Authorities in North Carolina have arrested a 38-year-old man accused of killing four of his children and concealing their bodies inside the trunk of a vehicle at his home.
The Johnston County Sheriff’s Office identified the suspect as Wellington Delano Dickens III, who was taken into custody Monday night after allegedly calling 911 to confess.
According to investigators, Dickens phoned authorities around 10 p.m. on October 27, claiming that he had “killed his children.” When deputies arrived at his residence in Zebulon, they found a 3-year-old boy alive inside the home.
A search of the property led deputies to a disturbing discovery — what appeared to be multiple bodies hidden in the trunk of a car parked in the garage.
Victims Believed to Be His Children and Stepchild
Officials believe the deceased victims include Dickens’ three biological children, ages 6, 9, and 10, along with his 18-year-old stepchild. The sheriff’s office said the bodies appeared to have been in the trunk “for a long period of time.”
The remains have been sent to the state medical examiner’s office for formal identification and to determine the exact cause and time of death.
Suspect Held Without Bond
Dickens has been charged with one count of murder and is being held at the Johnston County Detention Center without bond. Authorities said more charges are expected as the investigation continues.
As of now, no motive has been released. Sheriff Steve Bizzell described the case as “one of the most tragic and heartbreaking situations” his department has ever encountered.
