Raleigh breaking news and weather, Raleigh North Carolina news today, WRAL 7-day forecasts, NC lottery updates. WRAL news in Raleigh, NC.

WRAL.com

Johnston County Sheriff Steve Bizzell said Tuesday that Wellington Delano Dickens III, who is charged with killing three of his children and a stepson, committed the crimes over a period of months.


Sheriff: 4 children killed over course of months at Johnston County home. Father charged with murder

<p>Good morning ladies and gentlemen. Thank you for being with us this morning. Uh, I'm Steve Biso. I'm the sheriff here in Johnston County. Uh, our district attorney Jason Waller is on the left. Chief Deputy Jeff, uh, Caldwell is on the right, and, uh, the CID, uh, investigator and the captain of the CID division, Don, uh, is also on the left here. Uh, we just want to give him a recap of the situation we've been on dealing with this week. On Monday, uh, October 27th, just, uh, at around 10:09, we received a call in the communication of an individual that identified himself as Wellington Delano Dicker the Third who was living at 101 Spring Toth Drive in Zeblelin. Ah Mr. Dickens stated he had killed 4 of his children and uh pretty much they were in the trunk of his vehicle there in the garage at the home and that his 3 year old son was there with Mr. Dicker in the home at that time. Deputies responded, located uh Dickens and the 3 year old son at the residence. DSS uh was called the 3 year old son was alive. And DSS uh took the son for medical evaluation and I can uh share with you that he is safe. A preliminary investigation believed to be what was human bodies in the trunk of the vehicle located in the garage as Dickens had earlier said. The victim appeared to have been deceased and in the trunk of that vehicle for some time. Detectives were Called and a search warrant was obtained. Our investigation folks determined that six year old Leah Dickers was the first child killed by her own father. And that death was believed to have occurred in May of 2025. Zoe Dickens, the 2nd victim, was 9 years of age and is estimated that her death occurred in August of this year also. Wellington Dick is the 4th was his father's 3rd victim being killed in late August or early September. The 4th victim was Dickens's stepson Sean Brasfield, who was killed sometime in September as well. All the children in the home were apparently home schooled. Investigators with the Johnson County Sheriff's Office, the State Bureau of Investigation, and State Medical Examiner's office are continuing this investigation. The body were removed from the trunk yesterday and are at the medical examiner's office for an autopsy. Wellington Delano Dickers the 3rd is charged with 4 counts of murder in the death of his daughter Leah, his daughter Zoe, his son Wellington Dickers the 4th, and the murder of his stepson Sean Brasfield. He is currently in a detention center without bond. Investigators also learned that Wellington's wife had died in April on April 21st of 2024. On this date, uh, uh, deputies arrived at the same address to assist EMS in a call there. Deputy determined that 37-year-old Stephanie Ray Jones was found deceased by Wellington Delano Dickers III. It was learned Ms. Jones was 3 months pregnant and had experienced excessive bleeding the night prior but refused to go for medical treatment. Investigators respond, uh, responded that night, uh, to the scene, continued the investigation, and it was determined Ms. Jones died from the complications from a miscarriage and doctors ruled her death as natural. This is an active and angle and ongoing investigation with the possibility of additional charges being filed. Additional information will be released uh to y'all at a uh time that is appropriate as this investigation, you know, continues. Folks, there's no known motive at this point why Mr. Dickens murdered these, uh, children. But as the sheriff, as a father and as a grandfather, I can stand here and say there's no reason for a father to murder his children. I do want to thank everyone that has assisted us on this case. FBI director, uh, was on the scene yesterday morning uh himself. He assigned investigators at our request to assist us with the crime scene, which was uh tough. SBI agents were there, the crime scene investigators were there. Our detectives were there. Our district attorney was on the scene also as well as myself. Uh, the captain and the chief deputy. The medical examiner's office, always great to work with it, but especially in this case involving the death of 4 children. DSS I want to thank them. I want to thank the colonel of the highway patrol that reached out anything you need the director of ALE reached out to me. Anything