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‘Perfect family’: Devastated friend remembers Mass. couple, 2 daughters found dead in NH home

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‘Perfect family’: Devastated friend remembers Mass. couple, 2 daughters found dead in NH home


Investigators on Friday identified a Massachusetts couple and their two daughters as the victims of suspected carbon monoxide poisoning after they were found dead inside their New Hampshire vacation home on Christmas Day.

The bodies of Matthew Goldstein, 52, an elementary school teacher in Brookline, and his wife Lyla Goldstein, 54, a project manager at Microsoft, were found by officers conducting a wellness check at 2962 Province Lake Road in Wakefield, New Hampshire, just before 4:30 p.m. on Christmas.

Their daughters, Valerie Goldstein, 22, who was also a teacher, and Violet Goldstein, 19, a college student, also died in the accident.

The family lived in Newton, Massachusetts, and were visiting New Hampshire for the holidays, according to New Hampshire Fire Marshal Sean Toomey.

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‘Tragic’: State fire marshal answers questions after Mass. family found dead in NH vacation home

Toomey said investigators haven’t yet figured out what caused the apparent leak of carbon monoxide from the propane gas heating system, also noting that there were no carbon monoxide alarms found in the home.

The family was expected to attend a holiday event before their deaths. Toomey said three victims were found in a bedroom and one in a bathroom.

“When they did not show up at the event, family members contacted local authorities and requested a welfare check, ultimately leading to the discovery of the victims,” Toomey said. “Additionally, no working carbon monoxide alarms have been found in the home.”

A house in Wakefield, N.H., where a family of four died from suspected carbon monoxide poisoning on Christmas Day, is shown on Friday, Dec. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Nick Perry)

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Brookline Public Schools Superintendent Linus Guillory confirmed that Matthew Goldstein was a teacher in town.

“We are deeply heartbroken to learn of the passing of Mr. Matt Goldstein, an exceptional educator and a beloved member of our PSB and Baker School Community,” Guillory said in a statement. “Mr. Goldstein’s dedication to inspiring students and shaping young minds has left an indelible mark on all who had the privilege of knowing him.”

The Edith C. Baker School where Goldstein worked serves the Chestnut Hill and South Brookline neighborhoods of Brookline and is one of the largest elementary schools in the town.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, colleagues, and students during this profoundly difficult time,” Guillory added. “We are committed to providing the support and resources needed for the Baker School Community as we grieve this tremendous loss together.”

Baker School Principal Saeed Ola said educators are assembling a support plan for students and staff.

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“Tragic news like this is difficult to process, and we know that our entire school community will need support during this challenging time,” Ola said in a statement. “To this end, we are working closely with our school-based and district-level clinicians along with district-level staff to develop a support plan for our students and staff. In the meantime, we encourage you to reach out if you have any immediate concerns or need assistance.”

In a statement, Rhode Island School of Design President Crystal Williams said that Violet was a first-year student at the school.

“This is an unimaginable loss for Violet’s loved ones, friends, faculty, peers, and all of us in the RISD community, and we are currently reaching out to Violet’s closest friends,” President Williams said. “As we process and mourn this tragedy, please take comfort in your loved ones and keep Violet and her family in your thoughts.”

School officials say although the college is closed for winter break, counseling, and psychological services will still be available for students and faculty who feel they need help processing the loss.

“I know that you join me in feeling utter heartbreak at the loss of such a promising young member of our community, along with her family, on what should have been a joyous occasion,” she said.

Friends of the Goldstein family laid flowers at their Margaret Road home in Newton, where family friend Jesse King said Valerie’s 22nd birthday party was scheduled for Friday night.

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“It shows how powerful their love really was,” King said. “The family was a perfect example of what a family should be like. The family was super close to each other. They did themed Halloween costumes it was really cute.”

King was particularly close with Valerie during high school.

“She was love personified,” he explained. “She was everybody’s friend.”

A GoFundMe has been set up to raise money for a memorial bench plaque at the Baker School. If you’d like to donate, you can click here.

Anyone with information for investigators is encouraged to call the New Hampshire State Fire Marshal’s Office at 603-223-4289 or fmo@dos.nh.gov.

Wakefield is a small town in the Lakes Region, east of Lake Winnipesaukee. The town’s population was 5,201 at the 2020 census.

