Reading mother found dead, police searching for her son as person of interest

Police are searching for the older son, 22-year-old Ryan Hanafin in the death of his mother Andria Hanafin.NBC BostonShareAdd NBC News to GoogleOct. 8, 2026, 2:20 PM EDT / Source: NBC BostonBy Marc Fortier, NBC Boston and Thea DiGiammerino, NBC BostonA 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, Ryan said.

Reading police added that Ryan Hanafin is has a license to carry a gun, which was suspended Thursday morning. 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 they believe this is a case of domestic violence, though the exact circumstances are under investigation.

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 home with friends. When he returned home around 9 a.m., 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.

ShareAdd NBC News to GoogleMarc Fortier, NBC BostonMarc Fortier is a reporter for NBC Boston.

Thea DiGiammerino is a senior digital producer at NBC10 Boston and NECN.