New HampshireDepartment of JusticeOffice of the Attorney General

News Release

For Immediate Release
February 19, 2024

Contact:
Michael S. Garrity, Director of Communications
michael.s.garrity@doj.nh.gov | (603) 931-9375

Bethany J. Durand, Assistant Attorney General
Bethany.J.Durand@doj.nh.gov | (603) 271-3671

Autopsy Results in Investigation into Salem, NH Suspicious Deaths

Salem, NH – Attorney General John M. Formella and Salem, New Hampshire Police Chief Joel Dolan announce that autopsies have been completed on the bodies of Jennifer L. Barrett (age 47) and Charles W. Molinari (age 41), who died on Bodwell Avenue in Salem, New Hampshire on February 17, 2024.

The autopsies were conducted by Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Jennie Duval. Dr. Duval determined that the cause of Ms. Barrett’s death was a gunshot wound to the head, and that the manner of her death was homicide. Dr. Duval determined that the cause of Mr. Molinari’s death was a single self-inflicted gunshot wound and that the manner of his death was suicide.

Although the investigation into the circumstances surrounding this incident remains active and ongoing, based on evidence gathered to date authorities are investigating this as a possible murder-suicide in which Mr. Molinari fatally shot Ms. Barrett before taking his own life.

No additional information is expected to be released at this time.

New Hampshire Department of Justice
1 Granite Place South | Concord, NH | 03301
Telephone: 603-271-3658