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Walk Through 3 Million Incredible Lights at New England’s Largest Holiday Light Show

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Walk Through 3 Million Incredible Lights at New England’s Largest Holiday Light Show


Have you heard of Holly Jolly Journey in Litchfield, New Hampshire?

It’s touted as “New England’s largest and most spectacular holiday light show,” and it’s just one more incredible event you should check out this Christmas season.

According to its website, Holly Jolly Journey has added a million lights for this recent season, meaning there are now over 3 million dazzling lights you can take in while walking through.

What Is Holly Jolly Journey in Litchfield, New Hampshire?

Located at Mel’s Funway Park in Litchfield, Holly Jolly Journey is a walk-through Christmas light event that spans over 2/3 of a mile and features some incredible displays all along the way.

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Some of the spectacular things you can see include Santa’s Workshop, Candy Cane Lane, Twinkly Tunnel and Teddy’s Christmas Corner, among others.

The walk is truly mesmerizingly festive.

The Holly Jolly Journey website also notes some new stuff for the 2025/26 season, including additions to almost every scene along the walk, more trees lit, more food and drink stations, a new 28-foot centerpiece, and a new indoor party suite.

When is the Holly Jolly Journey in Litchfield, New Hampshire?

According to its website, the Holly Jolly Journey takes place from the day after Thanksgiving through January 11. It is closed on Christmas Eve.

There are multiple time slots to choose from, starting at 4:30 p.m. and with the last time slot of the day being at 10 p.m. (for those late-night holiday owls).

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It should take about an hour to complete, but you can take as long as you’d like.

READ MORE: New Hampshire’s Dazzling 2-Mile Holiday Drive-Thru With 3 Million Lights Returns for 2025

Have you decided which holiday experience you should do this season? You certainly don’t have to limit yourself to one, and Holly Jolly Journey is one you might want to consider. With over 3 million lights and incredible displays on a festive walk perfect for the family, you’ll be soaking up the sparkle of Christmas in the best way possible.

You’ll also have so many Instagram-worthy pics with that glowing backdrop!

25 New Hampshire Towns That Would Be Perfect for a Christmas Movie

Gallery Credit: Kira

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New England’s Top Christmas Towns Are Perfect for a Magical Winter Getaway

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New Hampshire woman arrested after high-speed chase ends in crash

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New Hampshire woman arrested after high-speed chase ends in crash


DOVER, New Hampshire (WGME) — A New Hampshire woman is facing charges after reportedly speeding more than 100 miles per hour during a police chase.

New Hampshire State Police say it happened Saturday night on Route 16 in Dover.

Troopers say they tried to pull over the driver, Stephanie Dupont, but she took off at high speed.

Troopers say they followed her to Exit 3, where she veered off the road.

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After the crash, they say she jumped out of the car and tried to flee on foot.

An off-duty officer from Ogunquit happened to be near by and was able to stop her.

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Officials say Dupont suffered non-life-threatening injuries in the crash.

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Judge strikes down challenge to NH absentee voting law

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Judge strikes down challenge to NH absentee voting law


A superior court judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by a group of visually impaired New Hampshire voters who argued a newly passed absentee voter law violates the state constitution.

In a lawsuit filed this summer, the plaintiffs alleged the measure, which was backed by state Republicans, places a disproportionate burden on people with disabilities by making it harder to vote.

On Friday, New Hampshire Superior Court Judge David Ruoff dismissed the case, ruling that the new policies are reasonable.

The new law requires people requesting an absentee ballot to prove their identity in one of three ways: either mail in a photocopy of an ID, along with their ballot application; have their ballot application notarized; or show an ID at town hall prior to an election.

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In his opinion, Ruoff said, “The identification requirements impose ordinary burdens on all absentee voters, and the possibility that it may cause additional burden on a subset of absentee voters does not render the entire statute unconstitutional.”

It isn’t clear if the plaintiffs will appeal the ruling to the New Hampshire Supreme Court.

“We appreciate the Court’s recognition that the identification requirements for absentee voters are reasonable, constitutional, and consistent with New Hampshire’s long-standing election practices,” said New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella, who defended the law in court.

New Hampshire residents who vote in person are already required to show an ID at the polls when requesting a ballot. Supporters of the new law say the same safeguards should be in place for those voters who request an absentee ballot.

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