A Florida woman fatally shot her mother and two of her children in a murder-suicide after she got into an argument with her husband over porn that she found on his phone.
Plant City Police Chief Richard Mills shared an update about the murder-suicide, which happened on May 3, during a press conference on Thursday, August 13.
Mills said that investigators concluded that the killing spree began when Hailey Dempsey fatally shot her mom, Valerie DeBoe, at her home in the Tampa Bay area. She then ran away with her three young daughters before Dempsey, 27, allegedly fatally shot her 4-month-old daughter and 4-year-old daughter. Authorities also believe she tried to shoot her 2-year-old daughter, but missed and the girl survived.
It’s believed that Dempsey then died by suicide.
Mills added that police responded to the Dempsey household three times in the days leading up to the murder-suicide.
Authorities responded to the home on May 1 after Dempsey got into a “verbal confrontation” with her husband, Jay Dempsey, over porn that she found on his cell phone.
“It wasn’t cheating or anything like that, evidently it was just porn, and they were having an argument over that. I think that’s what everything stemmed from,” Mills said of the altercation.
The officer who reported to the home said there was “no indication whatsoever” of violence or criminal behavior between the pair.
Authorities returned to the home later that day when they received another call, in which Dempsey wanted officers to check if there was a tracking device on her car. The officers reported to the home and told Dempsey that her car was clear of any tracking devices.
Mills said that Dempsey left the home with the kids and DeBoe, 55, and they spent the night at the hotel. DeBoe lived in Clearwater, but was visiting her daughter’s family at the time.
The next day, officers received another call from Dempsey. She asked if they would accompany her to the home as she picked up clothing while her husband was away.
After Dempsey went to the home, Mills said police found evidence that the couple had met up at a local library and had a “one-on-one” conversation.
Following the murders, Dempsey’s husband was detained due to possible involvement. However, authorities “thoroughly investigated” the theory and he was ruled out as a suspect.
Mills also said there were “indications of some mental illness involved with the case,” though he did not reveal any additional details.
He said that the investigation, which lasted three months, “required patience, diligence and precision.”
“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 as he seemingly held back tears. “It’s absolutely heartbreaking. The worst thing I’ve ever seen in my life.”
Mills was also asked how the surviving child was doing, and he said she was in “good health” and was staying with family.
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