Elaine Donahue

Passions

Vocation

Family

American homicide victim, beaten to death as she slept at home in Stoneham, MA, 9/18/1997, in the early morning hours. A conscientious and skilled obstetric nurse, she was well-liked and respected. She worked nights on her nursing job and usually slept late in the morning while her husband, Edward (born 9/16/1953) saw the kids up and off to school for the day. She often took double shifts to support the family and her husband's gambling habit. She once told a friend that if anything ever happened to her, they should check out Eddy first. On 9/16/1997 she was reported missing by her nursing colleagues when she did not report for work, and later, by her husband Edward. Police investigating the house with a police dog were led to the basement by the dog. Elaine's body had been stored there before the curiosity of the dogs had necessitated a move. On October 19 or 20, police found the body in a large storage can in a self-storage rental unit, and charged Edward Donahue with his wife's murder. He confessed to bludgeoning her as she slept that morning. Her death, with Ed in prison, left four kids orphaned, Christopher, Colleen, Casey and Corey.