A New Hampshire mother shot and killed two of her children and her husband, who had reportedly been diagnosed with brain cancer, before killing herself, authorities said.
The bodies of Emily Long, 34; Ryan Long, 48; 8-year-old Parker Long, and 6-year-old Ryan Long were found at the family’s Madbury home on Monday.
Authorities believe that in the early hours of the morning, Emily fatally shot her family before killing herself, the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office said in a news release. The husband died from multiple gunshots, and the two children died from a single gunshot, the release states. Their deaths were ruled a homicide.
A third child, a toddler, was found in the home unharmed, a spokesperson said.
The attorney general’s office said a motive is still under investigation. According to the New Hampshire Union Leader, the husband had been diagnosed with brain cancer.
Emily Long posted about the diagnosis on her TikTok account, which was made private after the shootings, the newspaper reported.
A spokesperson for the attorney general’s office said several witnesses had reported Ryan Long’s health battle to them, but they have not viewed any medical records.
“While investigators are becoming aware of various concerns/issues ongoing in the household at the time of the event in question, people should avoid speculating that this event was caused by a single reason or stressor,” the office said in a news release on Wednesday.
Ryan Long was a school psychologist at Oyster River Middle School, NBC Boston reported. Superintendent Robert Shaps told the news station in a statement that the district “is heartbroken by the tragic loss of four community members.”
“We extend our deepest sympathies to all those impacted during this incredibly difficult time,” he said.
Emily Long worked for the local restaurant chain Wing-itz.
“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,” the restaurant said in a Facebook statement.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988, or go to 988lifeline.org, to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. You can also call the network, previously known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, at 800-273-8255, or visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources.
