A quiet, tree-lined street in Madbury, New Hampshire, has become the center of a devastating investigation after a family of four was found dead in their home in an apparent murder-suicide. The only survivor, a toddler found unharmed, has left a community and investigators grappling for answers to an unthinkable tragedy.

The New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office identified the deceased as 48-year-old Ryan Long, his 34-year-old wife, Emily Long, and their two children: 8-year-old son, Parker, and 6-year-old daughter, Ryan. The family was discovered with gunshot wounds on the evening of August 19, 2025, at their residence on Moharimet Drive. The investigation, which state police warned would last for “multiple hours,” is now focused on piecing together the motive behind the horrific event.

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The shock of the incident is magnified by the seemingly normal life the Long family presented to their neighbors. The community is now confronting the painful reality that profound distress can remain hidden behind a facade of everyday normalcy. Beverly Ketel, a neighbor on Moharimet Drive, spoke to local media outlet WMUR, describing the family as integrated and friendly. “They were making lemonade this week several times. And my dog sitter had bought lemonade, talked to the mom, patted the dog. Just quite shocking. Still shocking,” Ketel recounted, highlighting the jarring disconnect between the family’s recent activities and the tragic outcome.

Assistant Attorney General Ben Agati confirmed the complexity of the case, stating that investigators currently have “more questions than they have answers.” The primary and most difficult question remains the motive. “Why? And I think that’s probably one of the more difficult things that they are trying to grasp, to understand how this came to be and to be able to be more definitive and to understand what the sequence of events was like inside that house,” Agati explained during a press update. The autopsies for all four victims are scheduled to be performed at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Concord, which may provide further clarity on the exact sequence of events.

The Investigation and Lingering Questions

The case has been classified as a potential murder-suicide, though officials have not disclosed which adult is believed to be responsible. The survival of the young toddler, who was also in the home, adds a layer of miraculous fortune to the profound loss. The child is now in the care of other family members. As the probe continues, law enforcement is meticulously reviewing the family’s background, financial status, and mental health history for any clues that could explain the catalyst for such a desperate act. The absence of any prior public warning signs has made the task of understanding the “why” immensely challenging for both authorities and a grieving community.

A Community in Mourning

In the wake of the tragedy, the small town of Madbury is left to mourn the loss of a young family. The image of children selling lemonade, a quintessential symbol of American suburban childhood, now stands in stark contrast to the darkness that followed. The incident is a grim reminder of the silent struggles that can occur behind closed doors and the critical importance of mental health resources and community support systems.

The Madbury NH family murder-suicide has left an indelible mark of sorrow, a stark reminder that the most profound tragedies are often those with no clear answers. As the investigation seeks to piece together a motive from the silence, a community is left to hold onto the memory of a family lost and the miracle of one young life spared.

Must Know

What happened in Madbury, New Hampshire?
Four members of the Long family were found dead in their Madbury home on August 19, 2025. The victims are Ryan Long, 48, Emily Long, 34, and their children Parker, 8, and Ryan, 6. Authorities are investigating the incident as an apparent murder-suicide.

Who survived the Madbury incident?
The couple’s toddler was found unharmed inside the home and is now safe and in the care of other family members.

What was the cause of death in the Madbury case?
Preliminary reports from the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office indicate all four victims died from gunshot wounds. Official confirmation is pending complete autopsies.

Have the police announced a motive?
As of the latest updates, investigators have not determined a motive. Assistant Attorney General Ben Agati stated that uncovering the “why” behind the tragedy is a primary and challenging focus of the ongoing investigation.

How did the community react?
Neighbors expressed profound shock, describing the Long family as friendly and integrated into the community. The incident has deeply shaken the residents of Madbury.