In a tragic turn of events, a New Hampshire mother, Emily Long, has been implicated in the deaths of her husband and two children, leaving only her toddler son unharmed. This incident, which occurred on August 18th in Madbury, has sent shockwaves through the community and raised questions about the underlying factors that may have led to this devastating act.
Authorities discovered the bodies of 48-year-old Ryan Long, his 8-year-old son Parker, and 6-year-old daughter, also named Ryan, in their home. Emily, 34, was found deceased at the scene, having reportedly shot her family before taking her own life. A firearm was located near the bodies, which has led investigators to believe this was a murder-suicide.
The family’s struggles had been publicly documented on social media, where Emily shared her experiences as a caregiver for her husband, who was recently diagnosed with brain cancer. In her last TikTok post, she expressed feelings of depression and a desire to regain a sense of normalcy for her family, highlighting her awareness of their emotional turmoil. However, beneath this narrative of familial hardship lies a darker story of financial theft: reports indicate that Emily had allegedly stolen over $660,000 from her employer, a restaurant chain in New Hampshire, since the beginning of 2023.
The restaurant owner noted that discrepancies in cash deposits and checks directed to Emily’s personal bank account had raised suspicions. An investigation was underway, and a meeting had been scheduled to confront Emily about the allegations just a week before the tragic event. Alarmingly, this was not the first instance of theft associated with her; in 2016, she was investigated for stealing from a Nantucket brewpub, where she and an accomplice reportedly took $11,000 in cash and alcohol before fleeing to Thailand.
As the investigation unfolds, it has come to light that Emily may have struggled with a shopping addiction, which her employer suggested could have contributed to her alleged criminal behavior. This revelation adds a layer of complexity to an already tragic scenario, raising questions about the pressures she faced and the impact of financial stress on her mental health.
The immediate aftermath of the tragedy has left a surviving toddler in need of support. A GoFundMe campaign has been established, raising over $150,000 to assist in his care and future needs. The local community has rallied around the cause, emphasizing the need to provide a stable environment for the child, who has now lost his entire family.
While investigators continue to piece together the events leading up to the murders, the motives behind Emily Long’s actions remain shrouded in uncertainty. Experts suggest that the combination of extreme financial strain and personal turmoil can lead to tragic outcomes, though such violent acts are often rare in familial contexts, especially involving mothers. As this case continues to develop, the community grapples with the profound loss and seeks to understand the factors that culminated in this heartbreaking incident.