By Allen G. Breed, Gary D. Robertson and Jeffrey CollinsThe Related Press
ZEBULON, N.C. (AP) — A North Carolina man was charged Oct. 28 with 4 counts of homicide after telling authorities that he had killed his youngsters and after sheriff’s deputies discovered human stays within the trunk of a car in his dwelling’s storage.
Wellington Delano Dickens III, 38, was being held with out bond within the Johnston County Jail, in line with the county’s sheriff’s workplace and courtroom data.
Dickens had been charged earlier Oct. 28 within the dying of considered one of his youngsters, a sheriff’s workplace information launch stated. Three extra homicide counts had been filed later within the day, data present.
Dickens known as 911 late Oct. 27 and informed the operator he had killed his youngsters, the sheriff’s assertion stated.
Johnston County deputies responded, and as Dickens had informed them, his 3-year-old son was alive contained in the residence on the outskirts of Zebulon, which is about 25 miles (40 kilometers) east of Raleigh.
However Dickens additionally informed deputies 4 of his different youngsters had been deceased contained in the trunk of the car contained in the storage, the assertion stated.
The deputies found what the discharge described as “a number of our bodies” within the trunk and stated what had been believed to be human stays inside had been there for a very long time, the sheriff’s workplace stated. The arrest warrants say authorities consider the victims had been killed Could 1.
The sheriff’s workplace stated investigators consider Dickens killed three of his organic youngsters, ages 6, 9 and 10, in addition to his 18-year-old stepchild. Arrest warrants for 3 of the counts verify the victims as 9, 10 and 18. The fourth arrest warrant offered no date of delivery for the sufferer.
Court docket data present Dickens appeared earlier than a decide the afternoon of Oct. 28 on the preliminary homicide cost. Data confirmed he will likely be appointed an legal professional, however a reputation was not instantly listed.
Dickens’ spouse, Stephanie, died in April 2024, and Dickens stated 5 youngsters lived of their Zebulon dwelling, in line with courtroom data from his spouse’s property. Her dying got here simply over a 12 months after Dickens’ father died when his automobile crashed right into a field truck in Lee County, N.C., in line with courtroom data.
Dickens’ nice uncle Charles Moore informed WRAL-TV that Dickens was an Iraq Battle veteran. Moore stated he hadn’t seen Dickens in a few 12 months however that he appeared like he was doing wonderful.
A police cruiser with flashing lights blocked the highway resulting in Dickens’ handle Oct. 28, with tents from the sheriff’s workplace and the State Bureau of Investigation erected within the driveway. The house sits in a lately constructed subdivision of one- and two-story homes. An outdated farmhouse sits not removed from the subdivision’s entrance.
Some neighbors stated they barely remembered seeing the household, particularly after Dickens’ spouse died. Miranda Dorta stated she simply noticed the children stroll to and from the varsity bus, whereas neighbor Terry Fuller mowed their garden a couple of occasions when the grass acquired excessive.
Though the subdivision’s oldest homes are solely about 3 years outdated, it’s additionally a tight-knit neighborhood and many individuals might have helped if Dickens reached out, Fuller stated.
“I’ve seen the children haven’t been out taking part in for fairly a while, however hadn’t put two and two collectively. And I woke as much as this this morning. It’s fairly terrible,” Fuller stated.
Beforehand recognized for its tobacco market and a railroad that got here via city, Zebulon is shortly turning right into a bed room neighborhood of the Raleigh-Durham space.
___
Robertson reported from Raleigh, North Carolina, and Collins from Columbia, South Carolina
