On September 5, Hagerstown Police Department’ s Criminal Investigation Unit sought a grand jury indictment of Anthony Lee Donnelly, age 41 of Hagerstown (no fixed address) for the murder of his wife, Rachela Virginia Disandro. The grand jury indicted Donnelson and he was apprehended recently in Hagerstown without incident. Donnelly was subsequently transported to the Washington County Detention Center.
The indictment alleges that Donnelly stabbed Disandro to death. He is charged with: first/second degree murder, first/second degree assault, reckless endangerment and dangerous weapon: intent to injure.
The victim’s name is being released as Rachela Virginia Disandro. She was 37 years of age from Hagerstown.
On May 26 at about 5:50 a.m., officers of the Hagerstown Police Department responded to the Hagerstown City Park at the Jonathan Hager House for a report of a deceased person. A 37-year-old female from Hagerstown was located inside a stone alcove beneath the porch of the house. She was pronounced deceased at the scene and the incident is being investigated as an apparent homicide. The victim had been known to sleep at this location and we believe it likely that the suspect and victim were known to one another.
This is an active and ongoing investigation. Further details will be released as appropriate. Anyone with information is asked to contact Det. Ackerman at jackerman @hagerstownpd.org, [email protected] or 240-313-4345.
