Ryan Hanafin was located in Vermont after authorities spent Thursday searching for him as a person of interest in his mother’s death.
READING, Mass. — A 22-year-old man sought as a person of interest after his mother was found fatally shot inside their Reading home was taken into custody Thursday in Vermont, ending a search that prompted warnings from police and heightened security around the Massachusetts community.
Ryan Hanafin was located and taken into custody by Vermont State Police, according to Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Reading Police Chief David J. Clark. The officials said there was no longer a risk to the public and that additional information about his apprehension and any court proceedings would be released later. Authorities had not announced criminal charges against Hanafin as of Thursday afternoon.
The search began after Andria Hanafin, 49, was found dead in the kitchen of the family’s Center Avenue home. Her husband, Matthew Hanafin, discovered her after returning from work and called 911 at about 12:38 a.m. Thursday, authorities said. Officers responding to the home found her with an apparent gunshot wound, and she was pronounced dead at the scene.
At a morning news conference, authorities identified Ryan Hanafin as a person of interest and warned that he could be armed. Police said he had a license to carry firearms and that guns were registered in his name. Reading police suspended the license Thursday morning. Authorities also said at that time that the firearm involved in Andria Hanafin’s death had not been located.
Investigators were searching for both Hanafin and his black 2010 Dodge Charger. The car had last been seen traveling on Interstate 93 in the Tewksbury area at about 7:25 p.m. Wednesday, authorities said. Officials said Thursday morning that they did not know where Hanafin was headed. He was later taken into custody in Vermont.
Authorities have not released a complete account of what happened inside the Reading home. District Attorney Ryan said investigators were examining an alleged dispute and described the case as an apparent domestic violence situation, while noting that it did not fit the circumstances people may commonly associate with domestic violence. She did not provide details about the dispute or identify a motive.
Members of the household gave investigators information about the family’s movements Wednesday. The couple’s 13-year-old son told authorities he last saw his mother at about 5 p.m. before leaving with friends and returned around 9 p.m. He went directly to his room and did not see his mother after returning, Ryan said. The family’s daughter was away at college. Matthew Hanafin told investigators he had not spoken with Ryan Hanafin since Wednesday morning.
Police said they had found no significant history of calls to the family home. Reading Police Chief David J. Clark said investigators were working to determine what happened there and sought to prevent any additional danger while Hanafin remained unaccounted for. The search prompted a large police presence around the neighborhood and additional precautions at local schools.
Reading Public Schools continued classes Thursday while police increased patrols and maintained a presence around school buildings. Elementary schools kept students indoors for recess during the search. Those measures came while authorities were warning residents not to approach Hanafin if they encountered him.
Authorities have not publicly announced charges or detailed the circumstances of Hanafin’s detention in Vermont. Investigators from Reading police, the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office and Massachusetts State Police continue to investigate Andria Hanafin’s death. Officials said more information about the apprehension and possible court proceedings was forthcoming.
Author note: Last updated October 8, 2026.