When tragedy strikes, it typically involves more than the individual who is directly affected. Sometimes, it can affect the community or perhaps even the world.
People from all over were affected when officers from the Wolcottville Police Department arrived for a welfare check at a home on September 17. What they found was more than any of them could have ever expected, because there was a woman with her three young children found lifeless in the home.
After the local police made the discovery, they got the Indiana state police involved. They then made the finding that the residents were the 32-year-old mother, Rebecca Hughes, and her three daughters, Evalynn Newell, 8, Allison Newell, 6, and Amelia Newell, 5.
After autopsies were conducted, they may have made some findings but they are not sharing them as of yet. What police have said is that the general public is under no immediate threat but they are still looking into the details of the case.
The local community is in shock after what happened and is heartbroken. The authorities are still holding onto the circumstances associated with the deaths but the father of the girls, Jonathan is talking about his feelings.
When interviewed, Jonathan spoke about the time before he learned about their death. He said: “I had prepared myself to think that she [Rebecca] had ran with the kids. She didn’t show up. She’d done some other stuff that would sort of indicate that she wasn’t going to go along with it. [sic]”
He had requested additional visitation time with his daughters and when there was a court date, he would go, despite working three shifts per day.
When the discovery was made, he was exhausted from work and had fallen asleep, only to be woken by a frantic call from his mother. Despite the fact that she seemed distressed, he reassured her and said: “Don’t worry, she’s fine, the kids are fine.”
When he noticed posts on Facebook, that is when he knew something was really wrong. He contacted the police and they would not disclose any details. When he got up to go to Rebecca’s house, policemen met him at the door.
Jonathan said: “Sometimes you’re mad. Sometimes you’re sad. Other times you’re so dissociated you don’t even feel like you’re there.” He discussed the moments when it seemed as if reality was disappearing and he felt as if he could just drive by to see his daughters anytime he wanted.
That is when he would come to the realization that his daughters were no longer alive. It was a profound moment of sadness for him and he had difficulty with his grief.
“What I get most is the guilt. I feel like there’s a lot that can be blamed on me.”
Many people in the community are also feeling empathy after what occurred. They were known by many, and the outpouring of support for Jonathan in the face of such a tragic loss is touching.
Jonathan spoke about the fundraiser they set up in which he said “People who didn’t even know me or my kids started just giving money and sending messages.”
He went on to write a message for those who offered such support, saying: “Thank you all, this is way more than I could ask. If any of you need help ever, I’m there for you. I want to thank everyone personally. There is a lot I had to do today for the girls. Please don’t be offended if I haven’t got to you yet. [sic]”