New Hampshire
Mom’s chilling final words to husband revealed before teen brother-in-law killed her, kids: docs
A New Hampshire mom sent her husband a message minutes before her teen brother-in-law allegedly shot her and her two young sons to death.
Prosecutors revealed 25-year-old Kassandra Sweeney’s final words to Sean Sweeney in court papers filed last week in the Aug. 3, 2022, triple murder in Northfield.
The couple exchanged Snapchat videos and messages, including of their young sons, Benjamin, 4, and 23-month-old Mason.
“I hope they make you laugh,” she wrote at 10:49 a.m., which investigators believe was her final message to Sean. Less than 10 minutes later, she and the boys were each dead from a single gunshot wound to the head.
The details were in a motion filed by the New Hampshire State Attorney’s Office asking that the 17-year-old accused killer, Eric Sweeney, continue to be held without bail, which a judge granted.
The 10-page document revealed more information about the horrific slayings than prosecutors or police have disclosed since Eric, then 16, was arrested the day of the crime.
Eric had been living with his older brother Sean, 26, and his family in their rural home in picturesque Merrimack County, but tensions began to mount.
Sean called the police in June and reported that his brother had stolen his Honda Civic.
He called again on July 22 and said that his brother was “making strange comments and had hidden multiple weapons around the home.”
He told officers he was “concerned for the safety of his small children,” according to the document.
The brothers were barely speaking, and Sean grew so worried he installed a lock on the door to his master bedroom.
He and his wife wanted Eric out of their home and had begun taking steps to have him removed, according to the filing.
On Aug. 3, Eric allegedly snapped. He removed one of Sean’s two guns, a .40 Taurus handgun, from a locked safe, then allegedly gunned down his nephews and sister-in-law in the kitchen of the three-bedroom home.
Prosecutors didn’t say in what order the victims were killed, but a witness heard the screams of children shortly before Eric fled the home, suggesting their mother was shot first.
Kassandra was struck once in her right eyebrow, and both boys were shot in the crown of their heads.
Sean, who drove an oil delivery truck at the time, was on his route when Eric called from Kassandra’s iPhone and claimed “someone broke in and killed them all.”
Shortly after police arrived, Sean pulled up, followed by Eric behind the wheel of Kassandra’s silver Ford F-150.
In an interview with investigators, Eric said he was in the basement when he heard something break, then a “deep, male voice yelling followed by multiple ‘pops.’”
He told police he crept upstairs and “stepped over Kassandra and Mason’s bodies” to exit the house, the motion says.
Although tree workers were at the end of the driveway, he didn’t ask them to call for help.
He allegedly tossed the weapon from the driver’s side window on I-93 before returning to the house, according to the Merrimack Superior Court filing.
A tree worker told police he heard “what he believed was screaming or yelling of young children” at the home shortly before he reported seeing Eric leave the property in Kassandra’s F-150.
He had to remove traffic cones placed at the end of the driveway to allow him to exit and saw him return in the same truck after police arrived, the document says.
Eric, who is being tried as an adult, has been indicted on three counts of first-degree murder and one count of falsifying physical evidence, according to court records.
NORTH WOODSTOCK, NH – The Ice Castles in North Woodstock, New Hampshire, are set to open this weekend, inviting visitors to enter a world of frosty enchantment.
Why are the Ice Castles blue?
With towering ice walls, sparkling tunnels and glowing sculptures, the Ice Castles are a true winter masterpiece. As crews put the finishing touches on the attraction ahead of Friday’s opening, this year marks one of the attraction’s earliest starts on record.
What makes New Hampshire’s Ice Castles unique is their distinct blue hue, a result of the pristine water sourced from nearby rivers. This natural element enhances the beauty of the castle, which gleams a cool blue under daylight. But it’s after dark when the castles truly transform, illuminated by thousands of LED lights embedded in the ice, creating a magical, glowing spectacle.
What does it take to build the Ice Castles?
Crafting this frozen wonder is no easy feat. The process begins as early as October, with a dedicated team of artists and builders meticulously constructing the castles by hand. They use millions of icicles grown and frozen on-site, working tirelessly to bring the vision to life.
“Mother Nature is 100% the main architect,” said Luke Ely, assistant manager for Ice Castles New Hampshire. “We pretty much do a dance with her the entire season to get what we have today.”
This year’s early-season cold weather provided an unexpected boost, allowing the team to get ahead of schedule for Friday’s opening.
Reflecting on the allure of ice, Ely added, “You don’t see it in this medium too much. Most of the time, winter is kind of like looked at as a harsh, negative, just-get-through-it kind of time time, and ice is the main factor in all that. And being able to do something with it that’s more beautiful and graceful, I thing, draws a lot folks.”
The Ice Castles in New Hampshire aim to remain open through April, weather permitting. Visitors are encouraged to experience this seasonal wonder before Mother Nature decides to reclaim her icy masterpiece.
Two people who were inside an ambulance had to be taken to the hospital when the emergency vehicle crashed Monday evening.
Firefighters responded to the crash on Old Candia Road just before 7:00 p.m.
First responders arrived to find that the driver of the ambulance was not responsive and another person inside the ambulance also needed medical treatment. Both were transported to the Elliot Hospital.
Candia firefighters say one occupant has been discharged from the emergency department while the other has been admitted to the hospital in stable condition.
An initial investigation determined the driver suffered a medical emergency while it was returning to the station, veered into the opposite lane of travel, hitting several small trees and a traffic sign before crashing into a water-filled ditch.
The ambulance passenger was able to exit the crashed vehicle and helped to treat the driver until additional medical units arrived on the scene.
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The world just shifted a little at the drop of the ball on January 1st. Did you feel it? Maybe not, but a new generation has clocked in for 2025.
New Hampshire is one of the best states to live in, one of the healthiest states in the country, and one of the best states to retire in, but what’s the future look like in the Granite State?
Move Over Gen Alpha
It’s not just New Hampshire hanging on to ways which define us as New Englanders, and a hearty bunch.
There are exciting new developments for the new year, including naming a new generation for those born in 2025 through 2039.
Welcome to the next generation, Generation Beta.
I don’t know who started naming generations, but the Baby Boomers are now old, and Gen Z’s are middle aged.
Millennials are having families, and Gen Xer’s are trying to figure out how they will ever buy their first house, and Gen Alpha are so tech-savvy it will be tough to catch up to them, until Gen Beta came along.
Read More: 5 Things Gen X Never Had to Worry About
The thought of having another generation of children is scary. Sorry, Gen Beta, but it’s true.
Parents Magazine once again informs us about what people think the future will be like for our new babies. A Prudential survey provides insight.
Here Are the Beta Baby Highlights
The survey says 86% believe the Gen Beta babies will have jobs which haven’t even been created yet.
60% think Beta kids won’t know how to use actual cash, so the government will stop printing it.
50% of respondents believe Gen Beta’s will cure cancer, and this generation will have fewer children, but more pets. Hmmm.
What do you think? Time will tell.
Meanwhile, Prudential is offering this for any baby born on January 1. 2025.
Get an Education at These 21 New Hampshire Colleges and Universities
Gallery Credit: Megan
Get an Education at These 21 New Hampshire Colleges and Universities
Gallery Credit: Megan
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