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Wellington Dickens III is charged with four counts of murder for three of his biological children and an 18-year-old stepchild. Johnston County deputies said they found human remains in the trunk of a car and a 3-year-old who was alive inside the house at the time they responded to the call. 

Four NC children found dead in trunk of car identified; father tells 911 he killed them

<p>TO TURN ON THE PUSH ALERTS SO YOU CAN HAVE IMPORTANT WEATHER NOTIFICATIONS SENT RIGHT TO YOUR PHONE. &gt;&gt; ALL NEW REACTION TONIGHT AS JOHNSTON COUNTY NEIGHBORS GRAPPLE WITH THE REALITY. A HEINOUS CRIME HAPPENED RIGHT NEXT DOOR. THIRTY-SIX-YEAR-OLD WELLINGTON DIXON'S IS IN JAIL. ACCUSED OF KILLING HIS 4 CHILDREN MONTHS AGO. DEPUTIES SAY HE CALLED 9-1-1 HIMSELF TO CONFESS TO THE CRIME LAST NIGHT WRAL'S ERIC MILLER HAS BEEN FOLLOWING THE SHOCKING STORY FOR US TONIGHT. ERIC, IT'S EARLY IN EXPLICABLE BUT DO WE HAVE ANY SENSE OF A MOTIVE TONIGHT? ALINA, WE'VE BEEN TALKING TO DICKENS FAMILY TO NEIGHBORS HERE ON SPRING TO THRIVE, TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT EXACTLY HAPPENED HERE. &gt;&gt; DICKENS UNCLE POINT OUT THE FACT THAT HE IS IN IRAQ, WAR VET AND EXPERIENCE THAT CERTAINLY CHANGED AND NEIGHBORS HERE POINT OUT THAT DICKENS HAD LOST HIS WIFE, SON LEAVE NOT LONG AGO. STILL, THERE'S BEEN NOTHING FROM DICKENS HIMSELF OR FROM THE JOHNSTON COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE TO EXPLAIN HOW A MAN COULD KILL 4 OF HIS OWN CHILDREN AND LEAVE A 5TH ALIVE. AND NOW ALONE. &gt;&gt; INSIDE WILLINGTON DICKENS HOME TUESDAY NIGHT AND TEBOW FEDS THAT WILL NEVER BE FULLY GAME. INVESTIGATORS FINALLY LEFT THE SCENE OF THIS CRIME AROUND 07:30PM. BUT NEIGHBORS LIKE DEBORAH RILEY, WHO LIVES RIGHT NEXT DOOR. WE'RE STILL TRYING TO PUT THE PIECES TOGETHER. &gt;&gt; MY HEART BREAKS FOR THE CHILDREN AND FOR THE 3 YEAR-OLD THAT'S LEFT BECAUSE HE HAS NO PARENTS OR SIMPLY THAT'S LEFT. &gt;&gt; RILEY SAYS DICKENS HAD CHANGED SIGNIFICANTLY SINCE HIS WIFE DIED IN CHILDBIRTH LAST YEAR. &gt;&gt; BECAME MORE OF A RECLUSE, I GUESS MAYBE THEY'RE PERFECT WORD. YOU JUST NEVER SAW HIM OUTSIDE AS MUCH. YOU NEVER SAW THE CHILDREN OUTSIDE AS MUCH. HE DID STATE THAT HIS WIFE WAS MORE OR LESS THE BACKBONE OF THE FAMILY THAT SHE TOOK CARE OF THE CHILDREN. SHE HOME SCHOOLED AND PREPARED THE MEALS TOOK CARE OF THE