32-Year-Old Dad and His Two Daughters, Aged 8 and 12, Die After He Brought Them to Work

What began as a regular day at work for a Nebraska father ended in unthinkable tragedy. Now, a community is grieving the loss of a man and his two young daughters after a devastating incident at a local plant.

On July 29, 2025, a Columbus, Nebraska, man and his two young daughters tragically lost their lives after he brought them along to work. The father and his children died following a devastating explosion at a biofuels plant in Nebraska.

https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=eyJ0ZndfdGltZWxpbmVfbGlzdCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOltdLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X2ZvbGxvd2VyX2NvdW50X3N1bnNldCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOnRydWUsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdHdlZXRfZWRpdF9iYWNrZW5kIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6Im9uIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH0sInRmd19yZWZzcmNfc2Vzc2lvbiI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfZm9zbnJfc29mdF9pbnRlcnZlbnRpb25zX2VuYWJsZWQiOnsiYnVja2V0Ijoib24iLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X21peGVkX21lZGlhXzE1ODk3Ijp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6InRyZWF0bWVudCIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfZXhwZXJpbWVudHNfY29va2llX2V4cGlyYXRpb24iOnsiYnVja2V0IjoxMjA5NjAwLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X3Nob3dfYmlyZHdhdGNoX3Bpdm90c19lbmFibGVkIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6Im9uIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH0sInRmd19kdXBsaWNhdGVfc2NyaWJlc190b19zZXR0aW5ncyI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdXNlX3Byb2ZpbGVfaW1hZ2Vfc2hhcGVfZW5hYmxlZCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdmlkZW9faGxzX2R5bmFtaWNfbWFuaWZlc3RzXzE1MDgyIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6InRydWVfYml0cmF0ZSIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfbGVnYWN5X3RpbWVsaW5lX3N1bnNldCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOnRydWUsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdHdlZXRfZWRpdF9mcm9udGVuZCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9fQ%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=true&id=1951788363708600578&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fnews.amomama.com%2F467252-32-year-old-dad-and-his-two-daughters.html&sessionId=2e648b4fc12107fdb51647b2c96a6a473ac775c1&siteScreenName=amomama&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px

Family identified the victims as 32-year-old Dylan D. Danielson, 12-year-old Hayven, and eight-year-old Fayeah. On the day of the explosion and into the next, their loved ones held on to hope that the trio would survive.

However, those hopes were dashed roughly 24 hours after the incident at Horizon Biofuels, when Dylan’s body was recovered from the scene. His daughters’ bodies were found later that night.

That same afternoon, according to the sheriff, the Dodge County Board of Supervisors declared a disaster and formally requested aid from the state. State officials revealed that the massive explosion, which is visible through surveillance footage, was ignited by a dust fire.

On July 31, the Nebraska Fire Marshal completed its initial investigation. Meanwhile, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) launched its ongoing investigation, which by law must be completed within six months.

Earlier this year, the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy investigated the plant following an air quality complaint. At the time, officials found wood dust extending beyond the facility’s property line.

OSHA reports also revealed the plant failed to prevent wood dust from accumulating on and around a milling machine. Back in 2012, Horizon Biofuels was issued penalty fines for four “serious violations,” including poor communication and training on workplace hazards, and inadequate machine maintenance.

https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-1&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=true&id=1950255052683166133&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fnews.amomama.com%2F467252-32-year-old-dad-and-his-two-daughters.html&sessionId=2e648b4fc12107fdb51647b2c96a6a473ac775c1&siteScreenName=amomama&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px

The plant had also experienced problems in 2014, when a fire damaged its electrical system, though the building remained intact. In contrast, this recent explosion destroyed the elevator tower.

Since the tragedy, heartfelt tributes have poured in from family members and the wider community. Two days after the explosion, Dylan’s aunt, Kathy Harle, spoke about the loss, the moments leading up to the discovery of the bodies, and her cherished memories of her nephew and his daughters.

“They were good kids. He was such a good daddy, he really was,” Kathy recalled. She also revealed where her nephew was discovered after the blast, saying, “They found him near the front door.”

Dylan had been the only employee working inside the plant during his scheduled custodial shift. His daughters had been waiting in the break room when the explosion occurred. Hayven was spending time with her younger half-sister and their father when the incident happened.

