N.C. man allegedly invited Grindr dates to his home while his kids’ bodies decomposed in the car

ZEBULON, N.C. (TCN) -- A man accused of killing five of his children allegedly invited men from a dating app into his home while the bodies of his children were decomposing in his car’s trunk, police say.

Wellington Delano Dickens III was arrested Oct. 27, 2025, after he called 911 and told dispatchers he killed his children. In a recording of the call released by WRAL, Dickens allegedly told the dispatcher, “I killed my children. It’s a lot to explain, but in a nutshell, it’s all my fault.”

Responding officers found Dickens had allegedly placed the bodies of four of his children in the trunk of his car and 3-year-old was inside the residence unharmed. Dickens also allegedly told authorities that another child was buried in the woods. WKRC reports the 1-month-old, Riley, died shortly after Dickens had moved to the home, but Dickens did not alert authorities about the death. He allegedly wrapped the infant in plastic or paper and buried him behind his home.

Authorities obtained search warrants for Dickens’ home on Jan. 14 and 15 that included computer and phone access, WKRC reports. Dickens reportedly had multiple iPhones and authorities allegedly discovered Dickens had invited people to his home after meeting them on Grindr, a dating and casual hookup app for gay and bisexual men. 

The timing of the texts suggests the people Dickens invited to his home came over around the time the alleged murders took place, WKRC reports, and some of the meetups likely occurred while Dickens’ children’s bodies were decomposing in the car.