Fatal Stabbing Case Involving Death Of Mass. Man Completed

JAFFREY, NH — The Office of the Attorney General and the New Hampshire State Police have concluded an investigation into the fatal stabbing of Jake Seaburg, 23 in Jaffrey on Dec. 12, 2020.

The investigation determined that Seaburg was fatally stabbed during a physical altercation with Reilly Lawn, 23. Lawn made statements asserting claims of accident and self-defense.

Based upon the investigation conducted into Jake Seaburg’s stabbing death, New Hampshire Deputy Attorney General Jane E. Young determined that there is insufficient evidence to disprove the asserted claim of an accident beyond a reasonable doubt. As a result, no homicide charges will be brought against Lawn. As a result, no homicide charges will be brought against Reilly Lawn.

The findings and conclusions set forth in the report are based upon information gathered during the course of the investigation, including interviews with Lawn as well as every eyewitness who saw his fatal altercation with Seaburg.

The report states the at about 5 a.m. on Dec. 12, 2020, Lawn was inside his apartment in Jaffrey with his two roommates, their friend Seaburg, and another guest. Everyone was drinking alcohol during the night and “hanging out” inside the apartment for more than an hour. At one point, and as part of casual conversation, Lawn showed others some knives he owned.

Later on, while the group was gathered at a table inside the kitchen of the apartment, Lawn and Seaburg began to argue. Their verbal argument escalated quickly, to everyone else’s surprise. During that dispute, Seaburg got up from his chair and approached Lawn. Lawn grabbed one of the knives that he had shown others earlier, intending to use it to keep Seaburg away. Seaburg then threw Lawn to the floor, maintaining his hold on him as he did so. Seaburg landed on top of Lawn, their bodies facing one another. In statements Lawn later made to police, he believed that Mr. Seaburg was stabbed “accidentally” when he (Seaburg) landed atop of Lawn while violently taking him down.

Lawn also admitted that, while Seaburg was still on him and punching him, he tried to stab Seaburg in “self-defense.” Of the three other people in the room who witnessed the violent encounter between Lawn and Seaburg, none of them actually saw Lawn stab Seaburg.

Seaburg was quickly pulled off of Lawn. Lawn then placed the knife used in the stabbing in the kitchen, called 911, and reported in substance that he had stabbed someone. Lawn waited outside the apartment, where police encountered him. Despite aid rendered by his friends and by medical personnel, Seaburg died soon after the police arrived. He suffered two stab wounds to his chest.

The report concludes is stating “Based on the totality of the evidence, that claim cannot be so disproven. There is nothing inherently contradictory or counterintuitive in Lawn’s claim of accident. It is a claim that he raised in both of his interviews with investigators. And, although Lawn also asserted self-defense, according to his consistent narrative he claimed defensive use of deadly force occurred after he believed that Seaburg was stabbed by accident in the violent takedown and struggle on the floor. It also is pertinent to the analysis that there was no prior relationship, let alone animus, between Reilly.”

The extensive 15-page report outlines the investigation and many other details. The full report that was published by The Office of the Attorney General and the New Hampshire State Police can be found here.

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