Hailey Megan Dempsey, 27, is believed to have killed her mother and two daughters on May 3 in Plant City, Florida, before dying in an apparent murder‑suicide. A two‑year‑old survived after a shot intended for her missed. Investigators include a May 1 domestic dispute about material found on a husband s phone in their timeline but have not named it the definitive motive. Police say they visited the family three times before the killings and later cleared the husband after a months‑long inquiry; key questions remain about the gun and the surviving child's care.
Florida Mother Killed Her Mother and Two Daughters in Apparent Murder‑Suicide After Domestic Dispute
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Shortly before dawn on May 3 in Plant City, Florida, authorities say 27‑year‑old Hailey Megan Dempsey shot and killed her mother, 55‑year‑old Valerie DeBoe, and two of her daughters before dying in what investigators have classified as an apparent murder‑suicide. A two‑year‑old child survived when, police say, a shot meant for her missed.
What Investigators Say Happened
Police say the violence unfolded across two locations. Investigators believe the sequence began inside the family home on North Burton Street, where Dempsey shot her mother. She then left on foot with her three young daughters and, just before 7 a.m., led them behind trees and brush near West Tever Street. It was there that officers say she shot and killed a four‑year‑old and a four‑month‑old, fired at the two‑year‑old and missed, then turned the gun on herself. Responding officers found the group after receiving a disturbance call; Dempsey later died from her injuries.
Timeline And Prior Contacts With Police
- On May 1 officers responded to the home for a domestic dispute that, according to Dempsey, involved allegations of infidelity and pornography found on a husband s phone.
- Police visited the residence two more times in the days before the shootings. One follow‑up was after Dempsey reported a suspected vehicle tracking device; officers found none. The family spent a night at a hotel and later returned to collect belongings while officers stood by and reported no signs of force or criminal activity.
Plant City Police Chief Richard Mills Jr. said, I think that's where everything stemmed from.
Investigation And Open Questions
Authorities say they examined the husband s potential involvement for months and ultimately cleared him after reviewing search warrants, surveillance footage, digital records and forensic evidence, with assistance from state and federal partners. Despite closing the investigation with a finding that Dempsey acted alone, several key questions remain unanswered: where the firearm came from, who owned it, whether Dempsey left any note or explanation, and the current status and care arrangements for the surviving two‑year‑old.
Photo Credit: Rosemary Ketchum/Pexels
The case has drawn scrutiny because officers made multiple contacts with the family in the days before the killings and reported no clear warning signs. Investigators continue to emphasize the timeline of events while acknowledging they cannot yet explain why the violence occurred.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence or is in immediate danger, contact local law enforcement or a crisis hotline for help.
Photo Credit: Rosemary Ketchum/Pexels
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