Madbury, New Hampshire — A devastating incident involving a suspected murder-suicide has left a community in shock. The case centers around Emily Long, 34, who allegedly took the lives of her husband, Ryan Long, 38, and their two children, Parker, 8, and Ryan, 6, before ending her own life. The tragedy unfolded shortly after recent allegations emerged that Emily Long had embezzled more than $600,000 from her workplace.
Emily Long was the operations manager for Wing-Itz, a chain of chicken restaurants. According to reports, the embezzlement allegations surfaced on August 11, just one week before the family was discovered dead at their Moharimet Drive home. The owner of Wing-Itz, Derek Fisher, told authorities he first noticed irregularities in the business accounts in June, prompting questions that ultimately led to a deeper investigation.
Fisher recalled confronting Long on June 18 after numerous checks had been drawn from business accounts to her personal bank account. Despite Emily’s initial cooperation, sending bank statements that later proved to be altered, she became increasingly uncommunicative. On August 11, the day they were supposed to meet at the bank, she texted Fisher with an ultimatum related to her employment status.
As the investigation continued, Fisher filed a complaint with the Hampton Police Department, but the probe was incomplete when the tragedy struck. Long’s death, along with the deaths of her husband and children, has raised questions about potential motivations and contributing factors. Neighbors expressed their disbelief about the family’s fall from grace, highlighting the stark contrast between their previously normal lives and the recent accusations.
Authorities responded to a 911 call on August 18 that reported several deceased individuals within the residence. Upon arrival, police discovered the bodies of two adults and two children, with a third child, a toddler, found uninjured. Autopsy reports indicated that Ryan Long had suffered multiple gunshot wounds, while each child had suffered a single gunshot to the head. Emily Long’s death was ruled a suicide, occurring shortly after the other shootings.
The Long family was known in their close-knit community, with Ryan working as a school psychologist at Oyster River Middle School. Emily had recently shared online about her husband’s struggle with an aggressive type of brain cancer, adding another layer of complexity to the tragic event. The school district expressed sorrow at losing a beloved member of its staff, confirming a collective sense of grief.
As investigators delve deeper into the circumstances surrounding the incident, authorities have urged the community not to rush to conclusions about the motives that led to this heartbreaking event. The impacts of financial stress, personal struggles, and mental health issues appear to intertwine, leaving many unanswered questions.
Madbury, a small town with a population under 2,000, is now holding vigils as residents mourn the loss of a family that they once knew. Amid the shock and sadness, the community is reminded of the vital importance of mental health awareness and the resources available for those in crisis.