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Husband charged with second-degree murder of wife, pending charges for children

MARION COUNTY, Fla. — Michael Jones is looking at dozens of years behind bars for killing his wife, Casei Jones.

He is also awaiting pending charges for the deaths of Casei Jone's four young children.

He was brought from Bradford County, Georgia to Marion County, Florida on Wednesday. Deputies believe the murders happened in Marion.

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Action News Jax reporter Meghan Moriarty spoke with Sarah Gilbert, the sister of Casei and aunt of the four children. She said they always seemed like a happy family.

"It was just the perfect little family," she said over the phone. "He would open the car door for her. He would change the kids diaper."

But investigators believe he killed his wife and four children six weeks ago.

They add that they believe he has been driving around with their bodies for the last two to three weeks.

"These bodies were decomposed." Sgt. Paul Boom with the Marion County Sheriff's Office explained at a news conference Wednesday. "We all want to know why and try to make sense of a senseless act, and I can tell you whatever excuse he will give -- of any reason why -- it's not gonna be enough"

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The murders are something family member did not see coming.

Deputies believe Michael was using Casei's phone after she was killed to interact with her family members, which is why it took a while for something to be reported.

"If any of us would've saw something that would've suggested that he could hurt them in anyway, we wouldn't have stood by and done nothing." Gilbert said. "He should have to think about it [what he did] and dwell on it like we have to."

Gilbert also wants to warn people about fake GoFundMe accounts that are popping up on the web.

She said her family has not created an account and is urging people to not donate.