Massachusetts Man Charged With Murder in Mother’s Death
19 hours ago
READING, Mass. — A 22-year-old Massachusetts man pleaded not guilty Thursday to murder and other charges in connection with the fatal shooting of his mother inside their Reading home.
Ryan Hanafin was arraigned in Woburn District Court after being extradited from Vermont, where he was arrested on October 8.
Prosecutors allege Hanafin shot his mother, 49-year-old Andria Hanafin, following an argument over the number of cats she was rescuing and keeping in the family home.
Hanafin is charged with first-degree murder, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, 15 counts of improper storage of a large-capacity firearm near a minor, and one count of receiving an untraceable firearm. He was ordered held without bail and is scheduled to return to court November 10.
According to prosecutors, Andria Hanafin died from a gunshot wound to the head. Her husband, Matthew Hanafin, called 911 at 12:38 a.m. on October 8 after returning home and finding her dead.
The couple’s 13-year-old son was home that evening. Prosecutors said the teenager last saw his mother around 5 p.m. before leaving to spend time with friends. He returned around 9 p.m. and went directly to his room without seeing her.
Investigators said Matthew Hanafin had spoken with his wife by phone around 6:50 p.m. During the conversation, they discussed a dispute involving their son Ryan and the cats Andria had been rescuing. She reportedly told her husband she wanted Ryan to move out.
Police said Ryan Hanafin had left the home before officers arrived and fled in a black 2010 Dodge Charger. He was arrested in Vermont later that day.
During the investigation, authorities found 19 firearms in the bedroom where Hanafin had been living, prosecutors said. Ten firearms were registered in his name. He had a Massachusetts license to carry firearms, which was suspended following the incident.
Prosecutors also cited a Snapchat message Hanafin allegedly sent about the night of his mother’s death: “Told him I blew madre to pieces and he believed me.”
The charges against Hanafin remain allegations, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Ryan Hanafin was arraigned in Woburn District Court after being extradited from Vermont, where he was arrested on October 8.
Prosecutors allege Hanafin shot his mother, 49-year-old Andria Hanafin, following an argument over the number of cats she was rescuing and keeping in the family home.
Hanafin is charged with first-degree murder, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, 15 counts of improper storage of a large-capacity firearm near a minor, and one count of receiving an untraceable firearm. He was ordered held without bail and is scheduled to return to court November 10.
According to prosecutors, Andria Hanafin died from a gunshot wound to the head. Her husband, Matthew Hanafin, called 911 at 12:38 a.m. on October 8 after returning home and finding her dead.
The couple’s 13-year-old son was home that evening. Prosecutors said the teenager last saw his mother around 5 p.m. before leaving to spend time with friends. He returned around 9 p.m. and went directly to his room without seeing her.
Investigators said Matthew Hanafin had spoken with his wife by phone around 6:50 p.m. During the conversation, they discussed a dispute involving their son Ryan and the cats Andria had been rescuing. She reportedly told her husband she wanted Ryan to move out.
Police said Ryan Hanafin had left the home before officers arrived and fled in a black 2010 Dodge Charger. He was arrested in Vermont later that day.
During the investigation, authorities found 19 firearms in the bedroom where Hanafin had been living, prosecutors said. Ten firearms were registered in his name. He had a Massachusetts license to carry firearms, which was suspended following the incident.
Prosecutors also cited a Snapchat message Hanafin allegedly sent about the night of his mother’s death: “Told him I blew madre to pieces and he believed me.”
The charges against Hanafin remain allegations, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
