Massachusetts mom found dead; police searching for her son as person of interest

A woman was found dead in her home in Reading, Massachusetts, on Thursday morning, and investigators are searching for her son as a person of interest in the case.

Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan said police were first called to the home on Center Avenue around 12:38 a.m. The caller reported that he’d found his wife dead inside the kitchen of the home. The couple’s 13-year-old son was home and unharmed. The couple’s older son, who lives in the home, was missing.

The victim was identified as Andria Hanafin, 49. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is conducting an autopsy, but the cause of death is believed to be a gunshot wound.

Police are searching for the older son, 22-year-old Ryan Hanafin, and his vehicle, a black 2010 Dodge Charger with Massachusetts license plate 2PSY15. He is unaccounted for and considered a person of interest, the DA said.

Reading police added that Ryan Hanafin has a license to carry a gun, which was suspended Thursday morning. Police said he should be considered armed and dangerous and should not be approached. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is urged to call 911.

Ryan Hanafin’s car was last seen driving on I-93 toward Tewksbury, around 7:25 p.m. on Wednesday.

The DA said authorities believe it is a case of domestic violence, though the exact circumstances are under investigation.

“This is first and foremost a terrible tragedy,” Ryan said.

Police have no significant history at the house or with the family, the DA said.

The husband reported that he left for work around 11 a.m. that day and returned around 11 p.m. The younger son last saw his mother alive around 5 p.m., when he left the home with friends. When he returned home around 9 a.m., he said he went straight to his room and did not see his mother.

Aerial video showed a heavy police presence outside a residence, with yellow crime scene tape cordoning off the area.

No further details have been released.