Kathy shared that her nephew had called his wife to tell her where the girls were located after hearing the first explosion. He was still on the line with her when the second blast occurred, and just before the final explosion.

The explosion caused the break room to collapse. Hayven’s stepfather, Robby Baker, went to the site to learn more about rescue efforts and described the chilling phone call that revealed the girls’ location.

https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-2&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=true&id=1953168714922184882&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fnews.amomama.com%2F467252-32-year-old-dad-and-his-two-daughters.html&sessionId=2e648b4fc12107fdb51647b2c96a6a473ac775c1&siteScreenName=amomama&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px

Referring to Dylan’s call, he said, “Right after the building collapsed, he was pinned inside of it. He made a phone call to his wife and said where the girls were at, get someone in there to get them out, and he was pinned in, and there was fire all around him. [sic]”

Speaking to the media before the family’s bodies were recovered, Robby confessed, “Our lives are in there; we need to get them out.” Despite the heartbreak, Kathy expressed a sense of emotional release about talking to the media, saying, “I feel like this is very healing.”

The Wahoo community, too, has been mourning Hayven’s passing. In an email, Superintendent Brandon Lavaley wrote, “Wahoo Public Schools recognize the horrible tragedy and what the family is going through,” and added, “We had counselors available on campus [Friday] morning and continue to support the family as we are able.”

The Wahoo Kids Wrestling Club also shared condolences on Facebook, posting, “We extend our deepest condolences to Hayven’s family, friends, and teammates during this incredibly difficult time.”

Tucker Tejkl, superintendent of Shelby-Rising City Public Schools, issued this statement, “It was a tragic accident that has affected many of us here in our district. Fayeah was a student of ours for the past two years, and she was one who was very dynamic, had a fun personality, always had a smile on her face, and was just a great girl. She will be missed.”

Tucker concluded his statement by echoing the public school superintendent’s sentiments, “We had counselors and resources available for our students and families this morning, and we continue to support the family through this difficult time.”

GoFundMe campaigns have since been launched for both girls’ families. Fayeah’s family described her as a girl “whose smile could brighten even the darkest days.” So far, her fundraiser has raised $11,152 of its $13,000 goal, while Hayven’s campaign has brought in $10,988 while aiming for the same goal.

The older sister’s family described her as “beautiful, goofy, caring, and a bright ray of sunshine who gained her angel wings too soon.”

Horizon Biofuels produces wood pellets and animal bedding used for heating and food smoking, under the name Elkhorn Valley Animal Bedding. It is one of only three commercial pellet plants in Nebraska, capable of producing 20,000 short tons of wood pellets using waste wood.

According to the Nebraska Manufacturing Extension Partnership website, the company employs 10 people.

https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-3&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=true&id=1950306201851613421&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fnews.amomama.com%2F467252-32-year-old-dad-and-his-two-daughters.html&sessionId=2e648b4fc12107fdb51647b2c96a6a473ac775c1&siteScreenName=amomama&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px

Unfortunately, the loss of Dylan and his children isn’t the only death of three family members that occurred in July. A mother, Vanessa Whyte, and her two teenage children, son James Rutledge and daughter Sara Rutledge, were found dead in their home in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland.

Police treated the case as a suspected triple murder and attempted suicide.

Sara Rutledge, Vanessa Whyte, and James Rutledge, from a post dated June 17, 2023 | Source: Facebook/vanessa.whyte.353

The 45-year-old woman, her 13-year-old daughter, and her 14-year-old son were killed in a gun attack at their home in the village of Maguiresbridge on Wednesday, July 23, 2025.

Superintendent Robert McGowan told a press conference that two of the victims were pronounced dead at the scene on Drummeer Road, while the third died later in the hospital. All three victims, Sara, Vanessa, and James, died from gunshot wounds.

Police were first alerted to the incident on Wednesday morning when a call was made from inside the house at approximately 7:50 a.m. Officers from the Enniskillen Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) station responded to the incident, where they were met with what Robert described as a “harrowing scene for all involved.”

According to the superintendent, the shooting is believed to have occurred just moments before officers arrived. The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service later dispatched three emergency vehicles and an air ambulance to the scene, but despite their efforts, they were unable to save the lives of Sara, Vanessa, and James.

Authorities confirmed that the suspect, 43-year-old Ian Rutledge, who was a member of the same household, was taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast with serious injuries following the incident. He later died from his wounds.

