Family Tragedy Unfolds After Financial Deception

In a heartbreaking series of events that has shaken the small town of Madbury, New Hampshire, a family of four was found dead in what authorities have determined was a murder-suicide carried out by 34-year-old Emily Long. The tragedy, which occurred on August 18, has left the community reeling, especially as details emerge about underlying financial troubles that may have contributed to this devastating outcome. Emily, who worked as the director of operations for Wing-Itz, a local chicken wing restaurant chain, had allegedly been embezzling funds from her employer for months before she took the lives of her husband and two children before ending her own life. As friends, neighbors, and colleagues struggle to make sense of this tragedy, the story reveals how hidden struggles can sometimes lead to unimaginable consequences.

According to the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office, Emily Long fatally shot her husband Ryan Long, 48, who had been battling cancer, along with their 8-year-old son Parker and 6-year-old daughter Ryan in their family home. In a small mercy amid the horror, Emily’s youngest child, a toddler, was found unharmed at the scene. The survival of this young child has become a focal point for the community’s support and healing efforts. The contrast between the violence that claimed three family members and the sparing of the youngest child raises questions about Emily’s state of mind in her final moments. What compels a mother to such devastating actions while showing restraint in one instance remains a painful mystery that those affected by this tragedy may never fully understand.

Behind the scenes of this family tragedy was a mounting financial crisis. Derek Fisher, the owner of Wing-Itz, revealed that Emily had allegedly embezzled more than $600,000 from the restaurant chain since January 2023. The deception came to light when Fisher, working with an accountant, discovered discrepancies in the company’s financial records—cash deposits that were recorded but never actually made it to the company accounts. When confronted about these irregularities, Emily was asked to provide personal bank statements, which were later determined to have been manipulated. According to reports, when Fisher asked Emily to accompany him to the bank to clarify matters, she refused and indicated she would either resign or accept termination, suggesting she knew the full extent of her actions would soon be revealed.

Fisher, who had placed significant trust in Emily as his director of operations, expressed both shock and heartbreak at the situation. “I trusted her. I deeply cared for her and her family. The end result is devastating,” he told Fox News Digital. After discovering the financial discrepancies, Fisher filed three separate police reports for his Hampton, Dover, and Newmarket locations. However, the Hampton Chief of Police, Alex Reno, confirmed that their agency was unable to follow up with Emily before she took her life, and they have since suspended the investigation. Fisher’s statement that he “felt I had no other option other than to go to law enforcement” reflects the difficult position employers find themselves in when discovering potential crimes committed by employees they have come to know personally and care about.

In the aftermath of this tragedy, Fisher has made a compassionate decision regarding the embezzled funds. Despite the significant financial loss to his business—more than $600,000—he has chosen not to pursue recovery of the money out of consideration for Emily and Ryan’s surviving toddler. “I have no interest in punishing that child for something he didn’t do,” Fisher stated, demonstrating remarkable empathy amid his own business’s substantial loss. Instead, Fisher has redirected his energy toward supporting a GoFundMe campaign established for the toddler’s care and has been using social media to help raise funds for the child’s future. This gesture highlights how communities often come together in the wake of tragedy, focusing on protecting the most vulnerable victims and finding ways to create hope from despair.

This devastating case underscores the complex interplay between financial pressure, potential mental health issues, and family violence. While the full motives behind Emily Long’s actions may never be fully understood, the case raises important questions about recognizing warning signs and providing support before situations escalate to such tragic ends. Ryan Long’s cancer diagnosis likely added emotional and financial strain to the family, creating a perfect storm of stressors. The community of Madbury and the surrounding Seacoast region now face the difficult task of healing collectively while supporting the surviving child. Local crisis resources, including the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (988), remain available for those struggling with similar pressures or thoughts. As this small New Hampshire community moves forward, they carry with them the painful reminder that sometimes those in greatest need of help may not reveal their struggles until it’s too late, emphasizing the importance of compassion, vigilance, and accessible mental health resources for all.