COLUMBUS, Ohio — An east Columbus neighborhood remains in shock after a woman and her two children were found dead inside their home on Thursday.
Officers with the Columbus Division of Police found 25-year-old Journey Fletcher dead alongside her 5-year-old son, Jalani, and 3-month-old daughter, Harmoni.
Police recovered a handgun and three spent shell casings at the scene, according to records. The children’s deaths were declared homicides and police said they are not searching for a suspect, however, the circumstances are still being investigated.
Neighbors, in shock, gathered on Sunday for a vigil. They were the ones who raised concerns to the police when they realized it had been days since they saw Journey and the children.
“The baby was so beautiful. Well, the mama was beautiful too, and her son, he loved my dog. Always wanted to pet my dog,” said neighbor Dora Evans.
She was close to the children and even helped Journey deliver Harmoni in the front yard in May.
“Every time she would hand the baby to me, she would say, ‘Say hi to grandma’ and she had such a pretty little smile,” Evans said.
Evans and her neighbors said there was no indication that something might be wrong.
“I didn’t know what she was going through, but I told her I am always here. All you gotta do is call me throw a rock, knock on the door,” she said.
Neighbors said if Journey needed help, they wished she would have reached out.
“Bring 'em to me if you need a break. Bring 'em to me,” said neighbor Nina Jackson.
“All we can do now is just hope they rest in peace,” said another neighbor, Elaine McCarroll.