In a heart-wrenching incident, police discovered the bodies of three young sisters and their mother inside their Wolcottville home, leaving the community in shock. Investigations are ongoing, while the girls’ father, Jonathan Newell, has spoken out about the tragedy that has devastated his family.
On September 17, Wolcottville Police were dispatched to a residence on South Main Street for a welfare check after concerns were raised about the family. Arriving around 11:20 a.m., officers made the grim discovery of a woman and three young children, all deceased.
Authorities quickly handed the case over to the Indiana State Police. The victims were identified as 32-year-old Rebecca Hughes and her daughters, Evalynn, 8, Allison, 6, and Amelia Newell, 5. Autopsies are underway, but results, including toxicology reports, remain pending.
Though details of the investigation remain sparse, police have assured the public that there is no immediate danger. Meanwhile, the father, Jonathan, shared his sorrow, recalling the uncertainty he felt before learning the devastating news. He initially believed Rebecca had run off with the children, but the reality turned out to be far worse.
In a candid interview, Jonathan expressed the complexity of his emotions following the loss. He spoke of his dedication to securing time with his daughters, attending court hearings while balancing three jobs. On the day of the tragedy, he was jarred awake by a frantic call from his mother, but it wasn’t until he noticed alarming Facebook posts that he realized something was terribly wrong.
His worst fears were confirmed when two police officers arrived at his door, delivering the heartbreaking news. Jonathan admitted to feeling overwhelmed by waves of anger, sadness, and detachment, grappling with the surreal reality that his daughters were no longer alive.
As grief consumes him, Jonathan also faces guilt, wondering if he could have changed anything. “I feel like there’s a lot that can be blamed on me,” he said, haunted by “what-ifs” and replaying different scenarios in his mind.
The small town of Wolcottville has been deeply affected by the loss, with an impromptu memorial of flowers, stuffed animals, and heartfelt notes appearing outside the family’s home. Friends and neighbors, shocked by the tragedy, have shared their sorrow. Pam Laughlin, a fellow parishioner, broke down while recalling the girls, and neighbor Greg Williams, still reeling, remembered seeing Rebecca just days before.
The community has rallied around Jonathan, raising over $45,000 through a GoFundMe campaign to help give his daughters the farewell they deserve. Jonathan, moved to tears by the outpouring of support, expressed deep gratitude to everyone who contributed. “This is the last thing I can do for them,” he said, acknowledging how overwhelmed he felt by the kindness of strangers.
Amid the grief, a close friend of Rebecca’s, Ashley McAtee, took to social media to remind others of Rebecca’s struggles. She described Rebecca as a loving mother who likely faced mental and emotional battles without enough support. “Rebecca loved her kids,” Ashley wrote, encouraging people not to jump to conclusions.
Now, Jonathan is using his platform to raise awareness about mental health, hoping to prevent similar tragedies. He urged parents to seek help if they are struggling. “You don’t know when it’s going to be the last time you can,” he said, highlighting the importance of mental health support for parents and children alike.
As the investigation continues, the community remains united in grief and support for Jonathan, waiting for answers that might help explain this heartbreaking loss.