The father of two young children drowned by their mother in Semmes last week wrote on a GoFundMe page started by his sister that his estranged wife “had been struggling with mental issues and was having an identity crisis” since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nancy Johnson drowned 2-year-old Jacob Johnson and 5-year-old Mia Johnson in the bathtub of their home before hanging herself in a hall closet, Mobile County Sheriff Paul Burch said last week.

The children’s father, and Nancy Johnson’s estranged husband, Derek Johnson, was the one who made the horrifying discovery of the bodies last Thursday.

The GoFundMe page started by his sister, Kendra Bandock, to assist Derek Johnson includes a statement from him in which he says the children were “suddenly taken from this world in the worst way possible” and the house had once been “filled with joy and happiness.”

Burch said last week there were “clearly some psychiatric issues with” Nancy Johnson, while court records show Derek Johnson had subpoenaed her psychiatric records from USA Medical as part of the couple’s divorce proceedings.

“She let the teaching and rumors of the world consume her and no matter how I tried to help her she pushed me away and I could not force her to get help,” Derek Johnson wrote in the GoFundMe post, which as of Tuesday afternoon had raised $6,125 out of a goal of $25,000 to assist Johnson with debts on the home, including property taxes.

He also indicated a desire to tear out “a bathroom that I can’t possibly stare at where my children were drowned.”

Derek Johnson wrote that he and Nancy Johnson had been in a custody battle for six months and that, at one point, she “kidnapped” the children for about 2 1/2 months.

“The amount of happiness and love that emanated from Mia and Jacob was very apparent to all that they were around,” their father wrote. “Our house was filled with joy and happiness, their future was so bright in every way possible.”

Derek Johnson also indicated he’d like to write a book about his experiences to help others dealing with mental illness in a relationship.

“There is a wonderful and terrible story to tell the world that I hope helps others stop future dangers to their children.”

If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, reach out to the 24–hour National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255; contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741; or chat with someone online at suicidepreventionlifeline.org. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours.