38-year-old father spared his 3-year-old son’s life after killing his 6-and-9-year-old daughters and 10-and-18-year-old sons, then waited months before confessing to the crimes; arrested
North Carolina – In a deeply disturbing case in North Carolina that drew nationwide attention, a 38‑year‑old man, identified as W. Dickens, has been arrested in connection with the deaths of his 6-and-9-year-old daughters and his 10-and-18-year-old sons after calling 911 to confess the horrific crimes he committed. According to reports, Dickens murdered four of his children over a period of months but spared the life of his youngest son, age 3.
Dickens faces at least four counts of murder, one for each of his children who died. An initial charge covered one juvenile victim, with additional counts filed as the investigation unfolded. The charges stem from his own admission to law enforcement that he had killed his children and placed their bodies inside a vehicle trunk parked in the garage of the home. According to authorities, the victims were his three biological children, ages 6, 9, and 10, and his 18‑year‑old stepson. His surviving 3-year-old son was found unharmed in the house.
Police say that Dickens contacted emergency dispatchers on the night of October 27, declaring he had taken his children’s lives. When deputies arrived, they discovered the bodies in the trunk of a car in his garage and the youngest child alive inside the residence. Inside the garage, they discovered what the sheriff’s office described as multiple bodies in the trunk of a vehicle. Authorities said the remains had been present for a long time, prompting the involvement of the State Medical Examiner’s Office and further forensic investigation. Investigators believe Dickens killed his children in staggered attacks beginning as early as May 1, 2025, and continuing through September.
According to the 911 transcript, Dickens reportedly identified his address and told dispatchers he had killed his children. Detectives say the timeline of deaths, the hidden nature of the crime, and homeschooling circumstances prevented earlier detection. He was arraigned and held without bond. Prosecutors have indicated more charges may follow as the investigation continues. While the youngest child lives on untouched by the violence, the other four victims remain beyond help. Dickens, a former military veteran, faces the possibility of life imprisonment or even the death penalty if convicted.
In a somber acknowledgment of community loss, the sheriff summed it up: “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.” For the surviving son and the family left behind, the case stands as one of the darkest tragedies in recent memory. With a father turned killer and four young lives stolen, the path ahead will be marked by grief, unanswered questions, and the pursuit of justice.
