5 Shocking Factors That Led To The Tragic Emily And Ryan Long Murder-Suicide

The tragic story of Emily and Ryan Long, which unfolded in Madbury, New Hampshire, remains one of the most complex and heartbreaking family tragedies in recent memory. As of December 12, 2025, investigators and the public continue to process the devastating details of the August 2023 murder-suicide that claimed the lives of four family members, leaving a single toddler survivor. This article delves into the shocking factors—from a massive financial crime to a private health battle—that created the volatile environment leading to the horrific event.

The case of the Long family is a stark reminder of the hidden struggles behind seemingly normal domestic life. The initial investigation by the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office quickly identified 34-year-old Emily Long as the perpetrator, who fatally shot her husband and two children before taking her own life. The subsequent findings revealed a disturbing confluence of financial pressure, serious health issues, and a sudden criminal investigation that ultimately culminated in the complete destruction of the family unit.

Biography and Family Profile of Emily and Ryan Long

The Long family lived in Madbury, a small, quiet town in New Hampshire. They presented a public image of a loving family unit, though behind the scenes, they were grappling with immense challenges.

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• Ryan Long (Husband):
• Age: 48 at the time of death.
• Health Battle: Ryan was reportedly suffering from a debilitating form of brain cancer, which was a significant source of stress for the family.
• Cause of Death: Multiple gunshot wounds, ruled a homicide by the Chief Medical Examiner, Jennie V. Duval.
• Emily Long (Wife/Perpetrator):
• Age: 34 at the time of death.
• Occupation: Former Director of Operations for Wingz-It in Hampton, NH.
• Criminal Investigation: She was under investigation for allegedly embezzling between $600,000 and $660,000 from her employer.
• Social Media Presence: Emily had a large following on platforms like TikTok, where she often shared updates about her husband’s brain cancer journey.
• Cause of Death: Single self-inflicted gunshot wound, ruled a suicide.
• The Children:
• Parker Long: Son, age 8. Cause of death was a gunshot wound, ruled a homicide.
• Ryan Long (Daughter): Age 6. Cause of death was a gunshot wound, ruled a homicide.
• Toddler (Unidentified): A third, younger child survived the incident and was placed with relatives.

The Timeline of the Madbury Family Tragedy

The horrific events of August 2023 were the culmination of several months of escalating pressure. The investigation pieced together a devastating sequence of events that highlighted the desperation Emily Long was facing.

The Mounting Financial Pressure: Embezzlement and Addiction

One of the most significant and shocking factors was the revelation of a massive financial crime. Emily Long, utilizing her position as Director of Operations at Wingz-It in Hampton, was accused of embezzling a staggering sum of money—estimated at over $600,000—from the company since 2018.

• Theft Investigation: Just one week before the murder-suicide, Emily was officially under investigation for the theft.
• Shopping 'Addiction': Her employer, who brought the charges, suggested that the theft was fueled by a "shopping addiction," indicating a deep-seated behavioral issue alongside the criminality.
• Financial Ruin: The potential for criminal charges, public humiliation, and the complete financial ruin of her family likely served as a primary trigger for the subsequent violence. The pressure of this imminent exposure was immense.

The Battle with Brain Cancer and Social Media Persona

Adding to the financial stress was the severe health crisis facing Ryan Long. He was battling brain cancer, a struggle that Emily had documented extensively on social media, garnering a large following.

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• Public vs. Private Life: The social media posts painted a picture of a devoted wife and mother caring for a sick husband, creating a stark contrast with the private reality of her alleged criminal activities and the underlying distress.
• Distressing Posts: Authorities later noted that Emily had made a series of "distressing social media posts" in the time leading up to the tragedy, which in hindsight, may have been cries for help or indicators of her deteriorating mental state.
• Caregiver Fatigue: The emotional and physical toll of caring for a terminally ill spouse, combined with the stress of a massive hidden financial crime, created a perfect storm of mental and emotional exhaustion.

The Horrific Conclusion and Aftermath

The family tragedy reached its climax on a Monday morning in August 2023. The New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office concluded that Emily Long used a handgun to shoot her husband, Ryan, and two of their children, Parker and Ryan, before turning the weapon on herself.

• Weapon Used: A handgun was the instrument of the quadruple murder-suicide.
• Survivor: A young toddler, the Longs' youngest child, was the sole survivor of the immediate event and was found unharmed.
• Official Findings: The official autopsy results confirmed the sequence of events, ruling Ryan, Parker, and the younger Ryan's deaths as homicides and Emily's as a suicide.

The community of Madbury was left reeling by the incident, struggling to reconcile the public face of the Long family with the horrific private reality. The case serves as a profound example of how severe, compounding stressors—financial ruin, chronic illness, and a sudden criminal investigation—can push an individual to a breaking point, resulting in unimaginable violence. The ongoing investigation and subsequent media coverage continue to explore the warning signs and the tragic consequences of unchecked stress and hidden crises in domestic life, leaving a legacy of grief and unanswered questions for the surviving family members and the community.