In a harrowing turn of events, two young children who were the subject of an extensive search in New Hampshire have been found safe with their father, who stands accused of killing their mother. The chilling discovery comes after police issued an Amber Alert and launched a widespread search for the missing children.

The authorities were alerted on Thursday night when they found the lifeless body of Caitlyn Naffziger, 31, at an apartment in the city of Berlin. A subsequent autopsy revealed that she had tragically succumbed to a single gunshot wound to the head, according to Attorney General John Formella. As a result, 37-year-old Dustin Mark Duren has been charged with second-degree murder in connection with the incident.

Concerns heightened when it was discovered that the couple's two children, 4-year-old Elowyn Duren and 1-year-old Vaelyn Duren, were missing. An Amber Alert was swiftly issued in the early hours of the morning, urging the public to be on the lookout for the children and their father.

The search came to a hopeful conclusion when the children and their father were ultimately found safe at an Applebee's parking lot in the city of Keene, approximately 170 miles (275 kilometers) away from the initial crime scene. People who had seen the car described in the Amber Alert wasted no time in contacting the police, leading to the discovery.

Witnesses at the scene describe a controlled and relatively low-key apprehension. Rick Fuller, the owner of Rick's Gourmet Ice Cream store located nearby, witnessed the events unfold. He noted that around 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., several local police cars and a state trooper converged on a white car in the Applebee's parking lot. While there were no sirens, Fuller observed two officers drawing their weapons while others did not.

Fuller's view was partially obstructed, but he could see one officer holding a small girl. Shortly after, a woman approached and covered the child with two blankets. An ambulance was also dispatched to the scene. Fuller expressed surprise that the situation had ended up in Keene, emphasizing that he had received the Amber Alert and knew immediately the gravity of the situation.

Authorities express gratitude not only to the Keene police but also to the citizens across the state who took notice of the Amber Alert and assisted in locating the missing children. The investigation into the tragic death of Caitlyn Naffziger and the circumstances surrounding it continues as the accused father, Dustin Mark Duren, faces murder charges.

This heartbreaking incident serves as a reminder of the importance of staying vigilant and united as a community in the face of such devastating events.