A North Carolina man, Wellington Delano Dickens III, 38, was apprehended by authorities on Monday after he reportedly admitted to the murder of four of his children, whose bodies were found in the trunk of his car. Dickens is currently facing a single count of murder related to the death of a minor, as per the official announcement.
The Johnston County Sheriff’s Office revealed that Dickens dialed 911 around 10 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 27, and informed the dispatcher that he had “killed his children.” He identified himself and provided his address on Springtooth Drive in Zebulon, North Carolina, a location approximately 175 miles east of Charlotte.
According to the official statement, “Mr. Dickens informed deputies that his 3-year-old son was inside the house alive and four of his other children were deceased inside the trunk of a vehicle in the garage of the residence.” Upon reaching the location, first responders found Dickens’ 3-year-old son unharmed in the house. However, they soon discovered what appeared to be multiple bodies in the trunk of a car in the garage.
Following an initial investigation, deputies concluded that the human remains in the trunk had been there for an extended period. A search warrant was subsequently obtained and executed at Dickens’ residence. After the search, investigators stated that they believed Dickens had killed three of his biological children, aged 6, 9, and 10, and his 18-year-old stepchild.
The State Medical Examiner’s Office, along with agents from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, were called to the scene to assist sheriff’s detectives. Due to the apparent time elapsed since the deaths, the identification of the bodies will need to be confirmed by the medical examiner’s office. The suspected cause of death for the victims has not been disclosed.
Authorities have not speculated on a possible motive for the alleged murders or why Dickens reportedly chose to spare his youngest child. Dickens is currently detained in the Johnston County Jail without bond and is set to make his first court appearance on Tuesday afternoon.
The investigation into the children’s deaths is still ongoing, and authorities have indicated that additional charges against Dickens are expected as the investigation progresses. They have urged anyone with information pertinent to the case to contact the department.