Editor’s note: The following news releases have been issued by the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office about the shooting deaths of Lizette Eckert and James Eckert at 76 Dobbins Way, Alton on Friday. On Tuesday, March 19, the Attorney General’s Office said no further information will be released.
Tuesday, March 19 at 4:53 p.m. NH AG NEWS RELEASE: Updated Charges Filed in Alton, New Hampshire Incident
Concord, NH – Attorney General Gordon J. MacDonald, New Hampshire State Police Colonel Christopher J. Wagner, and Alton Police Chief Ryan L. Heath announce an additional charge in connection with the Alton, New Hampshire incident.
The juvenile has now been charged under New Hampshire’s juvenile laws with an additional count of second-degree murder in connection with the death of James Eckert.
New Hampshire law prohibits the release of any additional details, including documents filed in court, as described under RSA 169-B, since the alleged perpetrator is a juvenile.
The investigation into the deaths of Lizette and James Eckert remains active and ongoing.
No further information is expected to be released.
NH AG NEWS RELEASE: Autopsy Results for James Eckert
Release emailed to the press at 5:35 p.m. Monday, March 18
Concord, NH — Attorney General Gordon J. MacDonald, New Hampshire State Police Colonel Christopher J. Wagner, and Alton Police Chief Ryan L. Heath announce that the autopsy has been completed on James Eckert.
Chief Medical Examiner, Dr. Jennie V. Duval, has determined that the manner of Mr. Eckert’s death was homicide. The cause of Mr. Eckert’s death was a single gunshot wound to the head.
The investigation into the deaths of Lizette and James Eckert remains ongoing.
PREVIOUS NEWS RELEASES
UPDATE: At 5:13 p.m. on Saturday, March 16, the Attorney General’s Office announced that James Eckert died late Friday night.
Editor’s note: The following news releases were issued by the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office about the shooting death of Lizette Eckert and serious wounding of James Eckert at 76 Dobbins Way, Alton on Friday. One release says a juvenile was taken into custody at 9:30 a.m. on Friday. That information was made public at a news conference held at 7 p.m. and a news release issued at 8:51 p.m.
March 16, 5:13 p.m.
NH AG NEWS RELEASE: Autopsy Results and Death of James Eckert in the Alton Homicide
Concord, NH — Attorney General Gordon J. MacDonald, New Hampshire State Police Colonel Christopher J. Wagner, and Alton Police Chief Ryan L. Heath announce that the autopsy has been completed on Lizette Eckert, who was discovered deceased in Alton, New Hampshire on Friday, March 15, 2019.
Chief Medical Examiner, Dr. Jennie V. Duval, has determined that the manner of death was homicide. The cause of Ms. Eckert’s death was a single gunshot wound to the head.
James Eckert was pronounced deceased late Friday, March 15, 2019. The autopsy for Mr. Eckert is scheduled for Monday, March 18, 2019.
The investigation into the deaths of Lizette and James Eckert remains ongoing. No additional information is expected to be released today.
March 15, 8:51 p.m.
NH AG NEWS RELEASE: Additional Information Regarding the Alton, New Hampshire Incident
Concord, NH – Attorney General Gordon J. MacDonald, New Hampshire State Police Colonel Christopher J. Wagner, and Alton Police Chief Ryan L. Heath announce additional information released during a press conference on Friday, March 15, 2019 at the Alton Town Hall.
On Friday, March 15, 2019, at approximately 7:30 a.m., a 911 call was received reporting a shooting at 76 Dobbins Way in Alton, New Hampshire. Officers from the Alton Police Department responded to the residence.
An adult female, Lizette Eckert (age 50) who had suffered a gunshot wound was found deceased at the residence. An autopsy is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, March 16, 2019.
An adult male, James Eckert (age 48) was also found at the residence and had suffered gunshot wounds. He was transported to Portsmouth Regional Hospital and is in critical condition.
In addition to the officers from the Alton Police Department, the Belknap Regional Special Operations Group also responded to the scene where a search ensued in the area surrounding the residence for the assailant.
At approximately 9:30 a.m., a juvenile was taken into custody. That juvenile has since been charged under the juvenile laws with one count of second-degree murder and one count of attempted murder.
Since the alleged perpetrator is a juvenile, the law precludes any further information from being released.
Anyone with any additional information is asked to contact Detective Sergeant William Bright with the New Hampshire Police (603) 223-4381.
NH AG NEWS RELEASE: Media Availability Regarding Alton, New Hampshire Incident March 15, 6:07 p.m.
Concord, NH – Attorney General Gordon J. MacDonald, New Hampshire State Police Colonel Christopher J. Wagner, and Alton Police Chief Ryan L. Heath announce that a media availability will take place Friday, March 15, 2019 at 7 p.m. at the Alton Town Hall, 1 Monument Square in Alton, New Hampshire.
Concord, NH – Attorney General Gordon J. MacDonald, New Hampshire State Police Colonel Christopher J. Wagner, and Alton Police Chief Ryan L. Heath announce that officials are responding to an incident in Alton, New Hampshire.
March 15, 10:25 a.m.
UPDATED NH AG NEWS RELEASE: Alton, New Hampshire Incident
The investigation is in the early stages and is ongoing. However, it appears there is no threat to the general public at this time.
Additional information will be released as it becomes available.
March 15. 10:18 a.m.
NH AG NEWS RELEASE: Alton, New Hampshire Incident
Concord, NH – Attorney General Gordon J. MacDonald, New Hampshire State Police Colonel Christopher J. Wagner, and Alton Police Chief Jason A. Simmons announce that officials are responding to an incident in Alton, New Hampshire.
The investigation is in the early stages and is ongoing. However, it appears there is no threat to the general public at this time.
Additional information will be released as it becomes available.