School district prepares for return of students following murder-suicide in Madbury

In Madbury, four family members, including two children, died in a murder-suicide just before the start of the new school year at the Oyster River Cooperative School District. Emily Long killed her husband, Ryan, a psychologist at the local middle school, and their two children before taking her own life. As classes begin Wednesday, the district has implemented resources to help students and families process the tragedy. Psychotherapist Lynn Lyons recommends parents encourage children to lead conversations about the event, emphasizing the importance of open-ended questions. Lyons also notes that children often overhear more than adults realize, so parents should be cautious about discussing the incident around them.

If a child is not directly affected, she suggests that parents refrain from mentioning the tragedy. The community mourns the loss of a family deeply connected to their schools and local institutions. This incident highlights the need for mental health resources and support systems in schools.