By Guy Page

A 22-year-old Massachusetts man sought in connection with a homicide investigation was arrested Thursday afternoon, October 8, by Vermont State Police near Sugarbush Resort in Warren.

Ryan Hanafin of Reading, Massachusetts, was taken into custody without incident at about 2:30 PM after state troopers spotted him driving on Vermont Route 100 south of the Sugarbush Access Road.

Hanafin had been sought by Massachusetts authorities following the shooting death of a 49-year-old woman, reportedly his mother Andria, 49, at a home on Center Avenue in Reading early Thursday morning.

According to Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Reading Police Chief David J. Clark, Reading police received a 911 call at about 12:38 AM reporting that a woman’s body had been discovered inside the residence.

Responding officers found the woman suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators determined that Hanafin, a member of the household, and his vehicle were missing. Massachusetts authorities issued an alert seeking Hanafin, who was believed to be driving a black 2010 Dodge Charger.

At about 12:15 PM Thursday, Massachusetts State Police notified Vermont authorities that Hanafin might be in Vermont.

Troopers from the Vermont State Police Berlin Barracks began searching the Warren area, where Hanafin was believed to frequent.

About two hours later, troopers located Hanafin driving on Route 100. With assistance from the Washington County Sheriff’s Department, they conducted a traffic stop and arrested him without incident.