Investigators have released the identities of a Troy woman and her 8-year-old son who are believed to have been killed by her husband, who was later shot and killed by police Thursday on the Piscataqua River Bridge.New Hampshire officials said an autopsy determined that Brittany Weston, 37, of Troy, died of multiple gunshot wounds to her head, and her death was ruled a homicide.Police said her husband, Trent Weston, 37, called 911 early Thursday morning and told dispatchers in York, Maine, that he had killed his wife after an argument. Police found Brittany Weston's body in the family's Monadnock Street home."He had notified 911 that he had shot his wife, and when law enforcement arrived, they discovered Brittany inside," said Assistant Attorney General Nicholas Chong Yen.Maine police were able to locate Trent Weston's car on the I-95 bridge between Portsmouth and Kittery. The highway was shut down, and New Hampshire and Maine police attempted to negotiate with him for hours.>> Download the free WMUR app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play <<Maine State Police said Trent Weston eventually left his car and raised a firearm. Two New Hampshire state troopers and a Maine state trooper fired at him, killing him.An autopsy conducted in Maine determined that Trent Weston died of multiple gunshot wounds.Police said the body of the couple's 8-year-old son, Benson, was then found in the car. An autopsy determined that he died of multiple gunshot wounds.Maine State Police Col. Bill Ross said Thursday that the boy's death had nothing to do with the officers' use of deadly force. New Hampshire officials said all evidence indicates that Trent Weston was responsible for the deaths of Brittany and Benson Weston.Law enforcement analyst Richard Mello said investigators in Maine and New Hampshire will be working together, relying on both physical and digital evidence to investigate the shooting deaths of Brittany Weston, Trent Weston and their son Benson."It's a complicated case, and unfortunately, it doesn't appear at this point that anybody is alive to tell you this story," Mello said. "Both agencies are going to want to know whether or not their troopers followed their own policies and state law."Authorities said the investigation into the deaths is ongoing."We're trying to learn what happened inside the residence, what happened afterwards, and what lead up to the events on the bridge," Chong Yen said.Domestic violence advocates said the case is the latest in a disturbing trend. They said that with the exception of police shootings, every homicide in New Hampshire this year has been a case of suspected domestic violence. Advocates urged anyone who needs help to call the state domestic violence hotline at 1-866-644-3574."The person who answers that call will connect you with a confidential advocate in your area," said Alyssa Dandrea, of the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence. "That person can help you with safety planning, with court accompaniment, with applying for a restraining order, with housing and whatever other supports you might need at that time."The state troopers who shot and killed Trent Weston are on paid administrative leave.
MANCHESTER, N.H. —
Investigators have released the identities of a Troy woman and her 8-year-old son who are believed to have been killed by her husband, who was later shot and killed by police Thursday on the Piscataqua River Bridge.
New Hampshire officials said an autopsy determined that Brittany Weston, 37, of Troy, died of multiple gunshot wounds to her head, and her death was ruled a homicide.
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Police said her husband, Trent Weston, 37, called 911 early Thursday morning and told dispatchers in York, Maine, that he had killed his wife after an argument. Police found Brittany Weston's body in the family's Monadnock Street home.
"He had notified 911 that he had shot his wife, and when law enforcement arrived, they discovered Brittany inside," said Assistant Attorney General Nicholas Chong Yen.
Maine police were able to locate Trent Weston's car on the I-95 bridge between Portsmouth and Kittery. The highway was shut down, and New Hampshire and Maine police attempted to negotiate with him for hours.
>> Download the free WMUR app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play <<
Maine State Police said Trent Weston eventually left his car and raised a firearm. Two New Hampshire state troopers and a Maine state trooper fired at him, killing him.
An autopsy conducted in Maine determined that Trent Weston died of multiple gunshot wounds.
Police said the body of the couple's 8-year-old son, Benson, was then found in the car. An autopsy determined that he died of multiple gunshot wounds.
Maine State Police Col. Bill Ross said Thursday that the boy's death had nothing to do with the officers' use of deadly force. New Hampshire officials said all evidence indicates that Trent Weston was responsible for the deaths of Brittany and Benson Weston.
Law enforcement analyst Richard Mello said investigators in Maine and New Hampshire will be working together, relying on both physical and digital evidence to investigate the shooting deaths of Brittany Weston, Trent Weston and their son Benson.
"It's a complicated case, and unfortunately, it doesn't appear at this point that anybody is alive to tell you this story," Mello said. "Both agencies are going to want to know whether or not their troopers followed their own policies and state law."
Authorities said the investigation into the deaths is ongoing.
"We're trying to learn what happened inside the residence, what happened afterwards, and what lead up to the events on the bridge," Chong Yen said.
Domestic violence advocates said the case is the latest in a disturbing trend. They said that with the exception of police shootings, every homicide in New Hampshire this year has been a case of suspected domestic violence.
Advocates urged anyone who needs help to call the state domestic violence hotline at 1-866-644-3574.
"The person who answers that call will connect you with a confidential advocate in your area," said Alyssa Dandrea, of the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence. "That person can help you with safety planning, with court accompaniment, with applying for a restraining order, with housing and whatever other supports you might need at that time."
The state troopers who shot and killed Trent Weston are on paid administrative leave.
