by Zebulon, NC – A deeply disturbing case has emerged from Zebulon, North Carolina, where a father, Wellington Delano Dickens III, 38, confessed to killing four of his children and hiding their remains in a car trunk at his home. He also admitted to burying a fifth child, an infant, behind the house, according to court records and law enforcement reports.
This grim discovery has shocked the community and law enforcement as details continue to unfold about the deaths, which appear to have occurred over several months.
The Startling Confession and Discovery
On the night of October 27, 2024, deputies from the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call after Dickens contacted 911, confessing he had killed his children. Investigators found Dickens at the home along with a surviving 3-year-old son who was unharmed. When they searched the garage, they discovered what appeared to be human remains in the trunk of a vehicle. These remains had likely been there for some time.
“It’s a lot to explain, but in a nutshell, it’s probably my fault. It’s bad. It started out as me over-disciplining – that’s it,” Dickens reportedly told the 911 dispatcher during the call, according to WRAL-TV.
Timeline and Context of the Tragedy
Sheriff Steve Bizzell revealed that the deaths were believed to have occurred between May and September 2024, a timeline that followed the death of Dickens’ wife, Stephanie Rae Jones Dickens, who passed away in April due to complications from a miscarriage.
Authorities are still trying to determine the motive for the killings. Sheriff Bizzell expressed his profound sadness and disbelief:
“As the sheriff, as a father and as a grandfather, I can stand here and say there’s no reason for a father to murder his children.”
Community and Investigative Insights
Neighbors described the Dickens family as reclusive and reported that the children were homeschooled. Law enforcement officers had been to the home previously, including when Stephanie Dickens died, which was ruled a natural death after she refused medical treatment.
- The five children were not seen outside freely and were confined mostly to the house.
- The death of the fifth child, an infant, was never reported, and relatives had not seen the baby since Dickens moved.
- The infant’s remains have not yet been found but are expected to be searched for again when weather permits.
The case has had a profound emotional impact on every first responder involved.
“This case has affected every deputy, every investigator and every first responder who went to that house. It’s something you don’t ever forget,” said Sheriff Bizzell.
Read Also: Woman Critically Injured After Being Set on Fire on Chicago CTA Blue Line Train in the Loop
Ongoing Investigation and Medical Examination
The state medical examiner’s office is continuing to analyze the remains to determine causes of death, with details expected to emerge as the investigation progresses. Court documents also indicate plans to resume the search for the infant child’s remains once conditions improve.
Read Also: Indiana Tattoo Artist Shares Cautionary Tale of Risky Piercing Shift and Client Incident
For more information on the investigation and official statements, please visit the original Fox News report.
What’s Next?
Wellington Delano Dickens III faces four counts of first-degree murder. Authorities are working to complete the legal and forensic processes to bring full answers and justice in this heartbreaking case.
What do you think about this tragic case? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
