POLICE WERE CALLED 3 TIMES IN 2 DAYS — THEN A FAMILY TRAGEDY UNFOLDED

Just 48 hours before a horrific Florida murder-suicide, police had already been called to the same family’s home three times. The calls involved a heated argument, fears of a tracking device and a return to the house for clothing. At the time, officers found no indication of violence or criminal behavior. Days later, four members of the family were dead.

THREE POLICE CALLS BEFORE THE SHOOTINGS

According to Plant City Police Chief Richard Mills, officers responded to the Dempsey family’s home three times during the two days before the killings.

The first call came on May 1 after 27-year-old Hailey Dempsey reportedly argued with her husband, Jay, over pornographic material she had discovered on his phone.

Police said there was no indication of physical violence or criminal conduct during that visit.

Later that same day, another call was made after Dempsey expressed concern that a tracking device might have been placed on her vehicle.

Officers checked — but found nothing.

THE FAMILY LEFT THE HOUSE

Following the incidents, Hailey left the home with her three young daughters and her mother, 55-year-old Valerie DeBoe.

They stayed at a hotel.

The following day, police were called again to accompany Hailey back to the family home so she could collect clothing while her husband was away.

Authorities also said Hailey and Jay later met at a local library for a private conversation.

At that point, there was still no indication that the situation would escalate into the tragedy that followed.

THEN CAME MAY 3

In the early hours of May 3, authorities say Hailey shot her mother, Valerie DeBoe, at the family’s Plant City home.

She later fled with her three daughters.

Police said she fatally shot her 4-year-old and 4-month-old daughters and attempted to shoot her 2-year-old daughter, but missed.

Hailey then died by suicide.

The youngest surviving child was later reported to be in good health and staying with family.

WHAT DID INVESTIGATORS FIND?

The three-month investigation examined the circumstances leading up to the killings.

Hailey’s husband was initially detained after the deaths, but investigators ultimately ruled him out as a suspect. He was never arrested or charged in connection with the killings.

Police Chief Mills also said investigators found indications of mental illness in the case, while emphasizing that he did not want to speculate about the motive.

THE QUESTIONS THAT REMAIN

The most haunting part of the case may be what happened before the violence.

Police had already been called.

The family had temporarily left the home.

Concerns had been raised about surveillance.

And there had been conflict inside the household.

Yet officers who responded did not find evidence at that time indicating that a violent crime was about to occur.

That does not mean the tragedy could have been predicted or prevented.

But it does leave difficult questions about how rapidly a domestic crisis can escalate — and how impossible it can sometimes be to recognize the danger before it is too late.

3 POLICE CALLS.

 1 FAMILY TEMPORARILY LEAVING HOME.

3 CHILDREN CAUGHT IN AN UNIMAGINABLE TRAGEDY.

1 CHILD SURVIVED.

 AND AN INVESTIGATION THAT TOOK MONTHS TO COMPLETE.

Plant City Police Chief Richard Mills described the crime scene as the worst he had encountered in his 34 years in law enforcement.

For the surviving child and the relatives left behind, the investigation is no longer simply about understanding what happened.

It is about living with what cannot be undone.

THE CALLS CAME BEFORE THE TRAGEDY.

But no one answering those calls could know exactly how the story would end.

This post summarizes publicly reported information from law enforcement and news reports. It does not imply that the earlier police responses caused or could necessarily have prevented the subsequent tragedy.