HOUSEHOLD. &gt;&gt; ACCORDING TO THE JOHNSTON COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE FOR WHOSE CHILDREN AGES 6, 9, IN 10, ALONG WITH DICKENS, 18 YEAR-OLD STEPSON WERE FOUND STUFFED IN THE TRUNK OF A CAR. A DICKENS HOLD COURT DOCUMENTS SUGGEST THEY'VE BEEN THERE FOR MONTHS. &gt;&gt; IT'S BEEN THERE, RICK. IT'S BEEN EMOTIONAL. &gt;&gt; CHERIE BURTON, WHO ALSO LIVES NEXT DOOR TO DICKENS SAYS SHE HAD NOTICED SOMETHING STRANGE DICKENS HOUSE OF THE LAST FEW MONTHS. &gt;&gt; HE STARTED TO LEAVE. HE'S GOT A LOT TO DO UP FROM THE GROUND UP PROBABLY ABOUT TO END IT ON THE GROUND. &gt;&gt; SHE ALSO SAYS ONE POINT HER SON, DAKOTA, WITH OF SOMETHING AWFUL. &gt;&gt; BECAUSE HE SAID I WAS THEY DIDN'T. BUT YOU'VE GOT TO DO. &gt;&gt; FOR HER PART THAT RILEY SAYS SHE WISHES SHE COULD HAVE DONE SOMETHING. ANYTHING TO KEEP THESE HORROR FROM COMING TO THIS. NOW EMPTY HOUSE. &gt;&gt; THE WAY THE WORLD JUST NOT THE WAY IT USED TO BE WHERE. YOU TALK TO YOUR NEIGHBORS, YOU CHECKED ON THEM. AGAIN. THAT'S SOMETHING I'LL REGRET. &gt;&gt; DICKENS MADE HIS FIRST APPEARANCE IN COURT ON ONE MURDER CHARGE HERE THIS AFTERNOON. HE'LL BE BACK IN COURT FOR 3 OTHER MURDER CHARGES. FIRST APPEARANCES THERE TOMORROW AFTERNOON AS WELL. THAT'S THE RESULT OF THE TIMING ON WHEN THOSE CHARGES CAME DOWN TODAY IN ZEBULON THERE, MILLER, WRAL, NEWS, TRAGIC STORY ALL THE WAY AROUND. &gt;&gt; WE WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT DICKENS IN ANY CRIMINAL HISTORY. HE MAY HAVE. HE DOES HAVE ANOTHER MISDEMEANOR CHILD ABUSE CHARGE THAT ONE IN 2015, ONE MONTH AFTER HE WAS MARRIED. BUT THE CASE WAS DISMISSED BECAUSE THE ALLEGED VICTIM DIDN'T SHOW UP IN COURT. MOST OF THE CHARGES WE FOUND AGAINST THEM INVOLVED TRAFFIC TICKETS. WE ALSO LEARNED THAT DICKENS FATHER DIED IN A CRASH IN 2023. THEN HIS WIFE DIED IN 2024. HER OBITUARY ONLY SAYS SHE DIED SUDDENLY AT HOME. THE BUREAU'S ASHLEY ROSE SPOKE WITH DICKENS, GREAT UNCLE THIS AFTERNOON. HE SAID THE DICKENS SERVED IN IRAQ AND IT'S STRUGGLED MENTALLY EVER SENSE. &gt;&gt; WE DO IT ALONE FOR HIM. WHAT KIND OF PROBLEM? &gt;&gt; YOU KNOW, I WOULD LIKE TO SAY HE WAS IN THE SERVICE. JEN. AND HEAR RESISTED CHAMBER COACHING. &gt;&gt; WRAL IS CHECKING WITH LOCAL SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES TO SEE IF THEY HAD ANY INVOLVEMENT WITH THE FAMILY. THOSE RECORDS ARE CONFIDENTIAL. HOWEVER, AGENCIES CAN RELEASE THEM AFTER</p>

