The family of a man who lost his wife and children in Semmes last week is rallying behind him to help raise money and support.
Derek Johnson's wife, daughter and son were found dead in the family home Thursday. The wife was hanged, and the two children had been drowned and placed on the couch.
The Mobile County Sheriff's Office said Johnson found his family dead and called 911. Sheriff Paul Burch said Johnson was not involved in the deaths.
Nancy Johnson, 37, suffered from mental health issues, according to a GoFundMe account set up by Derek Johnson's sister. The GoFundMe account has a letter from Derek Johnson included.
"I loved Mia, Jacob and Nancy so much," the letter states. "Nancy had been struggling with mental issues and was having an identity crisis since the pandemic started. She let the teaching and rumors of the world consume her, and no matter how I tried to help her she pushed me away, and I could not force her to get help."
Johnson said the couple had been in a custody battle over their two and five-year-old children.
"The amount of happiness and love that emanated from Mia and Jacob was very apparent to all that they were around," he continued. "Our house was filled with joy and happiness, their future was so bright in every way possible. So much love and care was put into them for the 7 years of our marriage. Now I am at ground 0 and left with around 25k in debt, a bathroom that I can't possibly stare at where my children were drowned, I want to tear it all out. $1800 in property taxes due soon, and I just don't have foresight on when I will go back to work. Any help is appreciated, I have 0 motivation in life right now and can't function that well at the moment."
Johnson also said he wanted to eventually write a book to help others.
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