New Hampshire

No Bail for Man Accused of Stabbing Mother to Death

A New Hampshire man is behind bars accused of stabbing his mother to death last month.

In an orange jumpsuit and shackles, 21-year-old Phillip Nash exited Merrimack County Superior Court Friday afternoon, headed to jail without bail.

He's charged with second-degree murder, accused of killing his own mom.

Nash had nothing to say, and neither did his attorney.

"No, I’m not going to make any comment at this time," said public defender Emma Sisti.

Authorities say Nash’s mother, Frances Nash, disappeared on May 17. Four days later, her body was found in a swamp off Hackleboro Road in Canterbury.

According to court documents, investigators said Phillip Nash stabbed his mother multiple times. Investigators also said he stole her car and his boss’s car and took off until police caught up with him in Virginia.

"Nash was being held in Virginia on pending felony theft charges," explained Senior Assistant New Hampshire Attorney General Jeffery Strelzin. "In the meantime, state police were investigating and eventually we decided it was appropriate to bring that murder charge."

Frances Nash was a librarian at the Maxfield Public Library in Loudon, and taught yoga there as well. She’s being remembered as a kind-hearted soul and quick with a smile. She told her friends at the library that her son, Phillip, was struggling with mental illness.

In court Friday, family members sat in the first row, but didn’t want to comment on camera.

"Every murder case is difficult for families involved, whoever they are, but obviously it’s extremely difficult when it’s a family member on another family member," Strelzin said.

Phillip Nash is being held without bail and is due back in court on July 19.

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