Orange County resident Edward V. Holley, age 42, of Wawayanda, was arrested on Thursday, April 20, and charged with killing the 20-year-old, said Trooper Steven Nevel.
McDonald's body was found in Orange County on Saturday, March 15, 2003, in the field off Bowser Road in the town of Wallkill.
Her 1991 white Mercury Sable was discovered two days later in an apartment complex parking lot, in the town of Wallkill, said Nevel.
The cause of death was determined to be blunt force trauma, Nevel said.
At the time of her death, McDonald worked at a restaurant in the Galleria Mall in Middletown and was attending SUNY Orange County Community College.
Holley is being held without bail at the Orange County Jail.
This is a developing story. Check back to Daily Voice for updates.
Click here to follow Daily Voice North Salem and receive free news updates.