to settle Election Day, there were some clear standout surprises and firsts for the First State.
The biggest upset of the night came in the state Senate, where Senate President Pro Tempore Patti Blevins of Elsmere was defeated by Republican Anthony DelCollo. He won by only 282 votes.
For Lt. Governor, Democrat Bethany Hall-Long defeated Republican La Mar Gunn, 59 percent to 40 percent.
"I'm excited to get to work with John Carney," Hall-Long said. "As we went from Brandywine to Blades, we heard those issues we touched on--healthcare, economy, academics."
Gunn said he believed--even though they didn't win--Republican candidates brought issues to light like the heroin epidemic and the loss of jobs--areas where Democrats have work to do.
"I think we exposed some things, and hopefully--and prayerfully--the people who did win will address the problems that we have, cause they aren't going anywhere."
Delaware made history more than once Tuesday, including by electing its first Hispanic-heritage candidate to statewide office.
Democrat Trinidad Navarro defeated Republican Jeff Cragg, 59 percent to 41 percent.
"When we started this campaign, we talked about: Why are we doing this? What are you going to do for people in Delaware?" Navarro said. "And I promise you, I will stand up to the big insurance companies and put an end to these outrageous rate increases."
Delawareans also made an historic vote to send
Lisa Blunt Rochester to the U.S. House--the first time Delaware has sent a woman and an African American to Capitol Hill.
In other state Senate races, incumbent Democrats Harris McDowell of Wilmington and David Sokola of Newark survived close challenges from upstart Republicans James Spadola and Meredith Chapman, respectively.
No incumbent state House members were defeated.
Should parents be able to opt their children out of state tests? Major party state Senate candidates in the 8th district have differing views.
The hot-button issue took over the last General Assembly, and Republican challenger Meredith Chapman wants to see it revisited. She favors an opt-out provision.
"We need to actually support opt-out--out of the state assessment tests--and then allow for what I think we need--an alternative program so that students can have another experience--whether it's through critical thinking or problem solving to enrich that because a parent has a right to choose what is best for their child," said Chapman.
Longtime incumbent state Senator David Sokola does not fully support an opt-out provision.
"If it said opt-out of Smarter Balanced, I'd probably support it," said Sokola. "But if just said opt-out of the state tests--then I'd have a problem because I think we will be moving to a different assessment within a couple of years anyway."
On the flip side, making sure public schools and charter schools have a better relationship is one point where the major party state senate candidates in the 8th district agree.
With a lawsuit pending against the Christina School District from sharter schools, Sokola said it's something that has to be worked out.
"Either the district has to figure out a way to coordinate efforts with the charters better, or we're going to have to step in and figure out a way that could get done. It's not a simple thing," said Sokola.
Chapman wants public schools and charter schools to better complement one another.
"If we do have a charter--it's a complement--it's something that you could not get in your traditional public schools," said Chapman. "Look at Delaware Military Academy--that's something that you would not expect a traditional public school to offer."
Green Party candidate David Chandler wasn't available to attend the forum, and Green Party State Representative candidate Bernard August sat in for Chandler.
The candidates spoke at Kirk Middle School just outside of Brookside last night.
The University of Delaware's digital communications director used social media to announce a run for a seat in the state Senate.
Using a live video feed on Facebook Wednesday, Meredith Chapman announced she's running for the District 8 seat, which encompasses the Newark, Pike Creek, and Hockessin areas.
Chapman told WDEL running for state Senate wasn't a decision she reached lightly.
"As I was having these conversations, I finally realized that this is something that I can take action and help be part of affecting positive change," she said.
Chapman said she's always called District 8 her home in some way. She grew up in Beech Hill, teaches cheerleading at Newark High School, and serves on the board of the Newark Senior Center. In addition, she serves an adjunct at UD--teaching digital marketing and social media strategy.
Chapman plans to run as a Republican on the platform of innovation, education, and finance.
"Given my background with education--my passion for that--and trying to think of innovative ways that we can really think of outcomes so that our students are prepared for the future--that's something that I really want to help champion," she said.
She also wants to help Delaware get its finances under control.
"It sounds like Delaware's living paycheck to paycheck, so what I want to do is take a look at how we are creating funding mechanisms, and I think it's time that we have to make some tough decisions to really focus on funding in areas where it's needed most."
Her husband, Luke Chapman, is a Newark City Councilman.
She'll face Democrat Dave Sokola--who's held that seat since 1990--in the general election.
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Contact Amy Cherry at acherry@wdel.com or follow her on Twitter at @acherry13.
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