A 22-year-old Massachusetts man accused of fatally shooting his mother during an argument over the number of foster cats in their home allegedly sent a disturbing message to his cousin afterward.
Andria Hanafin, 49, was found dead inside her Reading home, roughly 14 miles north of Boston, during the early hours of October 8.
Investigators said the suspect allegedly shot his mother in the head before sending a series of chilling Snapchat messages to his cousin. In one, he reportedly wrote that he had “blew madre to pieces,” followed by another saying he had “blew her s*** smooth off.” He then fled in his car.
Prosecutors said Andria and her son frequently argued because Ryan objected to the number of foster cats she cared for, according to CBS News.
Following the shooting, investigators discovered 84 cats in the house. The animals were taken to the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the outlet reported.
Andria had previously told a friend that she was afraid of her son and worried he might retaliate against her. She also reportedly said that “he had ruined her life,” CBS News reported.
Matthew Hanafin returned home shortly after midnight following a 12-hour shift and found his wife lying in a pool of blood after being fatally shot, officials said.
Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan said Andria was pronounced dead at the scene.
Matthew later said he had urged his son that morning to “get a job and do something” with his life. That evening, Andria reportedly called her husband and emphasized that she wanted Ryan to move out.
Ryan Hanafin, 22, allegedly shot his mother in the head after an argument over the foster cats living in their Massachusetts home
Mother of three Andria Hanafin, 49, was found dead by her husband, Matthew, at their home during the early hours of Thursday
Matthew said he had told his son to “do something” with his life the morning before Ryan allegedly killed Andria
Authorities said Ryan had most recently worked at a gun shop about six months earlier and had previously attended a nearby university, the Boston Globe reported.
The Hanafin family has three children. Their youngest, a 13-year-old, was home when the 911 call was placed, Ryan said. Their daughter was attending college and was away from the house at the time of the shooting.
Ryan left the home after the shooting, prompting authorities to launch an extensive manhunt for the 22-year-old.
Authorities eventually found Ryan in Vermont, where he had driven his 2010 black Dodge Charger. He was taken back to Reading, and officials said they discovered thousands of rounds of ammunition inside the vehicle.
Ryan faces charges of first-degree murder and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.
A search of the house uncovered 19 firearms, including a ghost gun, as well as a 3D printer in Ryan’s bedroom.
Authorities warned residents to exercise “extreme caution” if they encountered Ryan, describing him as potentially “armed and dangerous”
Police stopped the suspect after he fled to Vermont with a firearm and thousands of rounds of ammunition in his car
Police said the family had no history of visits from authorities before last week’s shooting
The 22-year-old is held without bail for the murder charge and a $5,000 bail for an untraceable firearm charge.
At his first appearance in Woburn District Court, Ryan pleaded not guilty to all charges. He is due back in court on November 10. His attorney, Carolyn McGowan, did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Our News Outlet on Saturday.
