A New Hampshire mother murdered her husband and two young children with a handgun before taking her own life, leaving only a toddler alive in a horrific family massacre that has shattered a quiet rural community.
Story Summary
- Emily Long, 34, shot her husband Ryan, 48, and children Parker, 8, and Ryan Jr., 6, before killing herself
- A surviving toddler was found unharmed in the Madbury home after the August 18 murder-suicide
- Ryan Long served as a respected school psychologist for nine years in the local district
- Investigators have found no motive or prior warning signs for the family annihilation
Murder-Suicide Confirmed by Medical Examiner
Autopsy results released by the New Hampshire Medical Examiner’s Office confirm Emily Long used a handgun from the family’s Madbury home to execute her husband and two children before turning the weapon on herself. The gruesome scene unfolded in the early morning hours of August 18, 2025, in what investigators describe as a deliberate act of family destruction. The couple’s youngest child, a toddler, survived the massacre and was discovered unharmed when authorities arrived at the rural residence.
Respected School Employee Becomes Victim
Ryan Long, 48, worked as a school psychologist at Oyster River Middle School for nine years, earning respect from colleagues and students alike. Both Ryan and Emily were University of New Hampshire graduates who had established deep roots in the close-knit community of approximately 2,000 residents. The family appeared well-integrated into local educational and social circles, making the violent outcome particularly shocking to neighbors and school officials who knew them personally.
Investigation Yields No Warning Signs
Law enforcement officials report finding no prior domestic incidents, police involvement, or public indicators of family distress leading up to the murder-suicide. The New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office continues investigating the case while cautioning the public against speculation about motive. Authorities emphasize the rarity and unpredictable nature of such family annihilations, noting that even trained professionals often cannot identify warning signs before these tragic events occur.
Community Struggles with Aftermath
The Oyster River Cooperative School District, where Ryan Long served, has mobilized crisis counseling and trauma support services for students and staff devastated by the loss. Superintendent Dr. Robert Shaps expressed heartbreak over the tragedy, emphasizing the profound impact on the entire educational community. The surviving toddler’s welfare has become a priority for social services, though details about extended family arrangements remain private as the investigation continues.
A New Hampshire Mom, Emily Long, 34, Shot Dead Her Cancer-Battling Husband, 48, and their Two Young Children, Aged 8 and 6, Before Turning the Gun on Herself, Spares Toddler: AG https://t.co/ZjlTx78ue3
— World I Used To Know 🇺🇸 (@pccote6623) August 22, 2025
This case underscores the importance of mental health awareness and community vigilance, even in seemingly stable families. The tragedy serves as a stark reminder that domestic violence can escalate without warning, devastating entire communities and leaving survivors to grapple with incomprehensible loss.
Sources:
Autopsy points to wife in Madbury murder-suicide that claimed four lives
New Hampshire family murder-suicide
