Police in Wolcottville, Indiana, found the bodies of 32-year-old Rebecca Hughes and her three daughters—Evalynn, who was 8, Allison, who was 6, and 5-year-old Amelia—on September 17. They were called to check on the family at their home. The Indiana State Police are now in charge of the investigation, but they haven’t shared what caused their deaths yet, as they are still waiting for the autopsy results. Officials have told the community that there is no immediate danger.
Jonathan Newell, the dad of the girls, talked about the heartbreaking loss. He shared how shocked he was when he got the news, and at first, he didn’t take his mom’s worries seriously. “Don’t worry, she’s okay, the kids are okay,” Jonathan reassured her, not knowing that his daughters were actually gone. He said, “Sometimes you feel angry. Sometimes you feel sad. Other times, you feel so out of it that it’s like you’re not even there.”
The community has come together to support Jonathan, collecting more than $45,000 on a GoFundMe page to cover funeral costs. “This is truly the final thing I can do for them,” Jonathan expressed, touched by the kindness from strangers.
Jonathan is using this sad time in the community to talk about the importance of mental health. He is encouraging parents to ask for help if they need it. In an interview, he said, “If you’re a parent with kids and you’re struggling, please reach out for support.” He hopes that by sharing this message, fewer families will have to go through such painful experiences in the future.