Johnston County father charged in murder of four children

Neighbors describe change in Johnston County man accused of killing children after wife's death

Wellington Dickens III appeared in court on Tuesday afternoon.

Category 5 Hurricane Melissa brings flooding and catastrophic winds to Jamaica

Hurricane Melissa makes landfall in Jamaica

'Dangerous' social media posts spark concern in Durham ahead of Election Day

Wanted poster 

Unseasonably cool, drizzly weather comes ahead of next weather-maker Wednesday night

Next weather-maker to pass through North Carolina Wednesday night

Belichick: UNC football GM Lombardi's work to improve program is 'monumental'

UNC coach Bill Belichick

Two arrested in connection with Rocky Mount dealership break-in and multi-county car thefts

Houston Vance (left) and Jabari Rogers (right)

Rock Quarry Road closure rescheduled until November for Complete 540 project

Road closed sign

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Public documents show that in 2016, Wellington Dickens III and his wife refused critical medical care for a newborn and later refused to let social workers see the child.

NC father charged with murder of 4 children had prior accusation of neglect or abuse of child

Wellington Delano Dickens III is charged with murder.

A woman from the Triangle is having a memorable trip experience in Jamaica, just not for reasons she predicted thanks to Hurricane Melissa. 

'God protect us': Chapel Hill woman's education trip to Jamaica derailed by Hurricane Melissa

Hurricane Melissa hits Jamaica

Hurricane Melissa makes landfall on Tuesday as the deadliest Category 5 storm to slam Jamaica.

Hurricane Melissa blows through Jamaica bringing damaging winds, flooding and life threatening storm surge.

APTOPIX Jamaica Extreme Weather

Wayne and Bridgette Todd are newlyweds from Halifax County and were on their honeymoon in Jamaica when they learned Melissa would not only disrupt their fun, but also put them in the middle of a life-threatening situation.

Halifax couple honeymooning in Jamaica ask for prayers as Hurricane Melissa makes landfall

NC couple in Jamaica during Hurricane Melissa

The school board is also considering amending the policy to comply with a new state law and to ensure students can still bring personal laptops to school.


Wake school board updating cellphone, devices policy in light of confusion, state law

North Carolina school districts work to adjust cellphone rules and statewide ban

Five homes collapsed in Buxton on Tuesday, according to a person close to the situation.

Five oceanfront homes collapse in Buxton

Homes collapse at Outer Banks

The USDA told states last week that it wouldn't be using roughly $6 billion in federal contingency funds to keep the SNAP program running for November.

AG Jackson announces lawsuit over potential cuts to SNAP benefits

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The suspect in a double murder in Hoke County was found dead in Columbus County Monday night, authorities said.


Authorities track murder suspect from Hoke County to Lake Waccamaw suicide

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GOP lawmakers are violating the First Amendment rights of eastern North Carolina voters, a new lawsuit claims, by eliminating the state's only competitive congressional district. Voters in that district supported Republican President Donald Trump in 2024 but also Democratic U.S. Rep. Don Davis.

Another lawsuit challenges NC redistricting, this time using new legal theory of 'retaliation'

Election_2026_Redistricting_North_Carolina_20651

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) â The Israeli army launched a barrage of attacks in Gaza on Tuesday as tensions with Hamas grew two weeks into a fragile ceasefire, and the militant group responded by saying it would delay handing over the body of a hostage. At least seven Palestinians were killed, health officials said.

Gaza ceasefire tested as Israel and Hamas exchange fire and blame

APTOPIX_Israel_Palestinians_Gaza_89166

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Before you grab that last-minute costume at a Halloween pop-up shop this year, the Better Business Bureau has three tips to help you save money.


Three tips for shopping at Halloween pop-up shops

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Prepare for a spooktacular Halloween with favorable weather ahead. A front will bring rain midweek, but clears out just in time for the thrilling spooky night. 

Chilly temps and mostly clear skies provide a perfect trick-or-treat night

Halloween forecast as of Sunday, 10/26/2025

Melissa is just the ninth Category 5 hurricane to happen in the Atlantic in October (or later). 

Ask the Meteorologist: How rare is a Category 5 hurricane this late in the year?

IR satellite imagery of Hurricane Melissa at 5 a.m. Tuesday, 10/28/2025

As Halloween approaches, the Better Business Bureau and other experts warn that scammers are ramping up efforts.


