Concord, NH – New Hampshire Deputy Attorney General Jane E. Young, Derry Police Chief Edward B. Garone, and State Fire Marshal Paul J. Parisi announce that additional information is available regarding the ongoing investigation into the fire and suspicious death of a woman on Mt. Pleasant Street in Derry.

On April 4, 2021, at approximately 10:05 p.m., the Derry Police Department and the Derry Fire Department were dispatched to 27 Mt. Pleasant Street for a reported structure fire. Gunshots were reportedly heard before the residence became engulfed in flames.

When first responders arrived, the residence was actively burning. Several Derry Police Officers attempted to force entry into the residence to assist any occupants. Three Derry Police Officers eventually gained entry, located an unconscious and injured man on the kitchen floor, and dragged the unconscious man from the residence. Due to smoke and fire conditions, Derry Police Officers were unable to re-enter the residence. The Derry Fire Department ultimately extinguished the fire and located a deceased woman inside the residence.

At this time, the unconscious man is believed to be the home owner, Manoel Viana (age 57). The deceased woman is believed to be his spouse, Lynn Marie Viana (age 53), formerly of Derry. Mr. Viana is currently being treated for life-threatening injuries at a Boston hospital. Ms. Viana was pronounced dead at the scene. An autopsy will be scheduled to determine the cause and manner of her death.

In extricating Mr. Viana from the residence, three Derry Police Officers, Officer Nathan Lavoie, Officer Collin Kennedy, and Officer Nikita Tomnyuk, sustained non-life-threatening injuries. All three Officers received medical treatment and have been released from the hospital. The Officers are expected to return to work as scheduled.

If you have any information regarding the whereabouts or activities of Manoel Viana on April 4, 2021, or if you live in the neighborhood of 27 Mt. Pleasant Street, Derry, New Hampshire and have any electronic recording device, such as security cameras or digital recording doorbells, which may have captured this incident or any precipitating events, you are asked to please call Lieutenant Jon Breen of the Derry Police Department at (603) 432-6111.

This is an active and ongoing investigation. As previously disclosed, there is no ongoing threat to the general public stemming from this incident. An update will be provided once Ms. Viana's autopsy is scheduled.