Honk News (St. Helena, LA) – Authorities discovered two children and a 40-year-old woman who had been fatally stabbed after responding to a domestic disturbance at a residence in Amite at approximately 4:39 p.m. local time on Thursday, January 9, according to a statement from the St. Helena Sheriff’s Office.
A 31-year-old man has been identified as the individual under suspicion. A man has been taken into custody and faces three charges of first-degree murder.
“This was a horrible tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims’ family,” the sheriff’s office said.
According to a GoFundMe page established by Powell’s cousin Deondra Warner, the victims have been identified as Rhonda Powell, her son Braylon, and her nephew Hayden.
Warner stated on the fundraising page that Jones is a relative with “a documented history of schizophrenia” and asserted he was “experiencing a mental health episode” during the incidents.
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“Just the day before, he had been brought to a medical center for help and was prescribed new medication. Sadly, the support he needed came too late to prevent this heartbreaking outcome,” she wrote.
Warner informed WAFB that the family welcomed Jones into their home after doctors declined to admit him at their urging due to his display of “signs of aggression.”
“She pleaded with or implored that the doctor give him the shot which usually works. Instead, the doctor gives him a pill,” she told the outlet.
“No one in that home survived because the mental health system failed him,” Warner continued. “Had he been committed, he would be where he needed to be today, and my other family members would be alive.”