In a tragic turn of events, police discovered the bodies of three young sisters and their mother in their Wolcottville home. The investigation is ongoing, and the girls’ father, Jonathan Newell, has opened up about the devastating loss.
On September 17, Wolcottville Police officers were called to a residence on South Main Street for a welfare check. Upon arrival, they made a heartbreaking discovery: the lifeless bodies of a woman and three children. Indiana State Police took over the investigation, with the Noble County Coroner later identifying the deceased as 32-year-old Rebecca Hughes and her daughters, Evalynn, 8, Allison, 6, and Amelia Newell, 5. Autopsies have been conducted, but the results are still pending, including toxicology reports. Although the investigation is still unfolding, police have stated that there is no immediate threat to the public.
Meanwhile, Jonathan Newell shared his perspective on the tragedy. In an interview, he revealed that he had requested visitation time with his daughters and had been attending court dates while juggling a demanding work schedule. On the day of the tragic discovery, Jonathan was asleep after a long work shift when his mother called him with the alarming news.
Initially, Jonathan reassured his mother, believing everything was fine. However, after seeing concerning posts on social media, he realized something was wrong. Jonathan called the police, but they withheld information over the phone. Just as he was about to visit Rebecca’s house, police officers arrived at his door, breaking the news of the deaths of his daughters.
Jonathan described his feelings of grief, anger, and disbelief. He spoke of feeling disconnected from reality, as though his daughters were still at their mother’s home. He also wrestled with guilt, wondering if his own actions could have changed the outcome. He expressed regret over being tired and irritable due to his work schedule, pondering “what-ifs” in the wake of the tragedy.
The deaths of Rebecca Hughes and her daughters have deeply shaken the tight-knit community of Wolcottville. Residents have created a memorial outside the family’s home, leaving flowers, stuffed animals, and heartfelt notes. Pam Laughlin, a fellow parishioner, expressed her sorrow, remembering the sisters as kind children. Another neighbor, Greg Williams, shared his shock, recalling his last interaction with Rebecca just days before the tragedy.
In response to the tragedy, the community has rallied around Jonathan Newell. A GoFundMe page he created to cover the funeral expenses for his daughters quickly surpassed its $30,000 goal, reaching over $45,000 in just 12 hours. Jonathan was overwhelmed by the generosity of both friends and strangers, expressing his deep gratitude.
Amid the grief for the children, Rebecca’s friend Ashley McAtee reminded the community of Rebecca’s own struggles. In a Facebook post, Ashley highlighted that while the situation is tragic, Rebecca was a loving mother who may have been dealing with emotional and mental health challenges. Ashley urged others to show empathy and avoid jumping to conclusions about the circumstances leading to the tragedy.
