New Hampshire Mom, 26, and Her 3-Year-Old Son Dead Following Apparent Murder-Suicide: 'A Tough Day'

A mother in New Hampshire and her 3-year-old son have died in what police believe was a murder-suicide.

According to a press release — issued by the New Hampshire Attorney General John M. Formella, New Hampshire State Police Colonel Mark B. Hall and Pembroke Police Department Chief Gary R. Gaskell — police in Pembroke were called to a home by a resident at around 1 a.m. local time on Friday, May 9.

“Upon entering the home, they made contact with the resident who called 911,” the press release states. “Upstairs in a bedroom, they discovered the two other residents suffering from apparent gunshot wounds: Julia Byrne (age 26) and her son, Blake Byrne (age 3).”

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The witness at the scene told responding officers that they heard two gunshots and then went to the bedroom, where they found Julia and Blake, both with gunshot wounds.

The 3-year-old was taken to nearby Concord Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Emergency personnel pronounced Julia dead at the scene.

According to an autopsy from assistant chief medical examiner Abigail Alexander, the 26-year-old mother and her son both died from single gunshot wounds to the head. Blake’s manner of death is considered homicide, and Julia’s manner of death is still pending.

“At this time, authorities are still investigating this as a possible murder and suicide,” the statement added. “No further information is expected to be released at this time.”

A neighbor who spoke with the Concord Monitor said he did not often see people coming in and out of the family’s home, and wasn’t sure who lived there.

“I don’t know who lived there and I don’t think I ever saw them come out of the house,” said Ryan Demers, who has lived in the rural area of Pembroke for two years. “As far I knew, they pretty much kept to themselves.”

School Board Chair Kerri Dean told the local outlet that parents at the New Hampshire town’s local schools began picking up their children after the news broke.

“Obviously, people are quite on edge,” Dean said.

Select Board Chair Karen Yeaton told the Monitor that the school board was aware of the ongoing investigation.

“It’s a tough day here in Pembroke. Very sad,” Yeaton said. “The Select Board is very, very concerned about the family of the victims in the shootings. Our deepest condolences go out to those family members, but at this time we can’t say more than that.”

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 or go to 988lifeline.org.