MOTHER FOUND SHOT DEAD IN HER KITCHEN — SON CAPTURED AFTER MULTI-STATE SEARCH

A Massachusetts community has been left shaken after a 49-year-old woman was found shot dead inside her family home, prompting a search for her son that ended in a neighboring state.

Andria Hanafin was discovered in the kitchen of her home in Reading, Massachusetts, shortly after midnight on October 8. Her husband, Matthew Hanafin, reportedly called 911 after returning from work and finding her body.

Investigators identified the couple’s 22-year-old son, Ryan Hanafin, as a person of interest in the case. Police warned the public that he might be armed and dangerous and urged anyone who saw him not to approach him, but to contact emergency services.

Authorities said Ryan had a license to carry a firearm, which was suspended as the investigation unfolded.

The search crossed state lines. Vermont State Police later took Ryan into custody on Thursday afternoon, bringing the immediate search to an end.

According to local reporting, the couple’s 13-year-old son was also at home around the time of the 911 call but was not injured. Their daughter was away at college.

Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan described the case as an alleged domestic-violence situation, while noting that the circumstances did not fit the typical pattern people might expect.

The investigation into Andria’s death remains ongoing. At the time of initial reports, authorities had not confirmed whether Ryan would face criminal charges in connection with his mother’s death. He was being held in Vermont on a fugitive-from-justice charge.

Friends remembered Andria as a kind and caring person who loved her family, adding to the grief felt by those who knew her.

For investigators, the next step is to establish what happened inside the home and determine whether anyone will face further charges.

Sources:

PEOPLE

CBS Boston

Boston.com