A New Hampshire mother who tragically killed her family members in a murder-suicide had reportedly confessed to struggling with a shopping addiction. Emily Long, aged 34, took the lives of her husband, Ryan Long, and their two children, Parker and Ryan, in August before ending her own life. This devastating incident came to light as Emily’s employer disclosed accusations that she had embezzled over $660,000 from him over the course of two years.
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Derek Fisher, the owner of a restaurant where Emily worked, revealed that he was planning to confront her about the financial discrepancies on August 11th, hoping to resolve the matter without involving authorities. However, Emily failed to show up for the meeting, and a week later, the entire family was discovered deceased in their home. Further investigation following Fisher’s claims uncovered previous accusations of theft against Emily dating back to 2016 when she was suspected of involvement in the disappearance of $11,000 from a former employer in Nantucket.
Despite past allegations, Emily had openly discussed her shopping addiction, even jesting that being on a budget should be deemed a “crime against humanity.” Fisher recalled instances of excessive shopping behaviour exhibited by Emily, citing regular Amazon packages arriving with her name on them at the restaurant. These revealed patterns underscore the struggles Emily faced with her shopping habits, shedding light on potential underlying factors contributing to her actions.
In the lead-up to the tragic events, Emily had garnered a sizable following on TikTok, where she shared candid glimpses into her family’s journey navigating her husband’s recent brain cancer diagnosis. Through emotional videos, she expressed feelings of being in a depressive state. Concerns over potential financial difficulties surfaced as Emily posted about selling possessions on Facebook shortly before the incident, hinting at mounting pressures she may have been grappling with.
Following the devastating loss of her husband, children, and ultimately her own life, Emily’s toddler son was found unharmed at the scene. A GoFundMe campaign has been initiated to support the child left behind in the wake of the tragedy. This heartbreaking story serves as a stark reminder of the complex web of challenges individuals can face, manifesting in ways that may not always be immediately apparent.
For individuals experiencing domestic violence or in need of support, resources such as the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 offer confidential assistance round-the-clock in over 170 languages. Through dialogue and awareness, communities can come together to provide vital support and intervention to prevent such harrowing incidents from occurring.
As investigations continue and details unfold, the case of Emily Long prompts reflection on the importance of recognising and addressing underlying issues such as addiction and mental health struggles. By fostering open conversations and access to appropriate resources, individuals in distress can be offered the help and support needed to navigate challenging circumstances and prevent tragic outcomes.