A heartbreaking tragedy struck Wolcottville, Indiana, where a mother and her three young daughters were found dead in what authorities believe was a murder-suicide.
According to the Noble County Coroner, 32-year-old Rebecca Hughes took her own life, while her daughters—8-year-old Evalynn Newell, 6-year-old Allison Newell, and 5-year-old Amelia Newell—died from gas asphyxiation. Their deaths have been ruled as homicides.
The police discovered the devastating scene on September 17 when they went to check on the family’s welfare.
A Father’s Grief and Questions
Jonathan Newell, the father of the three girls, is struggling to understand what happened. In an emotional interview with WPTA, he expressed his deep sorrow and confusion.
“The biggest question on my mind is ‘Why?’ Why did this happen? Was it because of the visitation arrangements? Did my wanting to see my children somehow lead to their deaths?” he shared.
Jonathan revealed that he only had limited supervised visits with his daughters—twice a month for just one hour. Despite his pain, he is determined to raise awareness about mental health and advocate for better support systems to prevent similar tragedies.
Impact on the Community and Law Enforcement
The case has deeply affected not only the family but also the local community and law enforcement officers involved in the investigation.
Sergeant Wes Rowlader of the Indiana State Police spoke about the emotional toll such cases take on officers.
“Imagine the detectives, crime scene investigators, and police officers who respond to these incidents. In small towns like ours, they often know the people involved,” Rowlader explained.
He emphasized that while officers must remain professional, tragedies like this are emotionally challenging.
“It’s not just the community that suffers—it affects the officers, too. But they push through the mental and emotional challenges to do their job. We share in your pain,” he said.
A Call for Change
As the investigation continues, Jonathan Newell and others hope this tragedy sparks conversations about mental health support, parenting struggles, and family law policies. The loss of three innocent lives has left a lasting impact, urging communities to come together in support of families facing similar challenges.
