People in Madbury still talk about the house on Moharimet Drive. It was the kind of place that looked perfect from the curb—lemonade stands in the summer, two dogs in the yard, and a family that seemed to have it all figured out. But on August 18, 2025, that image shattered.
The tragedy involving Ryan Long Madbury NH isn't just a local news snippet; it is a complex, heartbreaking story of a man who spent his life helping others find their footing, only to be caught in a storm no one saw coming.
Who Was Ryan Long?
Ryan Long wasn't just a name in a police report. He was a 48-year-old pillar of the Oyster River Cooperative School District. For nearly a decade, he worked as a school psychologist. Basically, he was the guy kids went to when their world felt like it was falling apart.
Before he became a doctor of psychology, Ryan lived a whole different life. He graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a degree in Communications and headed straight for Hollywood. He worked in marketing for Sony Pictures. It sounds glamorous, right? But for Ryan, sitting in a cubicle wasn't enough. He told people it didn't "fulfill the values" of giving back.
So, he came home.
He drove a cab on Martha's Vineyard for a while—classic New England move—and eventually went back to school. He earned a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling and later a PsyD. He wasn't just a staff member; he was the past president of the New Hampshire Association of School Psychologists. He was a musician. He was a comedian. He was the guy who sent random, hilarious texts about life to his friends.
The August 18 Incident: A Community in Shock
The facts are heavy. On that Monday night, police responded to a 911 call at the Long residence. Inside, they found four people dead from gunshot wounds: Ryan Long, his 34-year-old wife Emily Long, and two of their children, 8-year-old Parker and 6-year-old Ryan.
A toddler was also in the home. Somehow, the youngest child was physically unharmed.
The New Hampshire Attorney General’s office later confirmed what many feared. Emily Long had killed her husband and two children before taking her own life. It was a murder-suicide that left the Seacoast region paralyzed with grief. Neighbors like Bevy Ketel described the Longs as an "ideal" family. They’d just seen the kids selling lemonade days before.
The Struggles Behind the Scenes
When a tragedy like this happens, everyone looks for a "why." In the case of Ryan Long Madbury NH, the "why" is messy. It involves health crises and legal troubles that most neighbors never suspected.
- A Devastating Diagnosis: Ryan had been battling brain cancer. On TikTok, Emily had created a "personal diary" under the bio "Brain Cancer Wife." She talked about the "rut" she was in and her struggles with depression.
- The Embezzlement Allegations: Shortly after the deaths, a new detail emerged. Emily's former employer, the owner of a restaurant chain, alleged that she had embezzled approximately $660,000 over two years. The owner had reportedly gone to the police just before the tragedy occurred.
- Mental Health Realities: While Emily posted that her TikTok was "cheaper than therapy," the reality of their situation was far more dire.
It’s easy to point at one thing—the cancer, the money, the depression—but the Attorney General’s office cautioned against oversimplification. Life is rarely that linear.
Remembering the Legacy
Despite the dark ending, the Madbury community has tried to focus on who Ryan was as a person. At a vigil held after the incident, he was remembered as a "cheerleader" for his family and students. He was a musician who played live shows across New Hampshire and an athlete who played competitive hockey.
He spent his career implementing "Best Buddies" programs and running workshops on teenage stress. He was literally an expert in the very thing that eventually consumed his household.
Moving Forward: Actionable Steps for the Community
The story of Ryan Long Madbury NH is a stark reminder that you never truly know what is happening behind closed doors. For those in New Hampshire and beyond, there are ways to turn this collective grief into something proactive.
- Utilize 988: If you or someone you know is in a "rut" that feels inescapable, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7 by calling or texting 988.
- Support Local Mental Health: Organizations like Seacoast Mental Health and NAMI New Hampshire (which Ryan was involved with) provide resources for families dealing with chronic illness and mental health crises.
- Check on the "Strong" Friends: Ryan was a psychologist, a leader, and a "bright light." Often, the people who spend their lives supporting others are the ones who find it hardest to ask for help themselves.
- Privacy for the Survivor: There is still a young child who survived this event. The community has set up funds and supports to ensure that the remaining family members have what they need to navigate a future that was forever changed on a Monday night in August.
The house on Moharimet Drive is quiet now, but the conversation about how to prevent such tragedies continues.