Ryan Hanafin, the 22-year-old Massachusetts man taken into custody in Vermont after his mother was found shot to death in the family’s Reading kitchen, has agreed to waive extradition and return to Massachusetts to face the case against him.
Hanafin’s mother, 49-year-old Andria Hanafin, was found dead by her husband, 48-year-old Matthew Hanafin, when he arrived home around 12:38 a.m. Thursday, according to Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan. The discovery set off an interstate search for Ryan Hanafin.
Vermont state troopers focused their search on Warren, Vermont, an area where Hanafin had known ties, watching for his black Dodge Charger. About two hours in, they located and arrested him without incident.
District Attorney Ryan told the court she had already been in contact with Massachusetts State Police and expected them to retrieve Hanafin “pretty quickly” once the extradition process concluded.
A Brief Hearing in Vermont
Hanafin appeared Friday afternoon by video, wearing a blue protective covering over his chest and shoulders, while the judge also joined remotely. Only attorneys and members of the media were present in the courtroom itself.
The judge explained Hanafin’s options, including the formal governor’s warrant process, in which Massachusetts’ governor would ask Vermont’s governor to surrender him — a process that can take time while paperwork is verified. Hanafin was also told he could file a habeas petition challenging the state’s authority to hold him.
“The most common basis for that might be that you were the wrong Ryan Hanafin,” the judge said, adding that waiving extradition would mean giving up both options.
Hanafin confirmed he understood, answering “Yes sir” to the judge’s questions. He said he had not taken any drugs and had no mental condition affecting his judgment, and that he had discussed the matter with his attorney and understood the advice given.
“Is it your voluntary choice to waive extradition and return to Massachusetts?” the judge asked.
“Yes, that’s what I’d like to do,” Hanafin replied.
The hearing lasted roughly four minutes. The judge scheduled a status conference for next Thursday to confirm that Massachusetts authorities have taken custody of Hanafin, saying the court would request an update if the transfer had not yet happened.
What’s Not Yet Known
It is not yet clear exactly when Hanafin will be transferred back to Massachusetts to face proceedings tied to his mother’s death in Reading. Reading police have so far described him as a person of interest rather than a suspect, and the specific felony charges referenced during Friday’s hearing have not been made public.