The real Halloween scare: Halloween and digital scams to know about this holiday season

A file photo of someone counting money.

The Blue Ridge Parkway is a scenic route that runs 469 miles through 29 Virginia and North Carolina counties. 

Blue Ridge Parkway: How to visit and what you can do

Blue Ridge Parkway - Places to Visit in North Carolina. Photo:Big Stock

When do trick-or-treaters hit the streets this Halloween? We have the answer for nearly three dozen communities in the region.

When is trick-or-treat this year? Friday, Oct. 31

Celebrating Halloween safely

Don't Miss It

Neighbors told WRAL's Willie Daniely their community is becoming unrecognizable. 

5 homes collapse in one day in Buxton

NC attorney general sues USDA over food stamp funding

North Carolinians stuck in Jamaica as Hurricane Melissa passes through 

NC attorney general sues USDA after pausing SNAP benefits

Durham leaders express concern over 'dangerous' social media posts

Tar Heel Traveler: High Point Furniture Market

Video Central

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Report: More people moving to downtown Raleigh

Local News

I-95 southbound lanes reopened in Johnston County after tractor-trailer crash

Durham caregiver charged with exploiting elderly, accused of financial theft from client's account

Change coming to Wake County EMS: Ambulances to silence sirens, turn off lights for most 911 calls

One dead after crash on NC-50 in Johnston County Monday night

US launches strikes on 4 alleged drug-running boats in the eastern Pacific, killing 14

Nation/World

Texas attorney general sues Tylenol makers, claiming links to autism

Isolated flight delays may spread as air traffic controllers go without pay during shutdown

PayPal and UPS help lead US stocks to more records

Amazon cuts 14,000 corporate jobs as spending on artificial intelligence accelerates

100+ events in NC to enjoy this November

November events list graphic (Canva)

Weekend best bets: Halloween fun, Whirligig Festival

Creator of Wilson's whirligigs releases new book 

Out & About

Fact check: Democrats claim Leavitt said White House ballroom is Trump's 'main priority'

Politifact

Fact check: Trump says 50% of US presidents have invoked the Insurrection Act

Fact check: How many US residency spots are held by immigrants with H-1B visas?

Fact check: Trump says small children get 80 different vaccines

Raleigh social services group to furlough 250 in NC due to federal shutdown

NC Capitol

How they voted: NC congressional votes for the week ending Oct. 23

Lawsuit targets new NC congressional map. More challenges could be on the way

Legal challenges expected after new congressional maps approved

Legal challenges against new NC congressional map in the works as Davis considers next move

Fire-damaged school turns a Sears into classrooms

Education

Caught on camera: Smoke engulfs Wayne County school bus, cause likely mechanical

Witness: Bus driver's 'awesome job' saved 21 kids when bus caught fire

Teacher of the Week: Chip Shea

More oversight, more resources: Wake schools sets plan for compliance with federal special education laws

Johnston Regional Airport hopes to pioneer FAA's next-gen digital air traffic control

WRAL In Depth

Bipartisan effort underway in NC to give you rights over what data companies collect and share about you

More layoffs proposed at the U.S. Department of Education. How could they affect NC schools?

Moms who overcame addiction helping others through growing statewide network

Man says he lost $200K to executives at center of WRAL investigation

Hurricanes get Gostisbehere back against Vegas, then lose him early again to extend injury woes

WRALSportsFan

Eichel's 2 late goals help Vegas Golden Knights beat Carolina Hurricanes 6-3

NBA on NBC is loaded with star-studded matchups

NC State's Dave Doeren vows to 'fight' for players, program amid losing streak

ACC men's basketball banking on schedule changes, investments to restore league's luster

(1) D.H. Conley avenges (2) Cardinal Gibbons loss, wins 7A East title in a five-set thriller

HighSchoolOT

(1) Watauga knocks off (2) Kings Mountain in five to advance to 6A state championship

Scores from Tuesday's NCHSAA Volleyball Regional Finals

2025 NCHSAA Volleyball State Championship Matchups: Here are the start times, locations

Live 2025 NCHSAA volleyball state playoff brackets

Monday is National American Beer Day, and one local couple is celebrating the day through their own business. WRAL's Tar Heel Traveler captures the unique way they got started and their passion for brewing.

