Son calls 911 after Massachusetts father allegedly assaulted wife to death

NEWTON – Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Newton Chief of Police John Carmichael have confirmed that Richard Hanson, 64 of Newton, has been charged with assault with intent to murder and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury in connection with allegedly fatally assaulting his wife in their Brookline Street home last night.

Yesterday, just after 8:15 p.m. a juvenile inside the home called 911 to report the ongoing assault. Upon arrival, police located 54-year-old Nancy Hanson suffering from apparent blunt force injuries. She was transported to Brigham and Women’s hospital where she died. The preliminary investigation suggests that during the physical altercation Richard Hanson allegedly struck his wife with one or more objects multiple times. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has ruled the death a homicide and the cause of death was blunt force trauma. We do anticipate additional charges.

On July 13, 2023, a restraining order was issued against Hanson in the Newton District Court, which the Newton Police had been attempting to serve. Hanson was charged last night and is being held without bail pending his arraignment tomorrow in Newton District Court.

This is an open and ongoing investigation being conducted by the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, Massachusetts State Police Detectives assigned to the District Attorney’s Office and Newton Police.