According to the district police commander, while the investigation is still in its early stages, one line of inquiry is that the incident may have been a triple murder followed by an attempted suicide.

A tribute to James Rutledge, Vanessa Whyte, and Sara Rutledge at a vigil, from a post dated July 26, 2025 | Source: Facebook/irishmirror

Robert also confirmed that no arrests have been made and none are anticipated. He stated that the suspect had a limited history with police and only minimal domestic issues had been recorded involving the individuals concerned.

However, on Monday, July 28, detectives investigating the shooting renewed their appeal for anyone with information, no matter how minor it may seem, to come forward.

People gathered at a vigil for James Rutledge, Vanessa Whyte, and Sara Rutledge, from a post dated July 26, 2025 | Source: Facebook/irishmirror

Two days earlier, on Saturday, July 26, they had issued a specific appeal regarding the movements of a silver Mercedes seen traveling between Maguiresbridge and Newtownbutler on the day before the shootings.

Robert has acknowledged the profound impact the shootings have had on the local community and noted that officers would maintain a presence in the area to provide support and reassurance as investigations continue.

“I am keen to, first and foremost, express my sympathy to family members and loved ones who are today left in total shock, and who will inevitably be struggling to come to terms with their unimaginable loss,” Robert said.

Northern Ireland’s First Minister, Michelle O’Neill, and Deputy First Minister, Emma Little-Pengelly, issued a joint statement on Wednesday night, expressing sorrow over the tragedy in Maguiresbridge.

They also offered gratitude to the emergency services who responded to the incident. “Our thoughts are with the loved ones of the victims and their families, and the wider community,” the two concluded.

The community has also paid tribute to Vanessa and her kids. Sara and James were students at Enniskillen Royal Grammar School and had previously attended Maguiresbridge Primary School, located in their home village.

On Friday, July 25, large crowds gathered in the grounds of the primary school to hold a vigil in memory of the family. The event was attended by members of the community, including senior political figures. Religious leaders offered words of comfort, and those present observed a minute’s silence in honor of the victims.

Vanessa was originally from Barefield, County Clare, in the Republic of Ireland. On Sunday evening, a prayer service was held at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Maguiresbridge, bringing together community members in remembrance of the family.

At the service, Fr Tom Fitzpatrick, the parish priest in Barefield, addressed those gathered, “Let us remember Vanessa not just by the way she died, but by the life she lived, her smile, her strength, her incredible powerful love for her children. She gave it her all to the very end.”

People gathered at a vigil for James Rutledge, Vanessa Whyte, and Sara Rutledge, from a post dated July 26, 2025 | Source: Facebook/irishmirror

He also spoke fondly of her children, “We remember James and Sara, not just as victims of violence, but as children who played and who laughed and had their favorite stories, of course favorite foods I’m sure as well, and great dreams.”

The parish priest said that, sadly, these were aspirations that would never be realized, yet they held deep significance because they belonged to James and Sara.

As the community gives Vanessa and her children the send-off they deserve, there remains a deep sense of mourning and disbelief. Democratic Unionist Party assembly member Deborah Erskine captured what many are feeling, saying the incident has “caused widespread shock, not just in Maguiresbridge, but right across Fermanagh.”

Flowers at a vigil for James Rutledge, Vanessa Whyte, and Sara Rutledge, from a post dated July 26, 2025 | Source: Facebook/irishmirror

Sinn Féin MP Pat Cullen has also spoken out, expressing sympathy for the victims. “I am thinking of their families and those wee children’s school friends and how it must feel in a close knit community like this. The community is heartbroken, as we are, and totally shocked at the news as any community would be,” she added.

The community is indeed heartbroken and devastated. Local resident Margaret Erwin shared that the news has deeply affected everyone in the area. She noted that while such tragedies are always painful, having it happen so close to home makes it especially difficult.

Margaret said that knowing people connected to the children involved has brought the reality of the loss even closer. She also reflected on the vulnerability felt in rural areas, emphasizing that no place is untouched by such sorrow.

Similarly, local resident Ken Hutchinson described the incident as a profound shock for the entire community. His thoughts were with the victims’ immediate family as he reflected on the close-knit nature of Maguiresbridge, a place where people are known to mix well and support one another.

He said the tragedy stands in stark contrast to the usual calm of the village and expressed disbelief that children had lost their lives in such circumstances.

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text “help” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741, or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply