A Massachusetts acupuncturist, Janette MacAusland, 49, faces charges of first-degree murder in the deaths of her two young children, Kai, 7, and Ella, 6. The children were discovered dead in their $1.5 million Wellesley home on April 24. MacAusland was arrested in Vermont after appearing at a relative's home with a visible neck injury and exhibiting distress. Authorities were alerted by Vermont police to conduct a welfare check in Massachusetts, where the children were found deceased.

During questioning, MacAusland allegedly confessed to strangling the children, stating she wanted to join them in death by going "to God together." She was arraigned in Dedham District Court and pleaded not guilty. A judge ordered her held without bail. Her next court appearance is scheduled for September 10, 2026. MacAusland's next court appearance is on September 10, 2026

The alleged murders occurred during a contentious divorce from her husband, Samuel MacAusland, 62. Samuel MacAusland filed for divorce in October 2025, citing an "irretrievable breakdown" of their marriage. Court documents reveal disputes over child custody and the division of their assets, including their Wellesley home. Her husband Samuel filed for divorce in October 2025 last year, citing an 'irretrievable breakdown,' according to court documents reviewed by the Daily Mail

Prior to the divorce proceedings, Janette MacAusland had shared positive posts on social media about her husband and family life. In June 2021, she posted a Father's Day tribute to Samuel, calling him a devoted father. Another post from May 2021, captioned "Destination: Date Night," featured a selfie of the couple. The couple married in Costa Rica in February 2016. Janette wrote: 'Destination: Date Night' next to a selfie of her and Samuel in a past social media post, presenting a happy relationship

Kai and Ella attended Schofield Elementary School, where they were in second grade and kindergarten, respectively. Neighbors reported hearing the children playing in their yard less than a week before their deaths. One neighbor, David Kessler, told The Boston Globe that police described the scene as "as bad as you can imagine." The children (pictured with their mother), one in second grade and the other in kindergarten, attended Schofield Elementary School

MacAusland was previously listed as an acupuncturist with New England Integrated Health, which has since removed her profile. Her professional background included work at Massachusetts General Hospital and founding Boston Acupuncture Trauma Relief after the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing. MacAusland was listed as an acupuncturist with New England Integrated Health, which has since removed her bio