A dispute between two spouses over adult content found on a cell phone foreshadowed a tragic murder-suicide in Florida. According to the Plant City Police Department, Hailey Dempsey, a 27-year-old mother of three, shot her mother and two of her young daughters before taking her own life in May this year.
They further revealed that Dempsey engaged in a heated argument with her husband regarding po***graphy found on his phone in the days leading up to the May 3 tragedy. The shootings occurred in the early morning hours inside Dempsey’s home in Plant City, located in the Tampa Bay area.
At first, she fatally shot her mother, Valerie DeBoe. Following the initial shooting, Dempsey fled the residence on foot, taking her three young daughters with her into the night.
A short distance away, Dempsey turned her weapon on her children, killing two of her daughters, aged four years and four months old, respectively. She also fired a shot at her two-year-old daughter but narrowly missed her. She then ended up fatally shooting herself. The two-year-old is the sole survivor of the incident.
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“The Plant City Police Department has completed its investigation into the deaths of four individuals during the early morning hours of May 3, 2026. The case has been ruled a murder-suicide,” police said in a statement.
“During the early morning hours of Sunday, May 3, 2026, 27-year-old Hailey Dempsey shot and killed her mother inside their home. Hailey Dempsey then gathered her three daughters and left the residence on foot. Shortly before 7:00 a.m., she concealed herself and her children behind a patch of bushes and trees in the front yard of 303 W. Tever Street.”
“At that location, Dempsey shot and killed her 4-year-old and 4-month-old daughters. She then attempted to shoot and kill her 2-year-old daughter but missed. Dempsey then turned the firearm on herself and died by suicide.”
Law enforcement had visited the Dempsey household three separate times in the 48 hours leading up to a tragic murder-suicide, Plant City Police Chief Richard Mills revealed Thursday.
Despite repeated police contact, officers saw no immediate warning signs of the violence that was to follow, though Chief Mills noted there were ultimately “indications of some mental illness involved with the case.”
Authorities received a complaint of a “verbal confrontation” at the home two days before the shootings took place when Dempsey allegedly discovered adult content on her husband Jay’s cell phone. Chief Richard Mills, Jr. revealed that the responding officer interviewed the couple and found “no indication whatsoever” of physical violence or concerning activity.
Later that same day, officers were dispatched a second time. This time, Dempsey requested a police inspection of her vehicle. She feared that tracking devices had been planted. However, investigators found no evidence and dismissed her concerns.
Following the second visit, Dempsey left the residence alongside her three young children and her 55-year-old mother, who was visiting from Clearwater. The family spent the night at a local hotel.
The following day, police accompanied Dempsey back to the residence to retrieve clothing while her husband was away. Chief Mills added that evidence suggests the couple later met for a private conversation at a local library after she picked up her belongings.
In the initial report, the PD said that authorities found the four bodies in the 300 block of West Tever Street. Dempsey was alive when responding officers arrived. She was transported to a local hospital and later pronounced dead.
“During the investigation, officers were led to a second location in the 900 block of North Burton Street, where the 55-year-old mother of the 28-year-old was found deceased from a gunshot wound.”
Following the discovery of the bodies, Dempsey’s husband was initially detained for questioning. However, a thorough investigation into his potential involvement ruled him out as a suspect. He was released without facing any charges.
“This is a tragedy that has deeply affected two families, our community, and the men and women of the Plant City Police Department. While today’s findings provide answers and investigative closure, they cannot lessen the tremendous loss or pain caused by what occurred.”
“Our hearts remain with the Dempsey and Deboe families, especially the surviving child whose life has been forever changed,” Chief Mills said in a statement.
“As a community, I hope we continue to surround them with compassion, respect their privacy, and remember that help and hope are available for those who may be struggling.”
Disclaimer: The Inquisitr could not independently confirm the facts of this incident and is reporting based on the information available within the public record.
