White Pine, Tennessee – A woman from Philadelphia is facing a slew of charges after allegedly killing a 72-year-old widower, stealing his Mercedes, driving it 600 miles to Tennessee, and assuming the identity of the deceased man’s wife. Meghan Macklin, 45, has been in custody in Tennessee awaiting extradition to Pennsylvania since the discovery of the body of Richard MacFarland, who was found stabbed to death in his home in October.
The Bucks County prosecutors announced that Macklin is being held on $500,000 cash bail in connection with charges of first-degree murder, second-degree murder, robbery, theft by unlawful taking, possession of an instrument of crime, abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, and simple assault.
The investigation was initiated when a potential buyer of MacFarland’s house stumbled upon his body in Wrightstown, about 30 miles northeast of Philadelphia, leading to the gruesome discovery of his injuries. The District Attorney revealed that MacFarland had been found dead with arm lacerations and stab wounds, including one that exposed his intestines.
Further details of the investigation revealed that MacFarland was fully dressed to conceal the fatal stab wounds that ultimately led to his death. Police also uncovered a blood-soaked rug and bloody bedding packed away in various rooms of the home.
Macklin’s attempts to evade capture started to unravel when she was reported for shoplifting at a convenience store in White Pine, Tennessee. She had been posing as Janet MacFarland, the late wife of Richard MacFarland since 2019, showcasing false identification documents in an attempt to establish her false identity.
Additionally, investigators were able to match Macklin’s DNA to samples found at the crime scene, providing further evidence of her involvement in the murder. With some gaps still present in the timeline of events, authorities are urging anyone with information about the homicide or Macklin’s whereabouts between October 4 and 7 to come forward.
The shocking case has left the community stunned, with many still puzzled by Macklin’s motives and the extent of her deception in assuming the identity of the victim’s deceased wife. As the investigation continues, more details are expected to emerge, shedding light on the tragic events that led to MacFarland’s untimely death.