A 22-year-old man from Massachusetts has been arrested in Vermont after his mother was discovered deceased in her kitchen. Ryan Hanafin waived his extradition rights and has agreed to return to Massachusetts.
The incident unfolded when Matthew Hanafin, Ryan’s father, returned home around 12:38 a.m. and found his wife, Andria Hanafin, 49, fatally shot. This led to a significant manhunt for Ryan Hanafin across state lines, as reported by Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan.
During a virtual court hearing, where only lawyers and media were present in the courtroom, the local prosecutor indicated that Massachusetts State Police should be able to retrieve Ryan Hanafin “pretty quickly.” Hanafin, dressed in a blue protective cover, responded affirmatively when asked if he could hear the judge clearly.
The judge informed him of the felony charges he faces in Massachusetts and explained the extradition process, which could be lengthy if he chose to go through the formal governor’s warrant process. He also mentioned the option of filing a habeas petition to challenge his detention.
“You might argue that you’re not the right Ryan Hanafin,” the judge noted, to which Hanafin acknowledged that he understood. When asked about his mental state and drug use, he denied any issues that would impair his judgment.
After confirming he had consulted with his lawyer and understood the implications, the judge asked if he willingly wanted to waive extradition. “Yes, that’s what I’d like to do,” Hanafin replied. However, the timeline for his return to face charges in Reading remains unclear.
The judge scheduled a status conference for the following Thursday to check on the progress of Hanafin’s transfer to Massachusetts. The entire hearing lasted about four minutes.
Currently, police in Reading regard him as a person of interest but have not labeled him a suspect, nor have they disclosed the specific felony charges he faces. Vermont state troopers were initially searching for Hanafin’s vehicle, a black Dodge Charger, in Warren, Vermont. They successfully located and arrested him approximately two hours into their search without any complications.
