Plant City FL:A quiet Plant City neighborhood was left grieving after four members of a family died in a shooting that authorities now say was a murder-suicide. Following a three-month investigation, Plant City police released new findings on August 13, 2026.
Police identified 27-year-old Hailey Dempsey as the person responsible for killing her mother, Valerie DeBoe, and two of her young children before taking her own life. The deaths occurred on May 3, 2026.
Investigators said Dempsey first shot her mother inside the family home. She later left the residence with her three children. Police determined that two of the children, a 4-year-old and a 4-month-old, were fatally shot. A 2-year-old child survived an attempted shooting.
Authorities said the investigation involved multiple crime scenes, surveillance footage, digital evidence and other forensic work. Police also ruled out Dempsey’s husband, Jay Dempsey, as a suspect after investigating his whereabouts.
Police have not established a definitive motive, although Chief Richard Mills Jr. said investigators found indications of mental-health difficulties. Reports of possible postpartum psychosis remain an investigative consideration rather than a confirmed motive.
The case has deeply affected the Plant City community, leaving relatives and residents to mourn a devastating loss while authorities continue emphasizing the importance of mental-health support.