What Started as a Typical Workday Turned Into Tragedy for a Nebraska Father and His Daughters, Leaving a Community in Mourning
What began as an ordinary work shift for one Nebraska father ended in devastating loss. Now, the town is grappling with the heartbreaking deaths of a man and his two young daughters after a tragic explosion at a local industrial facility.
On July 29, 2025, a resident of Columbus, Nebraska, tragically died alongside his two daughters after taking them with him to work. The fatal incident occurred following a massive explosion at a biofuels plant located in the state.
The family later identified the victims as 32-year-old Dylan D. Danielson and his two daughters—12-year-old Hayven and 8-year-old Fayeah. After the explosion, loved ones clung to hope that the trio had somehow survived.
But those hopes were crushed about 24 hours after the incident at Horizon Biofuels, when Dylan’s remains were located at the site. His daughters’ bodies were recovered later that evening.
That same day, the Dodge County Board of Supervisors declared the situation a disaster and formally requested assistance from the state government, according to the sheriff’s office. Officials confirmed that surveillance footage captured the moment of the blast, which was reportedly triggered by a dust fire.
Two days later, on July 31, the Nebraska Fire Marshal wrapped up its preliminary investigation, while the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) launched its own investigation, which by federal law must be completed within a six-month timeframe.
Earlier this year, the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy investigated Horizon Biofuels in response to an air quality complaint. During the inspection, authorities noted that wood dust had spread beyond the facility’s boundaries.
OSHA documents revealed that the facility had also failed to prevent wood dust buildup around a milling machine. In 2012, Horizon Biofuels faced fines for four “serious violations,” including improper hazard communication, insufficient training, and poor equipment maintenance.
The plant also experienced previous safety concerns. In 2014, a fire damaged its electrical systems, though the building survived. However, the most recent blast resulted in the total destruction of the elevator tower.
Since the fatal incident, tributes from both family members and the local community have poured in. Two days after the explosion, Dylan’s aunt, Kathy Harle, spoke openly about the tragedy, sharing memories of her nephew and his daughters and recounting the moments that led up to the discovery of their remains.
“They were such sweet kids. And he was truly a wonderful dad,” Kathy said. She also explained where Dylan was found, adding, “They located him near the front entrance.”
Dylan was the only employee working in the building that day, performing his regular custodial duties. His daughters were waiting for him in the break room when the explosion took place. Hayven had been spending time with her younger half-sister and their father when tragedy struck.
According to Kathy, Dylan had managed to call his wife after hearing the initial blast to let her know where the girls were. He was still on the call when a second explosion hit, shortly before the final blast.
The force of the explosion caused the break room to collapse. Hayven’s stepfather, Robby Baker, visited the scene in hopes of learning about ongoing rescue efforts. He later described the chilling details of the call that pinpointed the girls’ location.
“Right after the building fell in, he was trapped. He called his wife and told her exactly where the girls were—asked for someone to get in there and save them. He was stuck, and there were flames all around him,” Robby recounted.
Before the family’s remains were recovered, Robby shared his heartbreak with the media. “Our lives are in there; we just need them to come out.” Meanwhile, Kathy expressed that speaking publicly offered a kind of emotional relief. “Talking about them like this… it’s actually very healing,” she said.
The community of Wahoo has also been mourning Hayven’s loss. Superintendent Brandon Lavaley shared in an email, “Wahoo Public Schools recognizes the depth of this tragedy and what the family is enduring.” He added that school counselors were made available on Friday morning and that support efforts for the family were ongoing.
The Wahoo Kids Wrestling Club also posted condolences on social media, writing, “Our deepest sympathies go out to Hayven’s family, friends, and teammates during this incredibly hard time.”
In Shelby-Rising City, where Fayeah had attended school for the past two years, Superintendent Tucker Tejkl offered his heartfelt reflections. “This terrible accident has affected many in our district. Fayeah was full of personality, always smiling, and a joy to have in class. She was truly special and will be dearly missed.”
He concluded by echoing the sentiments shared by other local leaders: “Our schools have provided counseling services and continue to support the family through this period of grief.”
Two GoFundMe pages have since been launched for the girls’ families. Fayeah’s loved ones remembered her as a girl whose radiant smile could brighten even the darkest days. Her fundraiser has collected $11,152 of its $13,000 target. Hayven’s campaign, with the same fundraising goal, has gathered $10,988 so far.
Hayven’s family described her as “a beautiful, goofy, and caring soul—a bright ray of sunshine taken too soon.”
