A North Carolina father called 911 on Monday evening, October 27, 2025, confessing to killing his four children, whose remains investigators discovered in the trunk of a car inside his Zebulon home’s garage. Wellington Delano Dickens III, 38, now faces four counts of murder after authorities found the bodies of three of his biological children and one stepchild, all homeschooled and isolated from the outside world for months.
The grim discovery came after Dickens contacted Johnston County 911, telling the dispatcher he had killed his children. When deputies arrived at the home on Springtooth Drive, about 25 miles east of Raleigh, they found exactly what he described. The remains appeared to have been there for an extended period, according to Johnston County Sheriff Steve Bizzell.
In the newly released 911 recording, Dickens told the dispatcher: “I killed my children. It’s a lot to explain, but in a nutshell, it’s probably my fault … It’s my fault. It’s bad.” He continued, explaining that the situation had spiraled beyond his control. “It just started as me over-disciplining,” he admitted during the call.
The victims were identified as Leah Dickens, 6; Zoe Dickens, 9; Wellington Dickens IV, 10; and Sean Brasfield, 18, Dickens’ stepson. Investigators determined through interviews that the deaths occurred over several months, not simultaneously. Bizzell established a timeline showing Leah died first in May 2025, Zoe in August, Wellington IV in late August or early September, and Sean last in September.
Sean Brasfield’s father, who requested anonymity, told reporters he never imagined such a tragedy would occur. The 18-year-old had cerebral palsy and was blind in one eye. His father described him as a great kid, adding that he had been cut off from contact with his son around 2014 when Sean’s mother began dating Dickens. The family members who tried calling to check on the children found their calls went unanswered.
Deputies found Dickens’ 3-year-old son alive and unharmed inside the home, as the father had indicated during his 911 call. The toddler was taken by the Division of Social Services for medical evaluation and emergency placement. Strict privacy laws prevent officials from disclosing details about the child’s current situation or the placement hearing that followed.
During his confession call, Dickens told the dispatcher he beat the children sometimes and withheld food as punishment. He indicated he had not used knives or firearms in the killings. When asked about substance use, he acknowledged smoking and drinking champagne before making the call. He also made a religious reference, stating that God had influenced him to make the confession.
The family’s isolation had deepened following the death of Dickens’ wife, Stephanie Rae Jones Dickens, on April 21, 2024. She died at home from complications of a miscarriage while three months pregnant. Dickens had told authorities that his wife experienced severe bleeding the night before her death, but refused medical treatment. Deputies and emergency workers who responded to that incident determined her death was natural.
Neighbors told investigators they rarely saw the family come outside after Stephanie’s death. The children were homeschooled and confined to the house, creating a situation where extended family members were not welcome to visit. Captain Don Pate noted that the family was extremely secluded, which helped conceal the children’s deaths for months.
Court records reveal the family had a history of refusing medical treatment. In 2016, WakeMed reported Dickens and his wife to the North Carolina Division of Social Services after they left the hospital with their newborn daughter against medical advice. The infant suffered from jaundice, a condition that can cause brain damage in newborns. When social workers attempted home visits, Dickens refused to let them see the child. Authorities eventually arrested him, and he remained jailed until complying with a judge’s order to take his daughter to a clinic.
Dickens also filed multiple lawsuits against Durham County, WakeMed, and Wake County, attempting to recoup child support payments and alleging civil rights violations. None of the lawsuits succeeded, according to court records.
The suspect appeared in court on Tuesday for one murder count and again on Wednesday for the remaining three charges. He was seen clutching a Division of Social Services document relating to his surviving son’s placement. Michelle Moore, his court-appointed attorney from the capital defender’s office, declined to comment on the case.
Bizzell stated that investigators have not yet determined a motive for the killings. The state medical examiner’s office continues working to establish how each child died. As the sheriff, father, and grandfather, Bizzell emphasized that there is no reason for a father to murder his children.
Dickens’ great uncle told local media that the suspect is an Iraq War veteran. The defendant remains held without bond at the Johnston County Jail, with his next court appearance scheduled for November 13. Each murder charge carries the possibility of life in prison without parole or death. Johnston County District Attorney Jason Waller indicated the investigation remains active and ongoing.
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services released a statement expressing condolences and confirming they are working with law enforcement and other agencies to support the investigation. The agency conducts case reviews of child fatalities related to maltreatment from parents or caregivers, but provides no additional information about this specific case.