WAVERLY, Tenn. — A father is grappling with an unfathomable tragedy following the deaths of his two young sons, allegedly at the hands of their mother in what authorities are treating as a murder-suicide. Jeremiah Thompson traveled overnight to Waverly upon receiving the devastating news, preparing to honor the lives of 4-year-old Arius and 13-year-old Isaiah at their upcoming funeral.
“I can’t believe she did this,” Thompson expressed, reflecting on his estranged wife, Heather Thompson, 32. “She was a good person. I’m just trying to understand how this could have happened.” The couple had maintained communication despite their separation, and Thompson emphasized the close bond he had developed with Isaiah since the boy was a baby.
Isaiah was growing increasingly active in sports, while Arius was known for his typical brotherly antics. “Arius liked to tease his brother, especially during games,” Thompson recalled. He did not anticipate the shocking phone call that first led him to believe both children had simply moved away.
Authorities from the Humphreys County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call at a residence on East Little Richland Avenue on Friday, where they discovered four deceased individuals, including Heather and her two children. Also found dead was the boys’ 88-year-old grandmother, Evelyn Johnson. The preliminary investigation suggests that Heather took her own life after the tragic events.
“I have cried everything out. Now, I just feel numb,” Thompson shared, trying to process his profound loss. He noted that there had been no indications that suggested Heather was in distress. “If she was overwhelmed, why didn’t she just talk to me?” he wondered. “If she needed help, I would have been there for her.”
A memorial service for the four family members is planned for Tuesday at the Humphreys County Funeral Home, welcoming community members to pay their respects from 4 to 8 p.m. Thompson has started a GoFundMe campaign to help cover burial costs for his sons, emphasizing the urgent need for support during this tragic time. The community’s response will likely play a crucial role in aiding the family as they navigate their grief.