Hailey Dempsey, 27, fatally shot her mother and two of her three daughters before turning the gun on herself, following a dispute with her husband over pornographic content found on his phone, according to Plant City Police Chief Richard Mills.
Shooting Details and Victims
The incident occurred in the early hours of May 3 at Dempsey's home in Plant City, in the Tampa Bay area. Dempsey shot her mother, Valerie DeBoe, 55, who was visiting from Clearwater. She then fled on foot with her three young daughters, killing her 4-year-old and 4-month-old daughters. She also shot at her 2-year-old daughter but missed, before turning the gun on herself.
Police Chief Richard Mills revealed on Thursday, August 13, that police had responded to the Dempseys' home three times in the two days before the shootings. The first call on Friday, May 1, was related to a “verbal confrontation” over porn that Dempsey had allegedly found on her husband Jay's cell phone.
Prior Police Calls and Investigation
“It wasn't cheating or anything like that, evidently it was just porn, and they were having an argument over that,” Mills told reporters. “I think that's what everything stemmed from.” Mills said the officer who responded spoke with the couple and found “no indication whatsoever” of violence or criminal behavior.
Later that same day, police received another call because Dempsey wanted cops to check for a tracking device on her car, but nothing was found. Dempsey left the property with her children and her mother, staying at a hotel overnight. The following day, police accompanied them back to the family home to pick up clothing while her husband was away.
Mills added that there was some evidence the couple had met at a local library for a “one-on-one” conversation after Dempsey returned home for the clothing. Dempsey's husband was detained following the murders, but after his potential involvement was “thoroughly investigated,” he was ruled out as a suspect and never arrested or charged.
Mental Health Indications and Aftermath
Mills said there were “indications of some mental illness involved with the case.” The three-month investigation into the tragedy had “required patience, diligence and precision,” he added. “I've been in law enforcement for 34 years, I was on that scene, and it was probably the worst scene that I've ever seen in my life,” Mills said, fighting back tears. “It's absolutely heartbreaking. The worst thing I've ever seen in my life.”
Asked about the surviving child, Mills said she is in “good health” and staying with family. The investigation concluded with no charges against the husband, and the surviving child remains with relatives.
