The animals were removed from Andria Hanafin’s home as her son faces a first-degree murder charge in her fatal shooting.
READING, Mass. — Eighty-four cats removed from the home of a Massachusetts woman found fatally shot are now being cared for by an animal welfare organization as her community mourns her death and her 22-year-old son faces a first-degree murder charge.
MSPCA-Angell said it took custody of the cats from the Reading home where 49-year-old Andria Hanafin was found dead early Oct. 8. Hanafin worked at a veterinary clinic and fostered cats, according to accounts presented in court and people who knew her. Her son, Ryan Hanafin, has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and other charges after prosecutors accused him of shooting her and leaving Massachusetts.
The unusually large group of cats became part of the case because prosecutors say the number of animals in the family home had been a source of conflict between mother and son. Andria Hanafin’s husband told investigators that she had recently argued with their eldest son about the cats and wanted him to move out. Authorities have not established at trial that the dispute over the animals was the sole motive for the killing.
MSPCA-Angell said the cats have a range of medical needs and that those requiring treatment will receive it before they are made available for adoption. Some could become eligible for new homes relatively quickly, while others may need to stay in the organization’s care for an indefinite period. The influx placed additional demands on shelters that were already caring for other animals.
Chris Schindler, the organization’s director of law enforcement, said after the animals were removed that the immediate focus was on providing the care they needed. The organization said the case also reflected the difficulties that can arise when foster-based rescue efforts grow beyond the resources available in a household. The cats’ removal came as investigators continued examining the circumstances surrounding Hanafin’s death.
Police were called to the Center Avenue home at about 12:38 a.m. Oct. 8 after Andria Hanafin’s husband returned from work and found her dead in the kitchen. The couple’s younger son was also at the home and was unharmed. Ryan Hanafin and his vehicle were missing when officers arrived, according to investigators. Vermont State Police later located him after authorities said he traveled north from Massachusetts.
Prosecutors allege that tension in the household extended beyond the cats. Court accounts say Ryan Hanafin’s parents had also raised concerns about his employment and living situation. Prosecutors said his mother had told a friend that she was afraid of him because of his access to firearms. Investigators later reported finding 19 firearms in his bedroom, leading to additional weapons-related charges alongside the murder case.
As the criminal investigation moved into court, Reading residents also gathered to remember Andria Hanafin. The town announced a candlelight vigil at Memorial Park for Oct. 14, describing it as an opportunity for the community to honor a neighbor whose life had been lost. More than 100 people attended, according to local reporting. The gathering took place one day before Ryan Hanafin was arraigned in Massachusetts.
A not-guilty plea was entered on Hanafin’s behalf Oct. 15 in Woburn District Court. He was ordered held without bail on the murder charge. Prosecutors have also accused him of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and firearms offenses. Those accusations remain allegations, and Hanafin has not been convicted in connection with his mother’s death.
The two immediate consequences of the case are now unfolding on separate tracks: Hanafin is due back in court Nov. 10, while MSPCA-Angell continues evaluating and caring for the 84 cats removed from the family home. Some animals may eventually be placed for adoption, while others will remain in shelter care until their medical and behavioral needs can be addressed.
Author note: Last updated October 19, 2026.