WAVERLY, Tenn. — A father is grappling with overwhelming loss after the tragic deaths of his two sons, allegedly at the hands of their mother, in a suspected murder-suicide incident. As he prepares for their funeral, Jeremiah Thompson reflects on his family’s heartbreak.
“I just can’t wrap my head around how this could happen,” Thompson said, devastated by the news that claimed the lives of 4-year-old Arius and 13-year-old Isaiah. He emphasized his disbelief, calling his wife, 32-year-old Heather Thompson, a good person whose actions have shattered his world.
Thompson describes his relationship with Isaiah, who was beginning to explore a passion for sports, and Arius, who enjoyed playful teasing with his older brother. The family dynamic reflects a typical sibling bond, filled with love and mischief. Upon receiving the tragic call that his sons were “gone,” Thompson initially misunderstood, thinking they had temporarily left Waverly.
Authorities were summoned to a home on East Little Richland Avenue on Friday, where they discovered four deceased individuals. Investigators believe that Heather Thompson shot her sons and her own mother, 88-year-old Evelyn Johnson, before turning the gun on herself.
Jeremiah, who had been separated from Heather, expressed confusion over the absence of any warning signs leading to this heartbreaking event. “If she felt overwhelmed, she could have reached out. I would have gladly taken the boys for the summer,” he stated, reflecting on missed opportunities to help his family.
As he processes his grief, Thompson admits to feeling numb in the aftermath. “I think I cried everything out in the first few hours. Now, it’s just a heavy emptiness,” he said.
In honor of the victims, a community memorial service is planned for Tuesday at the Humphreys County Funeral Home, allowing friends and neighbors a chance to pay their respects. The service will be open to the public from 4 to 8 p.m.
In an effort to cover funeral expenses, Thompson has initiated a GoFundMe campaign. The appeal aims to assist in bringing his sons back home to New Mexico, where he hopes to lay them to rest. He expressed gratitude for any assistance as he navigates this unimaginable tragedy.