A woman has died after she was allegedly assaulted by her husband in their Newton, Massachusetts, home, Saturday night, just two days after a restraining order was issued by the court, officials said.
The Middlesex District Attorney and Newton Chief of Police confirmed Sunday that Richard Hanson, 64, of Newton, had been charged with assault with intent to murder and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury in connection with Nancy Hanson's death at their Brookline Street home.
The district attorney said a minor who was inside the home at the time of the assault called 911 to report what was happening. Newton police responded to the reported ongoing assault around 8:21 p.m. and found 54-year-old Nancy Hanson suffering from apparent blunt force injuries.
Nancy Hanson was taken to Brigham and Women's Hospital where she died from her injuries, officials said.
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If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline by calling 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), visiting www.thehotline.org or texting LOVEIS to 22522.
A preliminary investigation suggests there was a physical altercation during which Richard Hanson allegedly struck his wife with one or more objects multiple times, officials said.
Nancy Hanson's death has been ruled a homicide, and the cause of death was blunt force trauma.
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According to the district attorney, a restraining order had been issued against Richard Hanson in Newton District Court on July 13, and Newton police had been attempting to serve him with that in the two days following that led up to Nancy Hanson's death.
Richard Hanson was arrested following Saturday night's assault and he's being held without bail pending his arraignment Monday in Newton District Court. The DA said additional charges against him are expected. It wasn't immediately clear if he had obtained an attorney.
Officials did not identify the minor who called 911 to report the assault Saturday night, or release any information regarding the Hanson's children, but a spokesperson for the Department of Children and Families confirmed to NBC10 Boston that they have taken custody of the children who live in the home.
An investigation into this incident is active and ongoing.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline by calling 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), visiting www.thehotline.org or texting LOVEIS to 22522.
Newton Public Schools sent a message to families Sunday saying Nancy Hanson was the mother of three kids in the district.
Tom Morris, the principal of Memorial Spaulding Elementary School, said Nancy's Hanson's sons were all former students at the Newton elementary school.
Morris said he had a heavy heart sharing news of the death of a parent in the Newton school community and asked people to keep Nancy Hanson's children in their thoughts.
"As the situation unfolds, we will make you aware of any ways you can help to support the Hanson boys, but in the meantime, please hold all of the Hanson children in your thoughts as they navigate this most difficult time," he wrote.
Morris added that school officials are in close communication with the City of Newton Health and Human Services who are coordinating support for the children and family, as well as the community response to this tragedy.
"Events of this nature are upsetting and often difficult to process and understand. Please reach out to your support network and take care of yourselves," the principal wrote, adding that resources for anyone connected to the Hanson family and school community would be shared Monday.
Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller called Nancy Hanson's death "another horrific tragedy" in the city where people are still reeling after three people were murdered in a Broadway Street home just a few weeks ago.
"I know I speak for everyone in Newton when I say my heart goes out to the woman’s family and friends," Fuller wrote, noting Nancy Hanson appears to be the victim of domestic violence.
"Relationship violence is all too prevalent in our country and Newton is no exception," the mayor added.
Nancy Hanson's death comes less than a month after Jill and Bruno D'Amore and Jill's mother Lucia Arpino were fatally attacked inside another Newton home, ahead of the couple's 50th wedding anniversary, something the mayor commented on Sunday.
"I am writing this just three weeks after the tragic murders of Jill and Bruno D’Amore and Jill’s mother, Lucia Arpino. Our community is reeling, and I know so many of us are feeling unsettled," Fuller said. "This is the time to reach out to family, friends, faith leaders and mental health professionals rather than hunkering down and going it alone."
The mayor said she is working closely with Newton's police chief, superintendent, the Newton Police Department and the Middlesex County District Attorney's office, adding that they are all "committed, skilled, compassionate professionals" who have her full confidence.
