Authorities in New Hampshire say a mother fatally shot her husband and two children before killing herself, marking the second family murder-suicide in the state this year.
At a Glance
- Four people found dead in a Madbury home on August 18, 2025
- Victims identified as Emily Long (34), Ryan Long (48), and their two sons, ages 6 and 8
- Surviving toddler was rescued unharmed at the scene
- Attorney General’s office confirmed deaths as a murder-suicide
- Incident is the second family murder-suicide reported in New Hampshire in 2025
Discovery and Identification
On the evening of August 18, police were called to a residence in Madbury, a small community in Strafford County, after reports of an emergency inside the home. Responding officers discovered a devastating scene: four family members dead from gunshot wounds. The deceased were later identified as Emily Long, her husband Ryan Long, and their two young children, Parker and Ryan Jr. A toddler in the home survived and was taken into protective custody.
Autopsies conducted by the New Hampshire medical examiner’s office revealed that Emily Long fatally shot her husband and two children before turning the gun on herself. The findings confirmed the case as a murder-suicide, with no outside involvement suspected. Officials emphasized that the investigation is ongoing, but no broader threat to the community exists.
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Local authorities, including the Strafford County Sheriff’s Office, are working with social services to support the surviving child and extended family. Officials stressed the difficulty of processing such tragedies in small towns where families and neighbors are closely connected.
Official Response
New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella released a statement confirming the sequence of events and acknowledging the profound impact of the case on the community. He noted that this marks the second murder-suicide in the state this year involving an entire family, raising concerns among law enforcement and public safety officials.
The Oyster River Cooperative School District, where the two children were enrolled, has initiated crisis response measures, including grief counseling and support programs for classmates and teachers. District leaders expressed deep sorrow over the loss, calling it an unthinkable event that has left the school community in shock.
Community Impact
In Madbury, residents gathered in informal vigils to mourn the victims, placing flowers and toys outside the family’s home. Many described the Long family as friendly and engaged in local life, leaving neighbors stunned by the sudden violence.
Advocacy groups in New Hampshire have renewed calls for stronger domestic violence prevention programs and better access to mental health care, citing this case as another reminder of the dangers posed by untreated crises within households. With two similar tragedies occurring within the same year, state officials face increasing pressure to expand community outreach and protective services.
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