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Daughter-in-Law Arrested After 88-Year-Old Exeter Woman Was Found Dead in February

02:16 AM, 11/27/2025
Daughter-in-Law Arrested After 88-Year-Old Exeter Woman Was Found Dead in February

An 88-year-old Exeter resident, Janet Rischeill Kelsen, was found dead in her apartment on Feb. 9; investigators later determined her injuries were inconsistent with a fall. On Nov. 25, authorities arrested her daughter-in-law, 55-year-old Danielle Kelsen, on second-degree murder charges related to blunt-force head trauma and on wiretapping/eavesdropping allegations. Danielle was taken into custody in Maine and faces an extradition hearing on Dec. 10 before an expected arraignment in New Hampshire's 10th Circuit Court. Prosecutors say she is the only person they believe responsible; no motive has been released.

The quiet town of Exeter, New Hampshire, was rocked after 88-year-old Janet Rischeill Kelsen was found dead in her Front Street apartment on Feb. 9. What was initially treated as a possible accident was later reclassified after investigators determined her injuries were inconsistent with a fall.

Arrest and Charges

On Nov. 25, the New Hampshire Attorney General's Office announced the arrest of 55-year-old Danielle Kelsen, the victim's daughter-in-law. She was taken into custody in Southwest Harbor, Maine, and has been charged with second-degree murder in connection with blunt-force head trauma allegedly inflicted on Janet Kelsen.

Prosecutors allege Danielle "recklessly caused the death of Janet Kelsen under circumstances manifesting an extreme indifference to the value of human life by inflicting blunt head trauma." In addition to the homicide charge, she faces accusations of wiretapping and eavesdropping for allegedly using an electronic device to intercept oral communications between herself and the victim.

Investigation and Next Steps

Danielle and her husband had been living with Janet in the Front Street apartment. A relative called 911 just before 6 p.m. on Feb. 9 to report a medical emergency; at the time the death was investigated as possibly accidental. Detectives later concluded the injuries were not consistent with a fall, prompting a criminal investigation.

Senior Assistant Attorney General Ben Agati said Danielle is the only person who has been arrested because she is "the only individual that we believe was responsible for this action," and cautioned against speculation about others who lived in the home.

Danielle Kelsen faced a preliminary proceeding regarding whether she was a fugitive from justice and is scheduled for an extradition hearing on Dec. 10. Once extradited to New Hampshire, she is expected to be arraigned in the state's 10th Circuit Court. Authorities have not released details about a possible motive, and it was not clear whether she had retained legal counsel who could speak on her behalf.

Note: The investigation remains active. Officials have asked anyone with relevant information to contact the New Hampshire Attorney General's Office or local law enforcement.

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