Mother and baby found dead in Franklin, New Hampshire home; suspect found dead on riverbank
FRANKLIN, N.H. - A mother and her baby daughter were found shot to death in a Franklin, New Hampshire home and the suspect, the baby's father, was later found dead on the bank of the Merrimack River.
Assistant Attorney General Adam Woods said police were called to a home on Elkins Street at around noon Saturday after neighbors reported hearing gunshots. When police arrived at the home, they found Nicole Hughes and her 1-year-old daughter, Ariella Bell, dead from gunshot wounds. Hughes's 5-year-old daughter was also shot in the arm and was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Police identified 42-year-old Jamie Bell as a suspect. Woods said he and Hughes were "intimate partners" and parents to Ariella. After an intense, hours-long search, Bell was found dead on the bank of the Merrimack River in Franklin. An autopsy is being done but Woods said Bell likely died from a self-inflicted wound to his neck.
During the search, police warned residents to stay inside because Bell was believed to be armed and dangerous.
"Just made sure we locked up right away and kept the kids away from the windows and everyone," said neighbor Kimberly Michaels. "My heart goes out to the family."