In a heart-wrenching tragedy in Durham, North Carolina, the father of Sean Brasfield, an 18-year-old who was allegedly murdered by his stepfather, has spoken out about the loss of his son.
He shared his thoughts with ABC affiliate WTVD, choosing to remain anonymous during the interview.
On October 27, authorities discovered Brasfield’s body in the trunk of a car inside a garage located on Springtooth Drive.
The stepfather, 38-year-old Wellington Dickens III, reportedly called 911 to make an apparent confession regarding the crime.
The biological father of Brasfield revealed to WTVD that he had not seen his son for a decade. Attempts to establish visitation through Dickens had unfortunately failed.
“I never would have imagined something like this could happen,” he expressed, reflecting on the unimaginable loss.
He said he kept his son, who had a disability, on his insurance so that if he received medical care, he would know where his son was at least.
“But that never happened,” he added.
Brasfield’s father had no indication that his son would be killed and that his step-siblings would be murdered as well.
“I know there are a lot of eyes on Sean,” he said, “but there are three other innocent children who died and a 3-year-old with nobody.”
When Brasfield’s mother, Stephanie Rae Jones, died in April 2024 due to complications stemming from a miscarriage, he said he reached out to Dickens and they had a brief conversation. However, no information was given about where his son was.
In August 2025, the father said he and Dickens exchanged messages on Facebook after Dickens allegedly asked for help with Brasfield.
READ MORE | Sheriff reveals timeline in father accused of killing his 4 children in North Carolina
When asked what happened following that dialogue, Brasfield’s father responded, “I guess nothing.”
He also said he wasn’t initially notified of his son’s death and found out elsewhere.
“The sheriff’s office apologized and have been great since then,” he said. “Answering my questions and giving me updates. When they call, I pick up.”
He’s at a loss for what comes next.
“I was going to let bygones be bygones,” he said, speaking of his quasi-relationship with Dickens. The father said he was willing to put the past and distance aside “for the kids”.
Instead, Dickens confessed to the murder of three of his children and stepson Sean Brasfield.
The other three children have been identified as: Leah Dickens, 6, Zoe Dickens, 9, and Wellington Dickens, 10.
His motive as of now remains unclear.
Copyright © 2025 WTVD-TV. All Rights Reserved.