y'all need the FBI reached out and for the director of the FBI to go to the scene himself speaks volumes about the relationship and the partnerships that we all share in any investigation. But especially in an investigation involving the death of 4 children, I would tell you I was on the scene yesterday. Uh, and I saw our investigators, the FBI agents, uh, the captain, the chief deputy, the district attorney, all standing out in the rain under a tent, but we were there for a purpose. And that was to investigate and to put this man behind bars. I would tell you it was tough on our investigators. We have young investigators that were on the scene yesterday. They're young, they've got young families, they got uh children of their own. I've got children and grandchildren and so does everybody that's standing up here with me today. I will tell you, uh, I asked for you in the public's prayers not only for these victims but also for other uh family members but also for the law enforcement officer to come to work every day. And to do what I witnessed yesterday, yes, that is what we do and yes, that's what we get paid to do, but folks, we're human too, and I didn't get a lot of sleep last night. I talked to several of the detectives this morning and they didn't either. I do want to thank, uh, the public for the outpouring of support for prayers and their text and their phone calls. Say thank y'all for what you do. Uh, it is tough. Thank y'all for being here today. I'm gonna turn it over now to our district attorney Jason Waller. I Good morning ladies and gentlemen, and thank you for being here. Just before midnight on Monday, I got a call from Captain Donate to the sheriff's office, and he said words that no district attorney ever wants to hear. That we have a death investigation involving children. Under the rules of professional conduct, I am limited in what I can share with you about this ongoing investigation. However, I want to speak to you today not only is the district attorney of Johnston County. But as a father and a member of this community. My heart breaks for these children. Who have been subject to violence and murder and for everyone who loves them. Over the past two days I have worked closely with Sheriff Bisle, Chief Deputy Jeff Caldwell, and Captain Pate, and the men and women of the Johnston County Sheriff's Office along with Director Chip Hawley and the dedicated agents of the State Bureau of Investigation. Their tireless work in the face of such tragedy reflects the very best of law enforcement and the strength of interagency partnerships. Together they are conducting a thorough and professional investigation to uncover the truth and to ensure accountability through the justice system. Thank you, Sheriff for your work. Thank you for putting the children first and our community first. As we continue to move forward. I joined our entire community in mourning the loss of 4 innocent lives. The outpouring of love and support for these children has been overwhelming. And I want to assure you that those expressions of care. And your calls for justice have been heard. At this stage, the investigation remains active and ongoing. When the investigation is complete, my office will review the evidence and carefully proceed in accordance with the law and the facts. As a career prosecutor who has prosecuted both capital and non-capital murders, I understand the importance of patience and precision in this process. Justice is not achieved through haste, but through diligence, integrity, and unwavering commitment to the truth. The loss we face is unimaginable. The responsibility before us is great. And I can promise you this, I recognize the horror you're all experiencing hearing about this crime. And my office will honor the memory of these children by pursuing justice with strength, compassion, and the respect for the rule of law. Thank you again for being here. We're gonna take a few uh uh other questions if you've got some as was both said by myself and the DA. This is an active ongoing investigation and uh we're kindly reluctant to say more than we've already said if you got a few questions, if we can assist you, we will. Are there any plans to exhume Mr. Dickens' wife's remains? Not, not at this point. I don't wanna hold our WTVD, uh, you mentioned just the separation of dates for the deaths of these children. Uh, were they all believed to be in the trunk at the time of their deaths and with their bodies intact? I would tell you due to the ongoing investigation that's a good question, but, uh, I would tell you, uh, we're gonna, we're gonna be able to holding that right now. Just more about the timing, was that information that you learned from