ZEBULON, N.C. (AP) — Wellington Delano Dickens III, a man from North Carolina, has been charged with four counts of murder after confessing to the killings of his children to authorities. This shocking revelation came when sheriff's deputies discovered human remains in the trunk of a vehicle parked in his garage.
At 38 years old, Dickens is currently being held without bond at the Johnston County Jail. He was originally charged on Tuesday morning regarding the death of one of his children. Later that day, additional charges were brought against him as investigators delved deeper into the case.
According to a statement from the Johnston County sheriff's office, Dickens contacted 911 on Monday evening, admitting he had murdered his children. When deputies responded to the call, they found Dickens’ 3-year-old son unharmed in the house located on the outskirts of Zebulon, approximately 25 miles east of Raleigh.
Upon further investigation, officers discovered what they described as 'multiple bodies' in the trunk of the vehicle in the garage, and it was noted that the remains had potentially been there for some time. According to arrest warrants, authorities believe the killings occurred on May 1.
Victims identified in the warrants included three of Dickens' biological children aged 6, 9, and 10, along with his 18-year-old stepchild. Presently, no date of birth is listed for one of the victims.
Court records reveal that Dickens made a court appearance on Tuesday afternoon regarding the initial murder charge. He is expected to be represented by an attorney, although no attorney's name has yet been provided.
The tragedy deepens with the knowledge that Dickens' wife, Stephanie, passed away in April 2024. Dickens shared five children with her, according to court documents related to her estate following her death, which occurred more than a year after his father's passing in a car accident.
Neighbors expressed their shock, recalling that they seldom saw the family, especially after the death of Dickens’ wife. One neighbor, Terry Fuller, who occasionally mowed the lawn for the family, stated, 'Although the subdivision’s oldest houses are only about three years old, it’s a tight-knit neighborhood, and many people could have helped if Dickens had reached out.' The community, previously known for its tobacco market, is increasingly becoming a bedroom community for the Raleigh-Durham area.
