A devastating tragedy has struck the Mayfair neighborhood in Columbus, Ohio, as 25-year-old Journey Fletcher and her two young children were found dead in their apartment.
The heartbreaking discovery was made after a concerned neighbor, noticing a foul odor and the absence of the family, called the police to conduct a wellness check.
Journey Fletcher, her 5-year-old son, Jalani Jennings, and her 3-month-old daughter, Harmoni Agyei, were discovered dead inside their home on Broadmoor Avenue on Thursday morning.
Columbus police officers arrived at the scene around 11:09 a.m. and pronounced the family deceased. Authorities found a handgun and three bullet shells at the scene, leading them to preliminarily classify the children’s deaths as homicides.
However, the investigation is ongoing, and police have not yet confirmed the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
Sgt. James Fuqua, a spokesperson for the Columbus police, stated that the exact cause of death would remain unknown until an autopsy is performed by the Franklin County Coroner’s Office.
“We don’t want to rule this as a murder-suicide, because we just don’t know,” Fuqua said, indicating that the situation is still under careful examination.
The discovery has left the community in shock. Neighbors described Journey Fletcher as a devoted mother who was often seen with her children. Many had offered their support to her, recognizing the challenges she faced as a young mother.
Dora Evans, a neighbor, recounted how Journey would hand her the baby, always with a smile, saying:
“Say hi to grandma.”
Another neighbor, Nina Jackson, shared how she had repeatedly offered to look after the children whenever Journey needed a break, showing the close-knit nature of the community.
The loss of this young family has deeply impacted the neighborhood, with residents mourning the tragic deaths of a mother and her two children.
As the investigation continues, the Columbus community is left grappling with the heartbreaking loss and searching for answers.
