Julia Byrne, Blake Byrne Obituary, Death – Authorities are actively investigating a tragic case in Pembroke, New Hampshire, that may have been a murder-suicide involving a young mother and her toddler. The incident unfolded early Friday morning, leaving a community in shock and prompting a thorough law enforcement response to determine what exactly happened inside a home on Pembroke Hill Road.
At approximately 1 a.m. on Friday, local police received a 911 call that led officers to 336 Pembroke Hill Road. Upon arriving at the scene, responding officers encountered a resident who had placed the emergency call. That person guided police inside the home. According to a press release issued later in the day, officers proceeded to search the residence and made a grim discovery upon entering an upstairs bedroom.
Inside the bedroom, authorities found two individuals suffering from gunshot wounds: a 26-year-old woman and a 3-year-old child. They were later identified as Julia Byrne and her son, Blake Byrne. Emergency responders quickly transported Blake to Concord Hospital in an effort to save his life. Despite medical efforts, the young boy was pronounced dead at the hospital. Tragically, his mother, Julia Byrne, was declared dead at the scene.
The New Hampshire Medical Examiner’s Office later conducted autopsies on both victims to determine the cause and manner of death. The findings revealed that Julia Byrne died from a single gunshot wound to her head. As of Friday afternoon, the official manner of her death was still pending, meaning investigators had not yet conclusively labeled it as a homicide, suicide, or otherwise. However, the autopsy results for young Blake Byrne were more definitive: he also died of a single gunshot wound to the head, and his death has been officially classified as a homicide.
The residence in question, according to local property records, is owned by William Byrne. His relationship to the deceased has not been clarified by police, nor has his connection to the events of Friday morning. Investigators have not named any suspects or persons of interest beyond the ongoing theory that the case may involve a murder-suicide. They also have not disclosed the identity of the person who called 911.
As of late Friday afternoon, law enforcement officials stated they were still working to determine exactly what transpired in the home. “Authorities are still investigating this as a possible murder and suicide,” the press release noted, underlining the tentative nature of the findings so far. Police did not release any additional information and said no further statements would be made on Friday.
The community of Pembroke, a small town just outside Concord, has been left reeling from the news. Residents expressed shock and sadness upon learning that a mother and her child had died in such a violent and tragic way. While law enforcement has not confirmed any specific motive, the fact that the investigation includes the possibility of a murder-suicide has prompted serious concern over mental health, domestic violence, and access to firearms.
This incident adds to a troubling pattern of similar tragedies nationwide, where complex emotional, social, and psychological factors converge with lethal consequences. Local advocates and community members are urging those struggling with mental health issues to seek support and reminding the public about the importance of accessible intervention services.
Authorities have not indicated whether there were any prior incidents involving law enforcement at the address or any known history of domestic disputes involving the family. Likewise, it is unknown whether the firearm used in the incident was legally obtained, registered, or secured inside the home.
While the case is still under investigation, police and forensic teams are expected to continue their work through the weekend, gathering evidence and speaking with individuals who may have insights into the situation. It remains unclear how long the investigation will take before a definitive conclusion is reached about the manner of deaths.
The deaths of Julia and Blake Byrne have shaken the community and raised urgent questions about family well-being and the systems in place to detect and prevent such incidents before they occur. For now, the town of Pembroke mourns the loss of two lives taken under tragic circumstances, hoping that more answers will emerge in the coming days.
Anyone with information relevant to the investigation is encouraged to contact local law enforcement, though police have not formally requested public tips at this stage. The case remains an active and sensitive matter as investigators continue to piece together the events that led to this devastating outcome.