Tragic New Hampshire family killed in suspected murder-suicide

A neighbour describes the shock after a TikTok fueled caregiver crisis ends in a New Hampshire family tragedy.

Neighbour speaks out as TikTok mum kills family in murder-suicide

Police in Madbury, New Hampshire say Emily Long, 34, killed her husband Ryan Long, 48, and their two children, Parker, 8, and Ryan, 6, inside the family home on Monday. A toddler was found alive and unharmed. The New Hampshire Department of Justice said autopsy results show Emily’s gunshot wound was self-inflicted and investigators believe she killed the others before taking her own life. Ryan Long had been diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer. Officials say there is no wider threat to the public and the investigation continues. Emily’s TikTok presence had shown her describing caregiver stress, with media reports noting her final posts referenced feeling overwhelmed while caring for a terminally ill husband. The account has since been made private.

Neighbors described the scene as a jarring break from a quiet town. Bevy Ketel told CBS News it looked like a perfect family as far as they knew, and others recalled Ryan as a well-liked figure who was part of the town’s fabric. The living child is in the care of authorities, and there is no indication of danger to others. The case highlights questions about caregiver support, mental health resources, and how online platforms shape conversations around private pain.

The tragedy exposes a harsh tension at the intersection of private suffering and public visibility. Social media can amplify distress while offering moments of connection, yet it can also deepen isolation for people already pressed by illness and caregiving. This case suggests a need for better mental health and caregiver support, especially for families facing terminal illness, without turning private pain into a spectacle.

Ultimately the episode tests how communities respond when the image of a “perfect family” is shattered. Neighbors describe shock and heartbreak, while authorities emphasize there is no ongoing threat. The broader conversation should focus on practical resources for families in crisis and on reporting practices that honor victims while avoiding sensational framing.

Highlights

The town will be watching how support networks adapt in the months ahead.