On December 15, 11-year-old Henry Lewis shared an inspiring post on Facebook that reads, “I hope you all are having a good day and if you are not pls make it the best you can pls because I think you can.”
It was the last post Henry would ever share.
The next day, the boy and his four cousins – the eldest only 13 – were killed after a fire ripped through an Arizona house, trapping the precious children in an upstairs bedroom.
Four siblings, whose grandfather is a member of the Bullhead City Fire Department, and Henry, were left alone by the father of four, who according to reports was gone for more than two hours, buying groceries and Christmas presents…
The internet was set ablaze with community members offering support to the family members of the four siblings, (three boys, ages 2, 5 and 13, and their sister, 4) and their 11-year-old cousin who died December 16 in a tragic fire at a residence in Anna Circle in Bullhead City, Arizona.
The Bullhead City Police Department says it’s suspected the fire started downstairs in the foyer and traveled upstairs, trapping all five children in the bedroom where they died.
According to police, the children’s father “reported to investigators that he was gone for approximately 2.5 hours to buy groceries and Christmas gifts.”
While police did not immediately identify the name of the father or the victims, social media provided several hints that the dad is John Jones, who according to his Facebook, is the father of six children (some with different mothers), John, Stephen, Zane, Freya, Azriel and Elias. Three of the deceased siblings are Zane, 5, Freya, 4, and 2-year-old Elias. Their cousin, identified by his mother Lydia Jellison, is 11-year-old Henry Lewis.
Pouring her grief on Facebook, Henry’s mother writes, “No words can express this pain! My heart [and] soul hurt! I lost half of me yesterday that I will never get back.” Jellison continues in her emotional post, “I love u so much! I am so sorry! This is unreal, I can’t fathom this. My son. My niece [and] nephews. Gone. They’re gone.”
Meanwhile, Nicole Renae Husko said her son Zane was with his three siblings when “they all died from burning because a flashover happened.”
She shares on Facebook, “I guess I just will never understand why you had to go I guess it was your time to go home cause God needed his angels I do believe you are our guardian angels.” The post, which includes heartbreaking images of her dead son continues, “I just don’t understand why he took you at such a young age. my heart hurts every day of every second I love you Zane Michael Jones.”
Describing her son as a “sweet” and “handsome bright boy,” Husko shares in another post, “I’m so sorry buddy, I love you so much. Such a beautiful soul [taken so] young. May you rest in peace with the other four beautiful children.”
Speaking of the dreams Zane had that he’ll never fulfill, Husko adds, “He always told his dad and myself he wanted to be a firefighter,” just like his grandfather, John Jones, a member of the Bullhead City Fire Department.
Jones’ heartbroken wife, the grandma to four of the kids, shares on Facebook a collage of photos that shows the faces of the adorable kids.
“God bless our baby angels,” is all she needed to say.
Because the family is connected to the local fire department, police will continue investigating with the Lake Havasu City Fire Department and the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives.
“Our city is dealing with a horrific tragedy,” said Police Chief Robert Trebes, stressing that investigators are “working tirelessly to get answers” to bring “closure” to the victims’ loved ones.
Collectively grieving, the community came together to support the family both financially and emotionally. A local company is covering funeral expenses, and two GoFundMe pages have been organized to help the family. One is for “all of the parents to help with any expenses they need,” and a second for Henry’s dad, Brian who “lives his life for his two boys and this tragedy has devastated him and his other son.”
In early December, Henry shared a Facebook post that says, “I am the chosen [one].”
Brian commented on his son’s post, writing, “Yes, I chose you to be my son, and chose to love you with ALL my heart every day!”
And on December 15, Henry shared his haunting last words on social media: “I hope you all are having a good day and if you are not pls make it the best you can pls because I think you can.”
We’re sending healing thoughts to the family and friends of the children and hope they find some peace.
Please share this story and let’s show these families they’re in our thoughts!
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