Mr. Dickens? That is information that we that we uh received from interviews, yes. And based on the preliminary investigation, do you know the cause of death at this point, how he's accused of medical examiner's office is going to assist us with that, and, um, and they have been great to work with too. And we understand Mr. Dickens did call 911. Do we know what led him to call 911? We're hearing reports that maybe he was being blackmailed the sorcer. No, I think, um, my, my personal opinion is something got to him and he was just ready to give it up, ready to turn himself in and pretty much called and said I'm here. I'm here with my little 3 year old son. I killed my 4 children. Their bodies were in the trunk of the car. I'll be glad to go outside and wait for deputies. I'm not armed. I'm just ready to do what's right. And was that interaction pretty? I mean, we all showed up to the scene to be up here to be cooperative or abs. I know you mentioned that the children were homeschooled, but have you learned about anybody else trying to reach out to them since they started going missing? Um, there was, uh, uh, a call made by family members in the past, but, uh, that apparently went and, you know, returned we did, uh, canvass the neighborhood yesterday detectives went from house to house, talked to everyone, got any information we could get. Uh, it appeared they want a lot of activity at the house in the past. They, uh, you were home schooled. The mother had died, uh, and I guess the father and the kids were living in the house and, um, they're in conditions that are unimaginable. Yes, the father of the 18 year old, have he reached out to you guys? Have you talked to him a lot? Has he been trying to reach out to his son to talk with him? No, um, we're still in the process, um, with obtaining that. He was, he is in the military and we're still trying to get records for that at this point. Could you tell us more about that call, um, that was made by the family members? I'm sorry, yeah, could you tell us more about that call that was made by? I would tell you, uh, after the district attorney and staff gets a chance to review uh the call in detail, uh, we were discussing releasing that, uh, call in a timely manner. Have you ever seen a case like this before? Uh, not exactly like this, uh, uh, we had the case, uh, the Warren children outside of the town of, uh, Princeton back, uh, in the early, uh, 2000s, and that one still sticks in my mind, uh, today, but you know, even that case, uh, there was the death of, uh, three children in this case you got the death of 4 children. That was conducted by the father and the stepfather of one of the kids so you know I mean what father wants to kill their own kids, you know, just a sad day. And you mentioned the the conditions of the home as well just as a father, as a grandfather when detectives first arrived to that home, how did it feel? What was your reaction to seeing that? Donna let you speak to that. Um, upon arriving, um, there is an odor, uh, there that was obvious of decay when we, um, arrived. The conditions of the home were, um, not well kept, but it wasn't, um, too bad inside there. So that's kind of what we saw, um, when we arrived. You can tell that some activities, criminal activities happen inside the residence, not at the vehicle. What about the, the trunk when you saw that? Um, we weren't able to tell a whole lot there just from time and um just the process of death. So that's part we're just having to. Find out from the medical examiner through their assistance. Can you explain what you mean by there's evidence of criminal activity? Um, we've just had evidence where scenes have been attempted to be cleaned up inside. What happens now to the surviving child? Um, DSS will have a process and uh they will determine that. That will be something they they will have in their control. Any any idea as to how the deaths were able to be consumed for so long and if DSS had any involvement with his family prior to just the other day with his youngest child. I can't speak to any process that DSS has been. I'm not aware of that, um, but I think they were just very secluded. They just stayed inside, uh, everybody we talked to the family. Um, was not allowed, extended family were not allowed to come and see the children and the neighbors said they never saw them come outside. I just, and they were homeschooled, so they were just confined to the house. Jason, anything else you gotta add? Again, thank y'all for being with us today. I know your hearts are broken like ours, uh. Yesterday was a sad day, uh, at least there's a closure and, um, thank you all again for being here today. Thank you for all you do. Thank you</p>

