North Carolina father Wellington Dickens has been charged with first-degree murder after allegedly confessing to killing four of his children and hiding their remains in a car trunk at his home near Zebulon. The Johnston County Sheriff’s Office reported that deputies responded to Dickens’ home on October 27 after he called 911, claiming the bodies of his four children were in a car parked inside his garage. During the 911 call, Dickens allegedly told the dispatcher that the killings had started as a result of his over-disciplining.
Investigators believe the deaths occurred over several months, beginning in May and ending in September, with a fifth child’s remains allegedly buried behind the house. The sheriff, Steve Bizzell, expressed his grief over the incident, stating, “there’s no reason for a father to murder his children.” Details about how the children died have not been released, but officials stated that the state medical examiner’s office continues to examine the remains to determine their causes of death. Officials also mentioned that the search for the fifth child will resume once weather conditions improve.
Authorities said Dickens’ wife, Stephanie Rae Jones Dickens, died in April 2024 from complications of a miscarriage. Investigators believe the killings occurred between May and September of this year. Neighbors described the family as reclusive and said the children were homeschooled. Deputies said the home had been visited previously when Stephanie Dickens died, but her death was determined to be from natural causes after she refused medical treatment.
In court documents obtained by NBC News, Dickens allegedly confessed to burying a fifth child in the woods behind his home. Dickens allegedly told investigators his infant’s health had declined before he wrapped the baby in plastic or paper and buried the child behind the house. Officials said the death was never reported, and relatives told investigators they hadn’t seen the baby since Dickens moved. The infant’s remains have not been found, according to NBC News.
Fox News Digital is working to obtain the indictment and charging documents. “This case has affected every deputy, every investigator and every first responder who went to that house,” Bizzell said. “It’s something you don’t ever forget.” The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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