Madbury, NH – The harrowing case of a New Hampshire mother who fatally shot her cancer-stricken husband and two children before taking her own life has taken a darker turn with revelations that she was being investigated for embezzling over $660,000 from her employer. This disturbing detail was disclosed by her former boss, shedding new light on the tragic sequence of events.

Emily Long, 34, who worked as the director of operations at a Wing-Itz chicken chain branch, was confronted about the unauthorized deposit of company funds into her personal bank account. Her boss, Derek Fisher, revealed that this malpractice had been ongoing for more than two years and came to light during a thorough review of the company’s finances.

Embezzlement Investigation Unfolds

According to Fisher’s account, the discovery began in June 2023 when he, along with an accountant, noticed alarming inconsistencies in the financial records. Several cash deposits into Long’s personal account did not align with company accounts, raising suspicions of theft.

• More than $660,000 was misappropriated, starting early January 2023.
• The suspicions prompted Fisher to confront Long about the missing funds, but she failed to provide any explanation.
• She was requested to produce three months of bank statements, but the documents she presented on August 5 were incomplete and appeared doctored.
• Due to Long’s difficult circumstances with her husband’s terminal illness, Fisher exercised patience before reporting the matter to law enforcement.

“I felt I had no other option than to go to law enforcement,” Fisher said. “We noticed there were a lot of handwritten checks being deposited into her bank account.”

Tragic Murder-Suicide Linked to Overwhelming Pressures

The investigation intensified just days before the horrific murder-suicide on August 18, when Long killed her husband, Ryan Long, who was battling glioblastoma — a highly aggressive brain cancer — and their two eldest children, Parker (8) and Ryan (6). She then took her own life.

Police discovered the couple’s youngest child, aged 3, alive and unharmed in the family’s home, making them the sole survivor of the tragedy.

In the weeks leading to the incident, Emily Long had posted videos on TikTok expressing feelings of being overwhelmed and deeply depressed as she faced the impending death of her husband, highlighting the intense emotional strain she was under.

“Given her circumstances with her husband, I was trying to be considerate and patient,” Fisher reflected on his approach before involving authorities.

Uncertainty Over Role of Embezzlement in Tragedy

While the police filed a report on August 11 regarding the embezzlement investigation, it remains unclear whether the financial deception played a direct role in Emily Long’s decision to commit murder-suicide.

Fisher expressed that he does not intend to pursue legal action to reclaim the stolen funds. Instead, he hopes that any recovered money benefits the surviving child, recognizing the innocence and suffering of the young survivor.

• Fisher emphasized that the survivor “deserves all of it” as compensation for the tragedy endured.
• He acknowledged that the child had no part in the events leading up to the crime.

“Anything that’s left of it should go to that child — he deserves all of it. It’s not fair to him. He didn’t make this happen, and he didn’t deserve this.”

This heartbreaking story reflects the complex and tragic intersections of financial crime, terminal illness, and mental health struggles. For more detailed coverage on this and related news, visit nypost.com.

What This Tragedy Teaches Us

• Financial pressures and mental health challenges can have devastating consequences if unaddressed.
• Early detection and support systems are critical for individuals facing multiple personal and professional stresses.
• The importance of community awareness about sensitive mental health situations cannot be overstated.