The small town of Wolcottville, Indiana, is still in shock after a terrible tragedy earlier this September.
Rebecca Hughes, who was 32 years old, was found dead along with her three children: 8-year-old Evelyn, 6-year-old Allison, and 5-year-old Amelia.
On September 17, police went to check on Hughes at her home and found her body along with her children’s.
The Indiana State Police sent detectives and crime scene investigators to the home. Police stated that the information and evidence they have shows there is no threat to the public.
While the investigation is still going on, authorities have not yet figured out what caused the tragedy, according to WSBT22. The Noble County Coroner’s Office has not released the cause of death or a toxicology report.
This heartbreaking news has deeply affected the close-knit community of Wolcottville, which has about 1,000 residents. As people learned the names of the family, many gathered to mourn and pay their respects. Main Street was filled with candles and stuffed animals, creating a touching tribute to the lost family.
Local pastor Mike Stanley told WSBT22, “Everybody’s grieving in their own way. If we come together and share that love… there are people here that I don’t know from the community, and I’ve lived here for twenty-some-odd years. But if we share the hurt, we share the burden; it all gets a little lighter for all of us.”
The children’s father, Jonathan Newell, set up a GoFundMe page to help with funeral costs. He also shared a moving statement. “These kids deserve so much more than I can provide for their burials. Rebecca, their mom, took them with her when she passed on 09/17/2024. If you can, everything helps. If you need to be paid back after, I can make payments. I’ll do whatever it takes,” Jonathan wrote.
The community came together to support Jonathan and the children. By the end of the fundraising campaign, he had received an amazing $47,000 in donations. “People who didn’t even know me or my kids started just giving money and sending messages,” Jonathan told ABC57.
On Sunday, September 22, funeral services were held at Hite Funeral Home for the girls, followed by a burial at Swan Cemetery. In another update on September 24, Jonathan wrote, “The funeral was beautiful, and my daughters were laid to rest in peace. Please stop donating now; I appreciate everything, but others need this now. Tomorrow I will start personal thank yous again.”
At this point, no one knows for sure what happened to the girls, as nothing has been made public. However, interviews with Jonathan, the father, and Rebecca’s friends show that Rebecca struggled with mental health issues.
Friend Ashley Gross posted on Facebook, describing Rebecca as “quiet and shy” around strangers but “so funny and bubbly” with friends. She added, “Rebecca did love her kids, and unfortunately, I don’t think anyone was there for her as she was going through something, mentally and emotionally.”
In the wake of the tragedy, Jonathan has shared an important message. He expressed regret for not being more present and hopes others can avoid feeling the same way. “If you are a parent, and you have kids, and you need help, then get it. Because you don’t know when it’s going to be the last time you can,” he pleaded.
A Bride Won’t Change Wedding Time for Sister’s Nap Schedule and Stands Firm
When two individuals maintain their limits, conflict may arise. In today’s tale, a woman defied her obstinate sister by refusing to back down. She had a valid cause, too: she was getting married.
The pair decided to get married in the autumn.
My fiancé and I will wed in October of this year. We are ecstatic about our January engagement. We are only inviting close family and friends to the intimate wedding.
My sister Lisa is the source of the issue. Lisa and her spouse are parents to a 2-year-old kid. I can’t put all the reasons why I don’t have a really loving connection with Lisa into this post.
The wedding invites were sent out last month. We asked our guests to please attend at the site by 1:00 p.m. as our wedding ceremony is scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m. Since the event will be held near our hometown, Lisa and most of the other guests will be able to easily get there.
Lisa informed me that her 2-year-old’s nap schedule meant the timing “wouldn’t work.” She explained that he naps at twelve and that she is not pressuring him to stay awake so she can prepare him for the occasion, otherwise he will be a nightmare. Despite the fact that I am childless, I felt this was an absurd excuse.
Lisa told me she couldn’t get a babysitter because all of her trusted people would be attending the wedding when I asked. She claimed she wouldn’t be able to make the wedding, so I proposed that they at least go to the reception.
She informed me that if the time isn’t changed, she won’t be at the wedding. I informed her that was not possible. Lisa declared she wouldn’t be going then. This pained me a great deal. I immediately ended the conversation with an excuse because I wasn’t sure how to respond at the time.
Lisa asked me what I thought of her suggestion a few days later. I reminded her that we are unable to alter the time. She said she hopes I’m glad they’re not coming and that everyone will wonder why she’s not there, and that it’s all because I can’t bring my nephew. The world doesn’t revolve around her and her son, I informed her angrily. She blocked me after calling me a bridezilla.
I simply don’t think I’m at fault, despite my mother’s persistent demands that I make apologies with Lisa.
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