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Estranged widow of Westmoreland murder victim says ‘he was a good father’

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SUMNER COUNTY, Tenn. (WTVF) — After 7 people were murdered in a mass killing in Sumner County, families are still trying to come to terms with the horrific tragedy.

Wanda Hosale, the estranged widow of victim Charlie Hosale, said he leaves behind their 11-year-old son, Elijah.

"I cried for like 2 days, I couldn’t even sleep at night. I’m still in shock.” Hosale told NewsChannel 5.

Wanda was married to Charlie for nearly a decade. While they were separated for the last couple years, their son Elijah was still close to his father.

“He was a good father, and they loved each other, and neither one of them deserves to go through any of this, or any of the family.”

Hosale used to live in the home where 6 of the victims were killed. Her two children grew up there.

“They said ‘Mommy, if we would have been there, we would been dead too,’ and that’s sad, and it’s possibly true.”

Hosale said the suspect, Charlie’s nephew, Michael Cummins, was always troubled.

“Even the kids and I can recall he would always threaten when he didn’t get his way. Ya know, things like ‘I’m going to kill all y’all in this house one day,’ and it has actually come to pass, but he was still a good person, I believe in certain ways, but he needed help and he didn’t get enough help.”

According to Hosale, Clara Cummins, Michael's mother, had tried to help her son get treatment but the state refused him because he didn't have insurance.

Her son is at a facility getting treatment for mental health issues and on top of that, Elijah Hosale is trying to wrap his head around losing his dad.

“He couldn’t even talk for like 5 minutes. He’s having nightmares, he’s worried, he keeps asking me for the details. I won’t tell him. I won’t even go through that with my 11-year-old.” said Hosale.

After the tragedy unfolded, Hosale hopes this is a warning to other families to get their loved ones help, before it’s too late.

According to Sumner County Sheriff Sonny Weatherford, accused killer Michael Cummins has surgery scheduled on Friday because he was shot in the leg by a deputy during the manhunt.

He will be charged when he is released.

Charlie Hosale’s girlfriend, Rachel McGLothlin-Pee, her 12-year-old daughter Sapphire McGlothin-Pee, and Rachel’s mother Marsha Nuckols, will be laid to rest at 2 p.m. on Sunday.

Their visitation is at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Portland on Saturday from 10a.m. to 9p.m. in the evening.