Local News

Missing N.H. children located safely after woman found dead; father in custody

After police found Caitlyn Naffziger dead in a Berlin, New Hampshire apartment Thursday night, they issued an Amber Alert for Elowyn and Vaelyn Duren.

Authorities are searching for two young children who may be in danger with their father. National Center for Missing and Exploited Children

By Ross Cristantiello

updated on March 1, 2024

2 minutes to read

Update:

The Amber Alert for Elowyn and Vaelyn Duren was canceled Friday morning, New Hampshire State Police said on social media around 10:30 a.m. The children were safely located.

In a follow-up post, Massachusetts State Police said that the suspect, Dustin Mark Duren, was in custody in Keene, New Hampshire.

According to officials, this morning citizens saw Duren’s vehicle outside an Applebee’s restaurant on Key Road in Keene, New Hampshire, and called police. All three individuals were found safely.

According to the Associated Press, witness Rick Fuller said he saw about five local police cars and a state trooper converge on a white car in the parking lot of the restaurant between 10 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

Fuller, who owns Rick’s Gourmet Ice Cream store across the street, said there were no sirens and the event seemed relatively low key and controlled. He saw only two officers draw their weapons while others did not.

Fuller said his view was partially obscured, but he saw one officer holding a small girl and then a woman came over and put two blankets on her. He said an ambulance also showed up.

According to the Attorney General’s office, Duren has been charged with second-degree murder for knowingly causing Caitlyn Naffziger’s death by shooting her. Duren is scheduled to be arraigned in First Circuit Court-District Division in Berlin on Monday, March 4.

Officials said Naffziger was killed by a single gunshot to the head.

Initial story below:

An Amber Alert was issued Friday for two young children after a woman was found dead in a Berlin, New Hampshire, apartment. The children were last seen with their biological father, and authorities are warning that he may be armed and dangerous.

The last known location of Elowyn Duren, 4, Vaelyn Duren, 1, and their father, Dustin Mark Duren, was in Concord, New Hampshire, on Thursday at about 10 p.m., officials said.

At about 10:30 p.m., police responded to an apartment at 1063 Main St. in Berlin. There they discovered the body of Caitlyn Naffziger, according to Attorney General John Formella’s office. Naffziger was 31, and would have turned 32 on March 10.

New Hampshire State Police authorized an activation of the Amber Alert System at the request of the Berlin Police Department. It was issued as part of the investigation into Naffziger’s death. Officials did not specify the relationship between Naffziger and the children. An autopsy was scheduled for Friday afternoon.

The children’s father was operating a white 2017 Subaru Impreza four-door car with a New Hampshire Veteran license plate reading V69023, police said.

Elowyn Duren is described as standing 3 feet tall and weighing 30 pounds with blond hair and blue eyes. Vaelyn Duren is described as a 20-pound infant with blond hair and blue eyes.

Dustin Mark Duren, 36, stands about 5 feet, 10 inches tall and weighs around 190 pounds, authorities said. He has brown hair and brown eyes.

Members of the public who see Duren, his children, or their vehicle are urged to call 911 immediately and to not approach them. “Mr. Duren may possibly be armed and dangerous,” police said.

Any other information should be reported to Berlin Police at 603-752-3131 and/or to N.H. State Police at 603-223-4381.