The quiet town of Wolcottville was shaken to its core when the bodies of three young sisters and their mother were discovered in their home. As the investigation unfolds, the community rallies around the grieving father, Jonathan Newell.
On September 17, police responded to a welfare check at the residence, revealing the lifeless bodies of 32-year-old Rebecca Hughes and her daughters: Evalynn (8), Allison (6), and Amelia (5).
Autopsies were conducted, but the cause of death remains unknown. The police have reassured the public that there is no immediate threat.
Jonathan Newell, the girls’ father, has spoken out about his devastating loss. He recalls the moments leading up to the discovery, from initial concerns to the heart-wrenching reality.
“I had prepared myself to think she [Rebecca] had run with the kids,” Jonathan said. “But then I saw the posts on Facebook… and I knew something was wrong.”
Jonathan’s grief is palpable as he struggles to come to terms with the loss. “Sometimes you’re mad, sometimes you’re sad… other times you’re so dissociated you don’t even feel like you’re there.”
The community has rallied around Jonathan, creating an impromptu memorial and donating over $45,000 to a GoFundMe page for the girls’ burial.
In the midst of tragedy, Jonathan pleads for awareness about mental health, particularly for mothers and children. “If you feel like you’re struggling at all, get help… you don’t know when it’s going to be the last time.”
As the investigation continues, the town remains in shock. Neighbors and friends remember the girls as exceptionally kind and Rebecca as a loving mother.
Rebecca’s friend Ashley McAtee honored her memory on Facebook, emphasizing the complexity of the situation. “Rebecca did love her kids… unfortunately, I don’t think anyone was there for her.”
Jonathan’s message resonates: “If you are a parent and you need help, then get it. Because you don’t know when it’s going to be the last time you can.”
The tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the importance of supporting those struggling with mental health.
