Teenager Sentenced for Murdering Brother's Family After Being Welcomed into Their Home

In October 2025, a New Hampshire teenager who murdered his brother's family after being welcomed into their home was sentenced for his crimes. Eric Sweeney, now 19 years old, was charged with three counts of first-degree murder in August 2022 after the bodies of his sister-in-law Kassandra Sweeney, 25, and her two sons, 4-year-old Benjamin and 23-month-old Mason, were found shot dead in their home.

At the time of the murders, Eric had been living with the family for three years after his older brother Sean took him in and agreed to serve as his legal guardian alongside Kassandra. However, the relationship had become strained, with Sean and Kassandra reportedly wanting Eric out of their home.

In a plea deal, Eric pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in August 2022, and on October 3, 2025, a judge sentenced him to serve 60 years to life in prison. The judge stated that Eric could be eligible for parole if he meets certain educational milestones and avoids major infractions during his incarceration.

The sentencing came after a long day of victim impact statements, during which friends and family of the victims spoke about the three lives lost. The defense had argued that Eric's difficult upbringing contributed to his actions, but the judge ultimately determined that the severity of the crimes warranted a lengthy sentence.