Alisha Cruz was a 35-year-old woman and mother living in Manchester, New Hampshire. According to her sister, Alisha was planning to leave her husband and start a new chapter in her life. In the early hours of October 27, 2026, she texted her sister, "I'm out of here. I'm leaving him." Hours later, Alisha’s life was tragically cut short in an act of domestic violence that also wounded her young son.
The morning of Tuesday, October 27, 2026, unfolded grimly on a quiet residential street.
At approximately 9:34 a.m., Manchester Police were dispatched to 59 Wheelock Street, a multi-family home in the Piscataquog neighborhood, for a well-being check. A family member had called 911 to report a potential domestic dispute, expressing concern for the three residents of the home. A neighbor later recalled hearing loud booms, like "Boom. Boom. Boom," at around 3:30 that morning.
Upon entering the residence, officers discovered a horrific scene. Inside a bedroom, they found Alisha Cruz and her 36-year-old husband, Bianchinies Cruz, deceased. Their 8-year-old son was found alive in an adjoining bedroom, suffering from a gunshot wound to his torso. The boy was conscious and alert when first responders arrived. An officer was seen carrying the child out of the house to safety. He was rushed to a regional trauma center and later flown to a hospital in Boston, where he was listed in stable condition.
The investigation was handled by the New Hampshire Attorney General's Office and the Manchester Police Department. The state's Office of the Chief Medical Examiner conducted autopsies the following day. The results determined that Alisha Cruz died from multiple gunshot wounds, and her manner of death was ruled a homicide. Bianchinies Cruz died from a single, self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, and his death was ruled a suicide.
Investigators concluded that in the early morning hours, Bianchinies Cruz shot and killed Alisha. During the shooting, multiple bullets traveled through a wall into the next bedroom, where one of the rounds struck their son. After killing his wife, Bianchinies turned the gun on himself. Authorities quickly assured the public that it was an isolated incident and there was no ongoing threat. Senior Assistant Attorney General Alex Kellermann noted that the 911 call from the concerned family member was crucial in getting the child the lifesaving treatment he needed.
The violent deaths shocked the West Side Manchester community. Neighbors expressed their sorrow and disbelief, with their primary concern being for the little boy who survived the tragedy. "No kid should ever, ever see anything like that," one neighbor told reporters. "That's where my heart breaks." Another neighbor, Peter Raby, said his thoughts were with the boy and that he hoped he would be okay. Mary McLaughlin, who also lived nearby, expressed deep sadness for the child, stating, "He has to live with this the rest of his life now."
As of late October 2026, the investigation into the specific motive was ongoing, with authorities gathering information from friends, family, and neighbors to piece together what led to the murder-suicide. The case was officially closed with the death of the primary suspect, Bianchinies Cruz. No arrests were made, and no further legal proceedings were expected.