Tar Heel Traveler: Deep River Brewing 

While the Federal Aviation Administration is facing an air traffic controller shortage, it's testing a modern alternative to the traditional air traffic control system called a remote tower. The head of Johnston Regional Airport wants to be "first in flight" once this digital remote tower takes off.

Remote control: Solution for safer skies?

As Halloween approaches, the Better Business Bureau and other experts warn that scammers are ramping up efforts.

How to protect yourself from Halloween scams

Video shared with WRAL News shows the moment a lithium-ion battery caught fire inside a home, feet away from a dog. WRAL anchor/reporter Dan Haggerty answered viewer questions about the batteries and their potential dangers.

In Depth with Dan: Answering viewer questions about lithium-ion batteries after Chapel Hill house fire

Dog bites lithium-ion battery, sparks fire inside Chapel Hill home

WRAL Investigates on similar parties in Orange and Person counties, which resulted in charges related to underage drinking for partygoers and a property owner. The venues are different, but the concerns are the same.

WRAL Investigates the push for solutions to farm parties

WRAL Specialists

Free breakfast for first responders: Wear uniform or bring ID to McDonald's Tuesday

Travel experts: Book your holiday flights this week for the best deals

Restaurant Ratings: Hibachi Grill Supreme Buffet, Drum & Quill and Jordana's Pizzeria

Inflation reports offers good news, bad news. Here's where you can save.

5 On Your Side

NC lawmakers push to make companies tell you what they're doing with your data

Man's complaints about Durham road haven't led to action at city level

'It's a racetrack': Dangerous Durham road bothered man for years before deadly hit-and-run

Deadly hit-and-run suspect was in country illegally, ICE says

Investigations

Guest column: Dysfunctional government stalls innovation

Grace Ueng: The leadership metronome

Qualcomm Unveils New Line of Chips to Join the AI Boom

Software merger makes it easier to make beer in NC

WRAL TechWire

Elon Musk launches Grokipedia to compete with online encyclopedia Wikipedia

UPS cuts 48,000 jobs in the year to date as its turnaround continues

OpenAI may move forward with new business structure, partnership with Microsoft, regulators say

Private donors gave more than $125M to keep foreign aid programs going after US cuts

Business

Powerball

Mega Millions

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Keeping kids visible and pets from escaping on Halloween

Family

Halloween 2025 restaurant freebies & deals 

Explore the Triangle's spooktacular displays: From singing skeletons to haunted houses

By the Numbers: Why trick-or-treaters may bag more gummy candy than chocolate this Halloween

Eastern NC communities worried about rise in violence if SNAP benefits don't come in

Top Amazon Deals: Crayola LED Kids Drawing Light Board only $14.92 (57% off), Hanes Men's Sweatpants only $9.00 (57% off), Roadbox Men's UPF 50+ Shirt only $8.49 (72% off), Remote Control Race Stunt Car only $13.49 (50% off)

SmartShopper

Walmart Black Friday Events announced: First one starts Nov. 14

Sam's Club 12-Month Membership only $15 (70% off)

List of top grocery deals valid October 22-28

Target Deals: 50% off Champion women's clothing, Up to 30% off kids' clothing 

Tar Heel Traveler: State Fair Sheep Show

Tar Heel Traveler: Sounds of the North Carolina State Fair

Tar Heel Traveler: State Fair Art Show

Tar Heel Traveler: Bartholomews

Tar Heel Traveler: State Fair Tin Type Photography

Tar Heel Traveler

Foxx Development Holdings Inc. - Common Stock (NQ:FOXX)

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