Full Breakdown
Plant City Quadruple Murder: New Search Warrants Illuminate Victims and Evidence
6/6/2026, 12:16:39 AM
Fatal Night – Core Details of the Quadruple Homicide
On the night of May 3, 2024, police responding to a 911 call near West Tever Street and North Wheeler Street discovered four victims shot in the head: 27-year-old Hailey Dempsey, her 4-year-old daughter, her 4-month-old daughter, and Hailey’s mother, 55-year-old Valerie DeBoe. Hailey was found lying atop one of the children, still breathing after a temple wound, and died shortly after officers arrived. All three children were reported dead at the scene.
Prior Domestic Disturbance and Relationship Tensions
Two days earlier, on May 1, officers responded to a domestic-disturbance call at the same address. Body-camera footage later identified Hailey Dempsey as a participant. The call report recorded that Hailey had learned her husband, Jay Dempsey, was cheating; he admitted the affair, expressed anger, and both parties denied any physical altercation. No arrests were made following that incident.
Key Individuals
- Hailey Dempsey (27) – Mother of two, victim.
- Unnamed 4-year-old daughter – Victim.
- Unnamed 4-month-old daughter – Victim.
- Valerie DeBoe (55) – Hailey’s mother, victim.
- Jay Dempsey – Husband of Hailey, not charged and not named as a suspect in the warrants.
- Patrick Courtney – Attorney for Jay Dempsey.
Timeline of Events
- May 1 – Domestic-disturbance call; Hailey learns of husband’s infidelity.
- Early May 3 (?5:45 a.m.) – Surveillance captures Hailey and her children walking the neighborhood, entering an open garage, and knocking on a door on Saunders Street; no answer, children heard crying.
- May 3 (time of screams) – 911 call placed after hearing screams; police arrive at the yard near West Tever and North Wheeler Streets.
- Post-arrival – Officers locate the four victims; investigators later secure the family home on North Burton Street, finding DeBoe dead upstairs.
Evidence Collected
Search warrants authorized the seizure of blood evidence, ammunition, holsters, and nearly a dozen firearms from the Dempsey-DeBoe residence. Surveillance footage and audio recordings of the children’s cries were also obtained. Neighbors reported seeing Jay Dempsey depart the home early on May 3 wearing what appeared to be body armor.
Official Response and Statements
Plant City Police have not publicly identified a suspect. Jay Dempsey’s attorney, Patrick Courtney, told 10 Tampa Bay News that his client “has cooperated with the Plant City Police Department from the beginning of the investigation and continues to do so.”
Community Concerns and Unresolved Issues
Residents have expressed unease over the lack of charges despite eyewitness reports of Jay Dempsey’s presence and possible body-armor use. The absence of an identified suspect has prompted calls for a transparent investigative process and for additional resources to address potential domestic-violence patterns in the area.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Survivor Discrepancy – The warrants state Hailey was found atop “the only child who survived,” yet the same documents list both children as dead on scene.
- Suspect Identification – While neighbors observed Jay Dempsey leaving the home, the warrants do not name him as a suspect, and no motive has been publicly disclosed.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Jay Dempsey has cooperated with the Plant City Police Department from the beginning of the investigation and continues to do so.” — Patrick Courtney, Attorney
What’s Next
Investigators will continue forensic analysis of the seized firearms, blood samples, and surveillance material. Police have indicated that additional interviews with neighbors and acquaintances are planned, and the case remains open pending further leads.
