A friend of Emily Long, the woman involved in a tragic incident where she shot her husband and two children before taking her own life, shared insights into the difficulties she faced prior to these events.
Emily, a mother of three, shot her husband and two young children, ages 8 and 6, before turning the gun on herself at their home in New Hampshire, as reported by the New Hampshire Department of Justice.
The youngest child, a toddler, was unharmed in the shootings.
The Daily Mail reported that Long had just left her job due to dissatisfaction, and those around her knew she was struggling.
“She had recently left her employment and was dissatisfied with her career, and they were evidently struggling financially and in danger of losing their home,” revealed the friend.
“Emily had a network of friends around her who knew what she was going through and even so were still shocked and caught off guard.”
Long had posted multiple TikToks detailing the issues she was going through as her husband, Ryan, 48, battled brain cancer.
Officials haven’t confirmed the details of the dad’s illness.
The source told the Daily Mail that Ryan was bedridden, and undergoing chemotherapy.
Emily had posted videos addressing the challenges she faced in explaining her husband’s illness to their children and often updated her over 6,400 followers about his medical treatments.
Two weeks before their deaths, Long admitted that she needed help.
“I know that I will [get help] one day, and I hope that I make the decision before I feel that it’s too late,” she said.
“Today I decided I need to make a conscious effort to shift my mindset,” she said on TikTok just days before the murder-suicide.
“I’m getting out of this depression whether I want to or not.”
She previously said online that she was “lonely” and “anxious.”
The Attorney General’s office stated, “It seems that early on the morning of Monday, August 18, 2025, Ms. Long took a firearm from their residence and was responsible for the deaths of Ryan Long and their two children, Parker and Ryan, before taking her own life.”
Attorney General’s statement
On August 20, the New Hampshire Department of Justice released the following statement:
It was announced by Attorney General John M. Formella, New Hampshire State Police Colonel Mark B. Hall, and Madbury Police Department Chief Joseph McGann that autopsies were completed for Ryan Long (48), Emily Long (34), Parker Long (8), and Ryan Long (6), whose bodies were found at their home in Madbury on Monday, August 18, 2025.
Associate Chief Medical Examiner Abigail Alexander conducted autopsies today on both minors Parker Long and Ryan Long. Dr. Alexander determined that both children’s causes of death were single gunshot wounds of the head, and their manners of death are homicide.
Chief Medical Examiner Jennie V. Duval conducted autopsies on both adults, Ryan Long and Emily Long. Dr. Duval determined that Mr. Long’s cause of death was multiple gunshot wounds, and his manner of death is homicide. Dr. Duval determined that Emily Long’s cause of death was a single gunshot wound of the head, and her manner of death is suicide.
Based upon the information available at this time, it appears that in the early morning hours of Monday, August 18, 2025, Ms. Long took a handgun from the home and caused the deaths of Ryan Long and her two children, Parker and Ryan, and then took her own life immediately thereafter. 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.
Citizens in crisis are reminded that they can call, text or chat with the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 9-8-8, or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741.
No further information is expected to be released at this time.”
“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.”
The family friend claimed that it was unclear why their toddler was the only one to survive.
“I don’t know why she spared him,” they said.
“I can’t make sense of it.”
The child is now with family.
Autopsy results say that the children died after single gunshot wounds to the head, while Ryan was shot multiple times. Their three deaths were ruled a homicide.
Emily’s death was reportedly caused by a single gunshot wound to the head, and her death was ruled a suicide.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988, chat on 988lifeline.org, or text Crisis Text Line at 741741.
