Thornton, NH, Logan Anderson, 18, Shoots Dead Sister Leah, 21, a Future Teacher

A 21-year-old Plymouth State University student has died after being shot in the head at a home in Thornton, New Hampshire, and her younger brother has been taken into custody in connection with her death, authorities confirmed Monday.

Leah Anderson was found suffering from a gunshot wound to the head after police responded to a 911 call about a shooting on Mad River Road at approximately 8:20 in the morning.

Officers from the New Hampshire State Police Major Crime Unit, along with Thornton and Campton police, arrived at the scene and found Leah in critical condition. She was rushed to a nearby hospital, where she later died from her injuries.

Bronx Man, 23, Fatally Shot Multiple Times on East 207th Street in Norwood

Her brother, Logan Anderson, 18, was arrested and charged with one count of second-degree murder for knowingly causing his sister’s death. He is scheduled to be arraigned on Tuesday at a court in Plymouth.

Authorities have not yet disclosed whether Logan has legal representation. An autopsy has also been scheduled for Tuesday to formally determine the cause and manner of death.

A Community Left in Shock

Thornton is a quiet White Mountains community of roughly 2,700 residents situated along Interstate 93, north of Plymouth.

Neighbors who spoke to local media said they had no indication anything was wrong until police vehicles began arriving at the property. One neighbor, Karl Bewersdorf, described the family as friendly and well-regarded in the area.

“I’ve dealt with them before,” Bewersdorf said. “They’re very nice people, a nice family and interesting. I hope everyone’s OK at the end of the day.”

The peacefulness of the neighborhood made the news all the more jarring for those living nearby. No one reported hearing gunshots or noticing anything out of the ordinary before law enforcement descended on Mad River Road that Monday morning.

A Life Cut Short

Leah Anderson had been a student at Plymouth State University, where she was majoring in Elementary Education and Youth Development.

Those who knew her through the university have now been left to grapple with the sudden and violent loss of a young woman who was working toward a career helping children learn and grow.

The New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office is leading the investigation alongside state police detectives.

Officials have confirmed the investigation remains ongoing but have not shared details about what may have led up to the shooting or the events that unfolded inside the home that morning.

The case has drawn widespread attention across New Hampshire and neighboring states, with multiple regional news outlets covering developments as they emerge.

The charge of second-degree murder indicates prosecutors believe the killing was carried out knowingly, though not necessarily with the degree of premeditation that would elevate it to a first-degree charge under New Hampshire law.

As the community mourns, Plymouth State University has not yet released a formal public statement regarding the loss of one of its students. Further details are expected to emerge following Tuesday’s arraignment and the results of the scheduled autopsy.