Incident Summary

A devastating situation unfolded in Madbury, New Hampshire, where 34-year-old Emily Long fatally shot her two young children, Parker, 8, and Ryan, 6, along with her husband, Ryan Long, 48. This tragic event took place on August 18, leaving only a toddler unharmed within the household.

Background Context

Emily Long was the director of operations at Wing-Itz, a local chicken wing business, and was reportedly under investigation for embezzling funds from her employer. This inquiry began just a week prior to the tragic event, on August 11, when a theft complaint was lodged with Hampton Police.

Police Chief Alex Reno noted, “Our department was not able to engage in a meaningful investigation prior to her untimely death,” indicating that the case remains active, albeit suspended for the moment.

Details of the Investigation

Owner Derek Fisher revealed that Long was suspected of embezzling approximately $660,000 over three years, going back to January 2020. He stated that unusual transactions were discovered where Long had written checks from company accounts to her personal bank account. When confronted about the discrepancies, Long attempted to justify her actions but ultimately decided to resign on the same day the police complaint was made.

Fisher further stated that the subsequent bank statements provided by Long appeared suspicious and had allegedly been tampered with. Although he initially sought to address the matter amicably, the situation escalated, leading him to contact law enforcement.

Community Response and Aftermath

The entirety of the community has been left in shock, grappling with the grisly discovery of the family inside their home. The official autopsy revealed that Ryan Long succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds, while his two children died from single shots each. The deaths have been categorized as homicides.

In light of the tragedy, Wing-Itz expressed their condolences, stating, “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.”

The New Hampshire Attorney General’s office mentioned that investigations continue into the motivations behind this harrowing incident, emphasizing the complexity of the household issues that may have contributed to the event. They urged the public to refrain from speculating too narrowly about the reasons behind this tragedy.

Support Resources

If you or someone you know is facing a crisis, please reach out for help. You can contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988 or visiting 988lifeline.org. Additionally, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be reached at 800-273-8255 or by visiting SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources.