Background: News footage from Madbury, N.H., where four members of the Long family were tragically found deceased on Aug. 18 (WBTS). Inset (from left to right): Ryan Long, their daughter Ryan, son Parker, and Emily Long (Facebook/Emily Long).
Investigators in New Hampshire have concluded that a woman, found dead alongside her husband and two of their children, died by suicide after fatally shooting her family.
New Hampshire Attorney General John M. Formella shared in a press release that autopsies conducted on 48-year-old Ryan Long, 34-year-old Emily Long, 8-year-old Parker Long, and 6-year-old Ryan Long, revealed Emily Long’s death as a suicide. The remaining family members were victims of homicide, all succumbing to gunshot wounds inflicted by Emily Long. A third child, a 3-year-old boy, was discovered in the home unharmed.
Numerous reports indicate that Ryan Long, who was a school psychologist at a local middle school, had been diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. Emily Long had reportedly turned to social media, including TikTok, to share the family’s challenges and her personal struggles.
Formella discussed the timeline of events from Aug. 18 with WMUR, a local ABC affiliate, offering an estimated timeline. He stated that the shootings took place around 5:30 a.m. Several neighbors contacted 911, and police were dispatched to the Long residence in Madbury following the discovery of the bodies at 8:20 a.m. Neighbors had been unable to reach the Longs after hearing the gunfire.
Emily Long, identifying as a “Brain Cancer Wife” on her TikTok profile, posted her final video days before the tragic incident. Her TikTok account was privatized after the event, but the New Hampshire Union Leader reported that in her last video, titled “Making a Change,” Emily Long discussed efforts to lift her spirits for her family’s well-being. She reportedly stated, “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 I’m going to make it a point to get out of my depression and do this for my family.”
Ryan Long was reportedly living with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer.
According to Formella, the two children each died of a single gunshot wound to the head. Ryan Long died of “multiple gunshot wounds.” The press release about the autopsy results seemingly included a reference to Emily Long’s social media presence, stating, “While investigators are becoming aware of various concerns/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.”
Formella confirmed that the lone, surviving child is now in the care of his grandparents and family members.
If you or someone you know is experiencing emotional distress or considering self-harm, help is available immediately at the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.
