In a devastating incident, authorities found the bodies of three young sisters and their mother in their Wolcottville home, with the police investigation still ongoing. The father, Jonathan Newell, expressed his grief over the loss.
On September 17, officers from the Wolcottville Police Department responded to a welfare check at a residence on South Main Street following concerns about the family. Upon arrival at around 11:20 a.m., they made the tragic discovery of four lifeless individuals: 32-year-old Rebecca Hughes and her daughters, Evalynn Newell (8), Allison Newell (6), and Amelia Newell (5). The Indiana State Police are now leading the investigation, while autopsies are being conducted to determine the cause of death, with toxicology reports still pending.
Authorities have reassured the public that there is no immediate danger, though the exact circumstances remain unclear. Jonathan Newell, father to the three girls, shared his anguish in interviews, recalling how he had hoped his wife had simply left with the children. He revealed that he had been seeking more time with his daughters, despite balancing a grueling three-shift work schedule.
On the day of the discovery, Jonathan was abruptly woken by a phone call from his distressed mother. Initially dismissing her concerns, he soon realized the gravity of the situation after noticing alarming Facebook posts. His worst fears were confirmed when police officers arrived at his door, breaking the news of his daughters’ deaths.
Jonathan candidly described his grief, sharing how feelings of anger, sadness, and numbness overwhelmed him. He also struggled with guilt, often questioning if his actions or choices might have changed the outcome.
In the small town of Wolcottville, the loss of Rebecca Hughes and her daughters has deeply shaken the community. Neighbors and churchgoers have left flowers, stuffed animals, and notes outside the family’s home in their memory. Pam Laughlin, a parishioner who knew the family, expressed her heartbreak, saying she wished she could have taken the girls’ place.
Residents, still reeling from the shock, hope the tragedy will bring the community closer and increase awareness of mental health struggles. Jonathan has also turned his grief into advocacy, urging parents to seek help if they feel overwhelmed. In an effort to honor his daughters, he created a GoFundMe for their funerals, which quickly surpassed its $30,000 goal, with contributions continuing to pour in.
Though the investigation continues, the community’s support for Jonathan and remembrance of Rebecca and her children stand as a testament to the lives they touched.