FLORIDA MURDER-SUICIDE: POLICE REVEAL WHAT HAPPENED BEFORE THE DEADLY SHOOTING
New details from Plant City police have shed light on the days leading up to the May 3 deaths of Hailey Dempsey, her mother Valerie DeBoe and two of Dempsey’s young daughters.
Police say the tragedy followed a series of disturbances involving Dempsey and her husband, Jay Dempsey.
THREE POLICE CALLS IN TWO DAYS
According to Plant City Police Chief Richard Mills, officers responded to the family home three times in the two days before the shootings.
The first call involved a verbal argument after Dempsey discovered pornography on her husband’s phone.
Police said there was no indication of physical violence or criminal behavior during that response.
A second call came after Dempsey asked officers to check whether a tracking device had been placed on her vehicle. Police reportedly found none.
Later, Dempsey left the home with her children and her mother and stayed at a hotel.
Valerie DeBoe holding Kelsey Dempsey.THE FINAL RETURN HOME
Police said Dempsey later returned to the home to collect clothing while her husband was away.
Investigators also said the couple subsequently met for a private conversation at a local library.
Hours later, the situation turned deadly.
Dempsey shot her mother, 55-year-old Valerie DeBoe, before fleeing with her three daughters.
Police say she then killed her 4-month-old and 4-year-old daughters, shot at her 2-year-old daughter but missed, and ultimately died by suicide.
The surviving child was later reported to be in good health and staying with family.
HER HUSBAND WAS RULED OUT
Jay Dempsey was detained following the killings while investigators examined his possible involvement.
Police ultimately said his potential involvement had been thoroughly investigated and ruled him out as a suspect. He was not arrested or charged in connection with the killings.
Chief Mills also said investigators found indications of possible mental illness in the case.
Two officers outside a house on West Tever Street in Plant City, Florida.COULD THE EARLIER WARNING SIGNS HAVE BEEN RECOGNIZED?
The fact that police had responded multiple times before the killings has inevitably raised difficult questions.
Could anyone have anticipated what would happen?
Were there warning signs that only became obvious in hindsight?
And how should authorities respond when a domestic disturbance appears nonviolent at the time but later develops into something catastrophic?
Those questions are separate from determining responsibility for the killings — and investigators have said the case required an extensive review.
A MOTHER.
TWO YOUNG CHILDREN GONE.
ONE CHILD SURVIVED.
AND A FAMILY LEFT TO LIVE WITH THE AFTERMATH.
This post is based on police statements and reported information. The circumstances described above should not be interpreted as establishing a motive beyond what investigators have publicly stated.
