GREENBRIER COUNTY -
A murder suspect is behind bars after the bodies of a Greenbrier County family were found in Nicholas County this weekend.
Police arrested James Belknap of Nicholas County and charged him with the murders of 38-year-old Stephen Hendrix, 23-year-old Amber Martin, 6-year-old Dakota Hendrix, and 4-year-old Kaylee Hendrix.
Marguerite Hendrix, the mother of Stephen Hendrix, spoke with 59News in an exclusive phone interview about the tragedy that has horrified her family.
"We're all in a little bit of a hell, personal hell right now that that monster put us in," said Hendrix.
Hendrix said her son loved his children more than anything in the world.
She said education was his top priority for his children.
"Dakota was wonderful. He was excited about school. He didn't get to go to his kindergarten graduation and he was looking forward to that. Kaylee was excited about going to pre-K next fall. That's the only thing she wanted. To go to school with a backpack and a lunch box," said Hendrix.
Hendrix said the family went missing on May 19, but she said police thought her son was skipping town to avoid his May 22 court date.
"He knew that charges were being dismissed had he gone to court that day. He had no reason to run, none whatsoever. Until 59News got involved and did a please help us find our family thing, nobody really did anything. They just issued a fugitive from justice report because he failed to show up for court," said Hendrix.
Hendrix said she hopes suspect James Belknap lives with the guilt the rest of his life.
"I would like to wish that monster life without mercy, I want him to live a very long, healthy life behind bars in a cage. Everyday I want him to know that he took two innocent children away from their mother and family that loved them dearly. They took a son away from his family that was needed and loved. They took a daughter away from the Martin family," said Hendrix.
Hendrix said she hopes the community remembers the family as the loving people they were.
A candlelight vigil is being planned to remember the four victims.
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