Children_Killed_North_Carolina_67479

Johnston sheriff explains search, case against father charged with murdering 4 of his children

Wellington Dickens III appeared in court on Tuesday afternoon.

Hurricane Melissa leaves 25 dead in Haiti, causes widespread damage in Jamaica and Cuba

Cuba_Extreme_Weather_95090

New lawsuit filed against Durham company accused of not paying employees

A lawsuit filed by seven former employees against CJF America remains unserved, while the company's president recently missed a court appearance. Meanwhile, law enforcement agencies are continuing to investigate the Durham-based company.

Foster families shaken by murders of couple, suicide of foster son

Hoke County murder scene

Five oceanfront homes collapse in Buxton during windy day at Outer Banks

Buxton oceanfront homes on verge of collapse

NC DMV wait times have plummeted, officials say ahead of lawmaker grilling

People line up at the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles office.

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

Next weather-maker to pass through North Carolina Wednesday night

WRAL News+

WRAL News+ Live Thumbnail

WRAL WeatherCenter Forecast

Time to fall back! Daylight Saving Time ends 2 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 2.


Turn your clocks back this weekend: Daylight Saving Time ends Nov. 2

Miniature alarm clock

U.S. lawmakers have tried four times since September last year to close what they called a glaring loophole: China is getting around export bans on the sale of powerful American AI chips by renting them through U.S. cloud services instead.

US government allowed and even helped US firms sell tech used for surveillance in China, AP finds

China-US-Digital_Cage-Legal_Loophole_29414

WRAL's Opinion section was launched in 2016 by Capitol Broadcasting Company to raise awareness of important statewide issues, fostering meaningful discussions and encouraging civic engagement to drive positive change for North Carolinians. As part of this initiative, Dennis Draughon has served as the company's editorial cartoonist since 2017, bringing sharp visual commentary to the platform. 

With a 38-year career that began at the former Raleigh Times, Draughon has also contributed to The Scranton Times-Tribune, The Durham News, The Fayetteville Observer and The (N.C.) Insider. His work has earned him several prestigious awards, including the 1993 Fischetti Award for Distinguished Achievement in editorial cartoons and the 1999 Golden Spike Award from the American Association of Editorial Cartoonists. More recently, he received Editor & Publisher Magazine's EPPY Award for best editorial/political cartoons, recognizing his impact in the digital news landscape. 

Through his work, Draughon continues to provide insightful and thought-provoking illustrations that enrich WRAL's Opinion section and engage readers across North Carolina.

DRAUGHON DRAWS: Peace looks for a nesting ground

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) â Israel's military said Wednesday that the ceasefire was back on in Gaza after it carried out heavy airstrikes overnight across the Palestinian territory that killed 104 people, including 46 children, according to local health officials.

Israel's military says ceasefire is back on as death toll from overnight strikes in Gaza reaches 104

Israel_Palestinians_Gaza_88941

You might be familiar with traditional estate planning, but there's also what's called digital estate planning. Consumer Reports has five things to do right now to make things easier in a crisis.


5 On Your Side: How to plan your digital estate for peace of mind

Stock, generic man sitting in front of laptop, technology. Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash

Leaders in Durham are sounding the alarm about political rhetoric they believe could incite violence. Social media posts have alluded to the guillotine and placed candidates' faces on Wanted posters.


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

Wanted poster 

Wayne and Bridgette Todd were on their delayed honeymoon for their one-year anniversary 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 celebrating anniversary in Jamaica asks for prayers after Hurricane Melissa

NC couple in Jamaica during Hurricane Melissa

North Carolina football coach Bill Belichick and general manager Michael Lombardi joined the program together in December. Lombardi is the highest-paid general manager in the sport.

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

UNC coach Bill Belichick

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

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

View WRAL's latest top news

MIX 101.5 WRAL-FM

95.7 That Station

99.9 The Fan

Police said a father called 911 to confess he'd killed his children. As a new dad, I'm shaken.


Lovingood: Being a parent also means feeling pain for someone else's kids during tragic stories

Parent and child holding hands with hearts

The wind speed along the Sanford Simpson scale dictates the category of a storm, and we can predict what kind of damage will be done based on how strong the winds will be. 

