SARAH Ferguson has revealed her "loyal" ex-PA has been murdered.
Jenean Chapman previously worked for the Duchess of York, who has since paid tribute to her former trusted employee following the horror.
Jenean Chapman was found dead in her Dallas apartment on Monday, and a 48-year-old man has been arrestedCredit: 5nbcdfw NewsThe Duchess of York with her former PA, Jenean, in 2005Credit: GettyPolice found the 46-year-old's body at her Dallas apartment in Texas on Monday, September 25, just after 1pm.
The tragic discovery inside her Elm Street property came just five months after she moved to the city for a new job.
Her untimely death was initially determined as "unexplained", before a post-mortem concluded it was murder.
Two New York cops stabbed during celebrations in Times SquareJames Patrick, 48, was arrested on suspicion of murder a day later by Austin authorities, as reported by NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth.
He remains in custody.
Fergie has since called her ex-PA, who worked for the Royal Family between 2001 and 2005, a "loyal, hardworking, beautiful and fun" woman.
The 63-year-old has also promised to cover the funeral costs to offer support to Jenean's heartbroken family.
In a statement posted on her Instagram, she wrote an emotional tribute.
It read: "I am shocked and saddened to learn that Jenean 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.
"Jenean was loyal, hardworking, beautiful and fun and my heart breaks for her family and friends.
"I heard from her just a couple of months ago and she seemed so happy.
"Her family is raising money to transport her body back to New York City and pay for legal and funeral costs.
"I will be making a donation and supporting the family in any way possible - please help if you can at the link in my bio."
At least nine killed after New Year's Day stampede at shopping centreFergie took Jenean under her wing after she graduated from New York's Syracuse University.
She had earned herself an impressive degree in TV, film and production.
The PA went on to assist the Duchess on her trips abroad, press events and touring schedules in the early 2000s.
Nicole Marshall, Jenean's sister, told reporters: "She was a force to be reckoned with, she was a role model.
"She was an amazing person, and I still look up to her. I always look up to her as like what I wanted to accomplish in my corporate career.
"She was just an accomplished intellectual. She was a kind person and compassionate. She had a heart of mush."
"Her first job out of college was working with Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York," added fellow sibling Crystal Marshall.
"So she worked with the royal family as a personal assistant, and then from there, she worked at Def Jam, so she worked with the Simmons family."
The devastated family have also started a fundraiser to help bring their loved one's body back to New York.
Fergie has offered to pay the funeral costs of her loyal and dedicated former employeeCredit: 5nbcdfw News