Horizon Biofuels specializes in producing wood pellets and animal bedding products under the Elkhorn Valley Animal Bedding label. These items are commonly used for heating and food smoking. The plant is one of just three commercial pellet production facilities in Nebraska and has the capacity to manufacture 20,000 short tons of wood pellets from scrap wood annually.
According to the Nebraska Manufacturing Extension Partnership website, Horizon Biofuels employs a staff of 10.
Tragedy in Northern Ireland: Mother and Two Children Killed in Suspected Murder-Suicide
The heartbreaking loss of Dylan and his daughters wasn’t the only tragedy involving the death of three family members in July. In Northern Ireland, another community was left reeling after a mother and her two teenage children were found dead in their home.
Vanessa Whyte, along with her 14-year-old son James Rutledge and 13-year-old daughter Sara Rutledge, were fatally shot inside their residence in County Fermanagh on July 23, 2025.
Superintendent Robert McGowan reported that two of the victims were declared dead at the scene on Drummeer Road in Maguiresbridge, while the third passed away later in the hospital. All three victims suffered fatal gunshot wounds.
Police responded to an emergency call made from inside the house at around 7:50 a.m. on that Wednesday. Officers from the Enniskillen Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) encountered what Superintendent McGowan described as a deeply traumatic scene.
Investigators believe the shooting happened shortly before police arrived. Despite the efforts of first responders, including three ambulances and an air ambulance dispatched by the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, the lives of Vanessa, James, and Sara could not be saved.
Authorities later confirmed that 43-year-old Ian Rutledge, a member of the same household, had sustained severe injuries and was taken to Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast. He later succumbed to those injuries.
Although the investigation remains in its early stages, police indicated one possible explanation being explored is that the case was a triple murder followed by an attempted suicide.
Superintendent McGowan confirmed that no arrests were made and none are expected. He noted that the suspect had only a limited history with law enforcement and minimal prior domestic incidents had been recorded involving those in the household.
On July 28, detectives renewed their plea for information from the public, urging anyone with even minor details to come forward. Two days earlier, on July 26, authorities issued a specific appeal regarding sightings of a silver Mercedes believed to have traveled between Maguiresbridge and Newtownbutler the day before the shootings.
Superintendent McGowan acknowledged the tremendous emotional impact of the incident and confirmed that officers would maintain a visible presence in the area to offer continued reassurance and support.
“I want to begin by offering my heartfelt condolences to the victims’ families and loved ones, who are undoubtedly struggling to comprehend the enormity of this loss,” he said.
Northern Ireland’s First Minister Michelle O’Neill and Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly issued a joint statement expressing their sorrow over the tragedy and gratitude to the emergency workers who responded. “Our thoughts are with the victims’ loved ones and the broader community affected by this devastating event,” they said.
The local community has also paid heartfelt tribute to Vanessa and her children. James and Sara had both attended Enniskillen Royal Grammar School and had previously been students at Maguiresbridge Primary School.
On July 25, a large crowd gathered at the primary school to hold a candlelight vigil in honor of the family. The emotional event was attended by local residents and prominent political figures. Clergy members offered prayers, and a moment of silence was observed to honor the lives lost.
Vanessa, originally from Barefield in County Clare, was remembered during a special prayer service held at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Maguiresbridge on Sunday evening.
Father Tom Fitzpatrick, a parish priest from Barefield, addressed the gathering. “Let us not define Vanessa by the way she died but by the life she lived—her smile, her strength, and her deep love for her children. She gave them everything she had.”
He also paid tribute to her children: “Let us remember James and Sara not just as victims, but as kids who played, laughed, had favorite stories and foods, and carried big dreams.”
He acknowledged that their dreams would never be fulfilled but said they remain meaningful because they belonged to James and Sara.
As the community prepares to say its final goodbyes to the family, the sense of grief and disbelief remains heavy. DUP Assembly Member Deborah Erskine voiced the collective heartbreak: “This tragedy has sent shockwaves not just through Maguiresbridge, but across the entire Fermanagh region.”
Sinn Féin MP Pat Cullen also expressed her condolences. “My thoughts are with the victims’ families and the classmates of those two young children. In a tight-knit community like this, everyone feels the impact. We are all grieving and deeply shaken.”
Local resident Margaret Erwin shared how profoundly the tragedy had touched the area. “It’s heartbreaking to lose lives like this—especially so close to home. We all know someone connected to the family. It just makes the loss even more real.”
Ken Hutchinson, another local, echoed the sentiment, describing the situation as utterly devastating. He said the village of Maguiresbridge is known for its strong sense of community and friendliness, and he was stunned that such a horrific event had occurred right in their midst.
“It’s a peaceful place,” he said, “which makes this even harder to accept—especially knowing that children were taken in such a way.”