How much damage wind can do depending on hurricane's category

Wind damage

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

Photos: Hurricane Melissa blows through Jamaica with catastrophic winds, flooding, storm surge

Jamaica_Extreme_Weather_79449

The record for longest consecutive hours at Category 5 was set by a hurricane in the 1930s.

Ask the Meteorologist: How did Melissa stay Category 5 for so long?

Melissa was tied as the strongest landfalling hurricane on record in the Atlantic

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

S113742375-300

Don't Miss It

Johnston County Sheriff Steve Bizzell said Tuesday that Wellington Delano Dickens III, who is charged with killing three of his children and a stepson, committed the crimes over a period of months. 

Zebulon man killed 4 children over course of months, Johnston County sheriff says

Teacher of the Week: Emily Swanson

Some buildings in Jamaica are intact so far. There's a reason why

Live picture from Montego Bay showing structures post-Hurricane Melissa landfall

Amazon cuts 14,000 positions as it embraces changes brought about by AI

REFEED AMAZON TO LAY OFF 14000 WORKERS ROMANS

North Texas principal apologizes after singling out Black students for school's performance

PRINCIPAL BLAMES BLACK STUDENTS FOR SCHOOL PERFORMANCE

Caught on cam: U-Haul chase ends in crash, arrest

FL: VIDEO: U-HAUL CHASE ENDS IN CRASH, ARREST

Video Central

WRAL 6am News | October 29

6am Newscast Static

WRAL 9am News | October 28

9am Newscast Static

WRAL Noon News | October 28

12pm Newscast Static

WRAL 4pm News | October 28

4pm Newscast Static

WRAL 6pm News | October 28

6pm Newscast Static

WRAL 10pm News | October 28

10pm Newscast Static

Samaritan's Purse has relief, aid on standby for Jamaica

Local News

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

Rock Quarry Road closure rescheduled until November for Complete 540 project

Report: More people moving to downtown Raleigh

Authorities track murder suspect from Hoke County to Lake Waccamaw suicide

How climate change is changing the way athletes train ahead of the Winter Olympics

Nation/World

Trump says 'it's too bad' he can't run for a third term

Elon Musk launches Grokipedia to compete with online encyclopedia Wikipedia

Deadly floods batter central Vietnam, killing at least 10

Trump scores golden gifts as United States and Seoul advance trade talks

It is a busy weekend in the Triangle with lots of Halloween and fall events including the NC Whirligig Festival.

Weekend best bets: Halloween fun, Whirligig Festival

Creator of Wilson's whirligigs releases new book 

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

Celebrating Halloween safely

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

Halloween forecast as of Sunday, 10/26/2025

Three tips for shopping at Halloween pop-up shops

Halloween_76424

100+ events in NC to enjoy this November

November events list graphic (Canva)

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

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

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

NC attorney general sues USDA over food stamp funding

NC Capitol

NC attorney general sues USDA after pausing SNAP benefits

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

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

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

Privatize NC's liquor sales? Leader of DOGE-style group wants to explore the cost

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

WRALSportsFan

Take it from the top: Toronto's Trey Yesavage uses unusually high arm angle to his advantage

Sports Leagues Feared a Betting Scandal Like This. Will Anything Change?

Back from Tommy John surgery, Shane Bieber elbows Shohei Ohtani right out of the spotlight

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

(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

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.

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

Judge extends order barring the Trump administration from firing federal workers during the shutdown

Trump administration moves to overrule state laws protecting credit reports from medical debt

PayPal and UPS help lead US stocks to more records

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

Business

Powerball

Mega Millions

Cash 5

Go Ask Dad: Snail tricks, costume treats

Family

Keeping kids visible and pets from escaping on Halloween

Halloween 2025 restaurant freebies & deals 

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

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

VictoryShares Short-Term Bond ETF (NQ:USTB)

Headline News about VictoryShares Short-Term Bond ETF