A MOTHER'S TRAGIC ACT

WHAT LED A MUM TO SHOOT HER HUSBAND AND TWO OF HER KIDS BEFORE TURNING THE GUN ON HERSELF?

- • By Olivia Harrowell

The quiet community of Madbury, New Hampshire, has been left reeling after the devastating deaths of four of the Long family on August 18.

Authorities confirmed that 34-year-old Emily Long had accessed a handgun from her home and fatally shot her husband, Ryan Long, 48, along with two of their children, son Parker, 8, and daughter Ryan, 6, before taking her own life.

The only member of the family to be left unharmed was the couple's 3-year-old toddler, whose name is being withheld and who is now in the care of other family members.

Autopsy reports found that Emily and both the children died as the result of single gunshot wounds to the head, while Ryan suffered multiple gunshot wounds.

“While investigators are becoming aware of various concerns and 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,” the New Hampshire attorney general's office said.