Authorities say a New Hampshire father was discovered dead by apparent suicide on Saturday after killing his 18-month-old daughter and her mother.
Saturday afternoon, 42-year-old Jamie Bell was seen fleeing a Franklin residence, according to Assistant Attorney General Adam Woods’ evening news conference. Neighbors reported hearing gunfire.
According to Woods, Nicole Hughes, 35, and Ariella Bell, her daughter with Jamie Bell, had been shot to death.
Woods stated that Hughes’ 5-year-old daughter from a previous relationship had a gunshot wound to her arm and a laceration on her back. She was transported to a Massachusetts hospital. It was determined that her injuries were not life-threatening.
The police spent several hours scouring on foot and by helicopter for Bell, who was initially identified as a person of interest. According to the attorney general’s office, he was armed and menacing. Bell was discovered deceased near River Road and the Merrimack River around 5:30 p.m.
Sunday, autopsies of Bell, Hughes, and their daughter were planned.
Franklin is approximately 20 miles north of Concord, the capital of New Hampshire.
