Authorities issue devastating update on mother who killed husband and children in murder-suicide

Warning: This article contains discussion of suicide which some readers may find distressing.

Authorities have issued a devastating update after a mother allegedly killed her terminally ill husband and children before taking her own life.

Emily Long, 34, was found dead alongside Ryan, 48, and their two kids, aged eight and six, at their home in Madbury, New Hampshire, US, on Monday morning (18 August).

Their youngest child, a toddler, was found unharmed in the home and is in a ‘safe environment’ in the care of other family members.

Investigators suggested the case appeared to have been a murder-suicide, and autopsies have now been carried out.

In the months before the deaths, Emily had made a number of distressing posts on social media, discussing her husband’s brain tumour diagnosis and the impact on her family’s mental health.

The four family members were found dead in their home. (Facebook)

Thought to have taken place shortly before their deaths, the mum said ‘our kids are definitely struggling’ in a video.

"Today I decided I need to make a conscious effort to shift my mindset. I'm getting out of this depression whether I want to or not,” Emily had said. "I am determined to create normalcy."

Autopsies have now revealed that both of the children died of a single gunshot wound to the head, with Ryan dying of multiple gunshot wounds.

Their deaths were ruled as homicides. Emily’s death was ruled a suicide, as she died of a single gunshot wound to the head.

A press release from the New Hampshire Department of Justice read: “Based upon the information available at this time, it appears that in the early morning hours of Monday, August 18, 2025, Ms. Long took a handgun from the home and caused the deaths of Ryan Long and her two children, Parker and Ryan, and then took her own life immediately thereafter.”

It is believed Emily shot herself after her family (CBS News)

It continued: “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."

Assistant Attorney General Ben Agati told WMUR that investigations into the deaths are on-going as he said: “I think the big thing is to try not to speculate that there's any one reason why something like this would happen. Homicide and suicide are usually much, much more complex than just one reason.

"There's still more information that we're trying to gather to narrow down different things."

If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, please don’t suffer alone. Call Samaritans for free on their anonymous 24-hour phone line on 116 123.