PLANT CITY, FL. (THECOUNT) — Hailey Dempsey fatally shot her mother, Valerie DeBoe, and two of her young daughters before taking her own life in a May 3 murder-suicide, following a heated argument with her husband over adult material found on his cellphone, according to Plant City Police Chief Richard Mills, who discussed the case during a Thursday news conference.
The newly released details provide additional information about the events that preceded the deaths in Plant City, located in Hillsborough County in the Tampa Bay region of west-central Florida. Police said the investigation determined that a confrontation between Dempsey and her husband, Jay, two days before the killings centered on explicit adult material she discovered on his phone.
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According to Mills, Dempsey and her husband became involved in a verbal confrontation on May 1. The police chief said investigators found no indication that the dispute involved an affair, explaining that the argument instead concerned adult material located on Jay’s cellphone.
“It wasn’t cheating or anything like that, evidently it was just adult material, and they were having an argument over that,” Mills said, adding that investigators believe the confrontation was connected to what followed two days later.
Police also responded to the Dempsey residence three separate times during the days leading up to the May 3 killings, according to Mills. The chief’s disclosure about those earlier responses provides additional context for investigators’ reconstruction of the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
On May 3, police say Dempsey fatally shot her mother, DeBoe, at the family’s residence in the Tampa Bay area. Dempsey then left the home with her three young daughters.
Investigators determined that Dempsey subsequently shot two of the children, a 4-month-old and a 4-year-old, killing both. She also attempted to shoot her 2-year-old daughter, but the child was not struck, according to police.
After the shootings, Dempsey died by suicide, according to Mills. Authorities have characterized the deaths as a murder-suicide and concluded their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the May 3 incident.
The police chief’s comments were part of an effort to explain the sequence of events that investigators uncovered during their examination of the case. The May 1 dispute over the material found on Jay’s phone occurred approximately 48 hours before the killings.
Mills emphasized that the investigation did not determine that Dempsey’s husband was involved in the killings. The information released by police instead focused on the argument between the couple and the events that followed.
The case has drawn attention because of the number of victims and the young ages of the children involved. The newly disclosed information regarding the cellphone dispute adds a previously unreported element to the timeline established by investigators.
Police said their investigation included examining the circumstances surrounding the residence, the prior calls for service and the events immediately preceding the shootings. Authorities have not indicated that anyone else will face criminal charges in connection with the deaths.
The May 3 killings remain a devastating case for the Plant City community, while the police investigation has now provided a more detailed account of what authorities believe preceded the violence.
A GoFundMe was established to help surviving family members.
Via GoFundMe:
On May 3, 2026, the DeBoe family’s lives were forever changed by the tragic and senseless loss of our beloved friend and colleague, Valerie DeBoe; her 28-year-old daughter, Hailey Megan Dempsey; and two of Hailey’s young daughters, who were only 4 years old and 4 months old.
Valerie was a long-time colleague who not only opened the door to my life long career (and so many others) but, more importantly, a dear friend to so many. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, mentor, and leader. She was especially joyful in this season of life as “Gigi” to her three grandchildren.
As Valerie’s husband of 30 years and her surviving sons, ages 26 and 18, face unimaginable grief and overwhelming challenges, we want to surround them with love, support, and the reminder that they are not alone.
Your generosity can help ease some of the immediate and ongoing burdens they are facing, including funeral and memorial expenses, legal expenses, counseling and trauma support, and everyday living expenses as they begin to navigate life after this tragedy.
Every donation — no matter the amount — will help provide relief, stability, and support during an incredibly difficult time. If you are unable to donate, please consider sharing this fundraiser and keeping Valerie, Hailey, the children, and their loved ones in your thoughts and prayers.
Thank you for your compassion, kindness, and support for a family who has lost so much.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.
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