Madbury, NH – Authorities have confirmed that Emily Long, 34, fatally shot her husband, Ryan Long, 48, and two of their children, 8-year-old Parker Long and 6-year-old Ryan Long, before taking her own life, according to the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office.
Timeline of the Tragic Incident
Attorney General John M. Formella said the shootings occurred around 5:30 a.m. on Aug. 18, with neighbors calling 911 after failing to make contact with the family. Police responded to the Longs’ home in Madbury at 8:20 a.m., discovering the bodies.
The couple’s third child, a 3-year-old boy, survived and is now in the care of grandparents and other family members.
Details from Autopsies
Autopsy results revealed that Emily Long’s death was a suicide, while her husband and two children were victims of homicide by gunshot. Ryan Long reportedly died of multiple gunshot wounds, whereas each child died from a single gunshot wound to the head.
Ryan Long, a school psychologist at a local middle school, had been living with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer, which reportedly weighed heavily on the family.
Social Media Insights
Emily Long had been documenting her struggles on TikTok, referring to herself as a “Brain Cancer Wife.” In her final video, titled “Making a Change,” she shared her attempts to lift her mood for the sake of her family, expressing feelings of depression and isolation:
“I have been struggling so much and really depressed, and just have really become reclusive and just want to be with my kids and my husband.”
She added:
“I used to be, like, the most social human on this planet, and the past month I have basically declined 98% of all offers and my kids need to be with their friends. Hold me to it. Today I am adjusting my perspective and going to make it a point to get out of my depression and do this for my family.”
Authorities caution the public not to speculate about a single cause or stressor leading to the tragic events.
Family and Community Response
The surviving child is now under the care of grandparents. Neighbors and community members described the Long family as private but involved, and the news of the tragedy has deeply affected the Madbury community.
How can communities support families struggling with severe illness and mental health challenges? Share your thoughts and resources in the comments below.
