The small town of Wolcottville, Indiana, is still in shock after a terrible tragedy earlier this September.
Rebecca Hughes, who was 32 years old, was found dead along with her three children: 8-year-old Evelyn, 6-year-old Allison, and 5-year-old Amelia.
On September 17, police went to check on Hughes at her home and found her body along with her children’s.
The Indiana State Police sent detectives and crime scene investigators to the home. Police stated that the information and evidence they have shows there is no threat to the public.
While the investigation is still going on, authorities have not yet figured out what caused the tragedy, according to WSBT22. The Noble County Coroner’s Office has not released the cause of death or a toxicology report.
This heartbreaking news has deeply affected the close-knit community of Wolcottville, which has about 1,000 residents. As people learned the names of the family, many gathered to mourn and pay their respects. Main Street was filled with candles and stuffed animals, creating a touching tribute to the lost family.
Local pastor Mike Stanley told WSBT22, “Everybody’s grieving in their own way. If we come together and share that love… there are people here that I don’t know from the community, and I’ve lived here for twenty-some-odd years. But if we share the hurt, we share the burden; it all gets a little lighter for all of us.”
The children’s father, Jonathan Newell, set up a GoFundMe page to help with funeral costs. He also shared a moving statement. “These kids deserve so much more than I can provide for their burials. 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,” Jonathan wrote.
The community came together to support Jonathan and the children. By the end of the fundraising campaign, he had received an amazing $47,000 in donations. “People who didn’t even know me or my kids started just giving money and sending messages,” Jonathan told ABC57.
On Sunday, September 22, funeral services were held at Hite Funeral Home for the girls, followed by a burial at Swan Cemetery. In another update on September 24, Jonathan wrote, “The funeral was beautiful, and my daughters were laid to rest in peace. Please stop donating now; I appreciate everything, but others need this now. Tomorrow I will start personal thank yous again.”
At this point, no one knows for sure what happened to the girls, as nothing has been made public. However, interviews with Jonathan, the father, and Rebecca’s friends show that Rebecca struggled with mental health issues.
Friend Ashley Gross posted on Facebook, describing Rebecca as “quiet and shy” around strangers but “so funny and bubbly” with friends. She added, “Rebecca did love her kids, and unfortunately, I don’t think anyone was there for her as she was going through something, mentally and emotionally.”
In the wake of the tragedy, Jonathan has shared an important message. He expressed regret for not being more present and hopes others can avoid feeling the same way. “If you are a parent, and you have kids, and you need help, then get it. Because you don’t know when it’s going to be the last time you can,” he pleaded.
Prince William receives new title from King Charles as Prince Harry arrives in the UK
The beginning of this month marked an important development for the British royal family.
Prince Harry landed in London to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games, and during his stay in his home country, his brother, Prince William, received a significant new honour from King Charles. The timing seemed coincidental, but yet, many saw it as a major snub to Prince Harry.
The announcement from the Palace revealed that King Charles III has appointed Prince William as the colonel-in-chief of the Army Air Corps.
“His Majesty the King will officially hand over the role of Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps to His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales,” the palace’s statement read. “In August 2023, following His Majesty’s Accession, the King was pleased to announce military appointments including that the Prince of Wales would become Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps. The role was previously held by His Majesty the King, as Prince of Wales, for 31 years.”
William’s new role places him in charge of Harry’s former unit. In 2008, Harry completed his Army Air Corps “Grading” and Pilot’s Selection Board interview, subsequently training as an Army Air Corps pilot in 2009.
“On successful completion of that Army Pilots Course, Prince Harry was selected to train on the Apache Attack Helicopter,” Harry’s official biography before he was removed from the official royal family website read. “On the same day, it was announced that Prince Harry received his provisional wings from his father.” Charles was colonel-in-chief of the Army Air Corps at the time, making the ceremony extra meaningful for Harry.
The unveiling of Prince William’s new designation emerges during a period of increased public curiosity, partly influenced by the tense rapport between Prince Harry and his father. Speculation surrounding the nature of their exchanges, or the lack thereof, during Prince Harry’s recent trip to the U.K. underscores the intricacies of royal relationships.
During Harry’s most recent visit, he and his father, King Charles, didn’t meet due to the king’s “full programme.”
However, the statement by Prince Harry added that he “hopes to see him soon.”
Despite the strained relationships with the members of the Firm, Harry expressed his happiness about returning to the UK. Regarding the party, he described it as “amazing” and commended the work of Scotty’s, emphasizing the incredible and necessary support they provide to children.
“The more opportunity you get to do these kinds of events, the more the families and kids know this place exists which is really the most important thing,” Harry said, as reported by BBC.
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