A family of four in Madbury, New Hampshire—including two children, ages 8 and 6—was discovered dead inside their home this week. Authorities are treating the case as a suspected murder-suicide, the third reported in the United States within just seven days.
According to a release from the New Hampshire Department of Justice, the victims were identified as Emily Long, 34, Ryan Long, 48, Parker Long, 8, and Ryan Long, 6. Each suffered fatal gunshot wounds. A toddler was also found inside the home but was unharmed.
Detectives are continuing their investigation, with autopsies scheduled for August 20 to confirm the exact causes of death. The identity of the shooter has not yet been determined, and no motive has been released.
Ryan Long worked as a school psychologist at Oyster River Middle School. In a statement, Oyster River Superintendent Robert Shaps said, “The Oyster River Cooperative School District community is heartbroken by the tragic loss of four community members. We extend our deepest sympathies to all those impacted during this incredibly difficult time.”
Emily Long served as operations director at Wing-itz, a local restaurant that shared condolences on Facebook, writing, “Our hearts and prayers are with Emily Long’s family during this incredibly challenging time. We are profoundly grief-stricken to hear of their loss. From all of us we send our sincerest condolences.”
This case marks the third suspected family murder-suicide in the past week. On August 11, Oregon State Police reported finding the bodies of Chad and Hannah Behee and their three children, ages 11, 9, and 7, in what investigators believe was a murder-suicide carried out by Chad.
Days later, on August 14, the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Kenneth O’Neil fatally shot his wife, Larrica, and their children, Khristian, 15, and Kinsley, 11, in Daphne, Alabama, before turning the gun on himself.
