Police in Indiana made a devastating discovery during a welfare check at a home in Wolcottville. A mother and her three daughters were all found deceased on September 17 in an apparent murder-suicide. The bodies of Rebecca Hughes, 32, Evelyn Newell, 8, Allison Newell, 6, and Amelia Newell, 5, were inside the home. Officials did not release a cause of death, but police assured everyone there was no threat to the public.
The girls’ father, Jonathan Newell, was left heartbroken and set up a GoFundMe account asking for help to give his daughters a proper burial. The father wrote that Hughes was responsible for their deaths.
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Police discovered the bodies in the morning.
According to a news release from the Indiana State Police, Wolcottville Police Department officers arrived at the home around 11:20 a.m. After finding the mother and her daughters deceased, Wolcottville officers contacted the state police for assistance.
“The Indiana State Police responded with detectives and crime scene investigators. Information known to investigators and evidence gathered suggests that there is not a threat to the public,” the release explains.
The coroner positively identified the bodies.
Although a cause of death has not yet been released, it appears the mother and her daughters may have died in a murder-suicide. The Noble County coroner identified the family members and said a full report, including toxicology, is pending.
The girls' father reached out for help.
Newell explained on the GoFundMe page that he was not financially prepared to bury his daughters and asked for assistance.
“I need help with funeral costs for all three. I don’t ask people for help, but these kids deserve so much more than I can provide for their burials,” the grieving father wrote. “Rebecca, their mom, took them with her when she passed on 09/17/2024. If you can, everything helps. If you need to be paid back after, I can make payments. I’ll do whatever it takes.”
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He posted a follow-up thank you to donors.
Thanks to the generosity of others, Newell has raised more than $40,000, surpassing his original goal of $30,000. He shared his gratitude on the fundraising page.
On September 18, the father wrote, “You guys did it thank you thank you so much I’m shaking your amazing any additional funds will go to a grave stone and then depending on need I Wana help other women and kids like rebecca and my daughters.”
Newell made an additional update on September 19, writing, “Thank you all this is way more than I could ask . If any of you need help ever I’m there for you . I want to thank everyone personally there is alot I had to do today for the girls . Please don’t be offended if I haven’t got to you yet.”
__*Note: If you or any of your loved ones are struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can always reach out to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling 988. They [are available](https://988lifeline.org/chat/) 24/7 by phone or online chat.*__
