Manchester, New Hampshire – A 47-year-old man in Goffstown, New Hampshire has been sentenced to 40 years to life in a state correctional facility for the gruesome murder of his mother. Thomas Humphrey stabbed his 70-year-old mother, Linda Tufts, more than 20 times and nearly decapitated her during an argument about the volume of a video game he was playing.
Humphrey pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree murder and one count of felony arson for burning his mother’s body. In addition to the life sentence, he received a suspended sentence of five to 10 years in prison for the arson charge.
During the sentencing hearing, New Hampshire Superior Court Judge N. William Delker expressed his shock at the barbarity of the crime. He referred to it as one of the most brutal murders he has presided over during his time on the bench. Delker emphasized the need for a lengthy state prison sentence to protect society from the dangerous nature of Humphrey’s actions.
The incident occurred on December 4, 2023, when Humphrey, playing a video game on a PlayStation console his mother had given him for his birthday, got into a heated argument with Tufts. The disagreement escalated and resulted in Humphrey stabbing his mother 22 times. After the attack, Humphrey set her body on fire inside their home.
Emergency personnel responded to a call about a fire at the residence and discovered Tufts’ lifeless body with multiple stab wounds. Humphrey was found inside the home holding a knife and had self-inflicted stab wounds. He was taken to a local hospital for treatment before being charged in his mother’s murder.
Neighbors report that Humphrey had recently moved back in with his parents after being previously kicked out of the family home. His father was at work when the murder took place.
The judge expressed the sheer brutality of the crime, stating it was one of the most horrific murders he has seen in his career.