Reading, Massachusetts — A 49-year-old mother of three was found shot to death inside her home, prompting an hours-long manhunt that ended when authorities arrested her 22-year-old son in Vermont, according to police.

Andria Hanafin was discovered inside the kitchen of her Reading home at approximately 12:38 a.m. Thursday, after her husband, Matthew Hanafin, returned from work and called 911. Police said she had suffered an apparent gunshot wound and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The investigation quickly expanded beyond Massachusetts after authorities discovered that the couple’s adult son, Ryan Hanafin, was missing along with his vehicle. Police later located the 22-year-old in Vermont, where he was taken into custody Thursday afternoon.

Husband Discovers Wife Inside Their Home

According to the Reading Police Department, Matthew Hanafin discovered his wife after arriving home from work shortly after midnight. Emergency responders were called, but Andria was pronounced dead at the scene.

Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan said the couple’s youngest child, a 13-year-old son, was inside the house at the time of the shooting.

The teenager reportedly told investigators that he had last seen his mother alive at approximately 5 p.m. Wednesday. He then went out with friends, returned home around 9 p.m. and went directly to his room.

Authorities have not publicly established the exact time of the shooting or explained what happened between the teenager’s last reported sighting of his mother and the discovery of her body.

The couple’s daughter, their third child, was away at college when the shooting occurred, police said.

Missing Son Becomes Focus of Manhunt

Investigators soon learned that Ryan Hanafin, 22, was missing from the household, along with his black 2010 Dodge Charger.

Authorities began searching for the young man as part of the homicide investigation, alerting law enforcement agencies to watch for him and the vehicle.

District Attorney Ryan said there had been no known prior police contact involving Ryan Hanafin before the deadly incident. Officials also said he had access to several firearms that he legally owned.

“We do know Ryan Hanafin has a license to carry, that was suspended this morning,” District Attorney Ryan said.

Authorities have not disclosed a motive for the killing. Officials also said Ryan Hanafin had no known mental health issues.

Investigators have not publicly explained what may have led to the shooting, and the allegations remain subject to the criminal justice process.

Arrest Made in Vermont After Police Alert

The search moved into Vermont after Massachusetts authorities contacted Vermont State Police on Thursday afternoon.

Investigators believed Ryan Hanafin had connections to the Warren, Vermont, area, located approximately 170 miles northwest of Reading.

At around 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Vermont State Police spotted the black Dodge Charger and pulled it over, bringing the manhunt to an end.

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Ryan Hanafin was taken into custody and charged with being a fugitive of justice. Vermont authorities said he was being held without bail at the Northeast Regional Correctional Facility. He was scheduled to be arraigned Friday afternoon.

The arrest marked a significant development in the investigation, although authorities had not publicly revealed a motive or provided a full account of the events leading to Andria Hanafin’s death.

Friends Remember Andria Hanafin

As investigators worked to establish what happened, friends remembered Andria Hanafin as a caring person whose sudden death had left her family and community devastated.

Family friend Heather Gagliardi described Hanafin’s kindness in a GiveSendGo fundraiser created in her memory.

“There are truly no words to describe the heartbreak of losing someone so suddenly and tragically. Our beautiful friend Andria was taken from this world far too soon, leaving behind her loving husband, family, and friends who loved her dearly,” Gagliardi wrote.

She continued:

“She had a heart of gold. She was the kind of person who would give you the shirt off her back without a second thought. She never wanted anyone to go without and was always looking for ways to help others, whether they were family, friends, or someone she had just met. Her kindness, and love for those around her were simply who she was,” Gagliardi added.

The tribute painted a picture of a woman remembered for putting others first and offering help whenever she could.

Investigation Continues as Family Mourns

The arrest has brought the search for Ryan Hanafin to an end, but questions surrounding his mother’s death remain.

Authorities have not publicly established a motive, and further details about the evidence collected at the home have not been released in the information provided by investigators.

For Andria Hanafin’s husband, children and friends, the case has brought an abrupt and devastating loss. Her three children are now facing the death of their mother while the criminal proceedings against her adult son move forward.

What stands out to you most about this case, and how can communities better support families dealing with sudden tragedy? Share your thoughts respectfully in the comments.