A Florida mom who killed her own mother and two of her kids before turning the gun on herself had argued with her husband about porn on his phone in the days before the slayings, cops said.
Hailey Dempsey, 27, shot her mom, Valerie DeBoe, in the early hours of May 3 at her home in Plant City, in the Tampa Bay area.
She then fled on foot with her three young daughters before killing her 4-year-old and 4-month-old daughters — and shooting at 2-year-old daughter but missing. She then turned the gun on herself.
Plant City Police Chief Richard Mills revealed Thursday that police had responded to the Dempseys’ home three times in the two days before the shootings.
The first call on Friday, May 1, was related to a “verbal confrontation” over porn that Dempsey had allegedly found on her husband Jay’s cell phone, the police chief said.
“It wasn’t cheating or anything like that, evidently it was just porn, and they were having an argument over that,” he told reporters. “I think that’s what everything stemmed from.”
Mills said the officer who showed up spoke with the couple and there was “no indication whatsoever” that there had been any violence or criminal behavior involved.
Later that same day, cops received another call because Dempsey wanted cops to check if there was a tracking device on her car –– but nothing was found.
Dempsey left the property with the kids and her 55-year-old mom –– who was visiting from Clearwater –– and they stayed at a hotel overnight.
The following day cops received another call to accompany them back to the family home to pick up clothing while her husband was away from the house. the police chief said.
Mills added that there was some evidence that the couple had met up at a local library and had a “one-on-one” conversation after Dempsey had returned home to pick up the clothing.
Dempsey’s husband was detained following the murders, but after his potential involvement was “thoroughly investigated” he was ruled out as a suspect and never arrested or charged.
Mills said there were “indications of some mental illness involved with the case.”
The three-month investigation into the horrendous tragedy had “required patience, diligence and precision”, he added.
“I’ve been in law enforcement for 34 years, I was on that scene, and it was probably the worst scene that I’ve ever seen in my life,” Mills said, fighting back tears.
“It’s absolutely heartbreaking. the worst thing I’ve ever seen in my life.”
Asked how the surviving child was doing, he said she is in “good health” and staying with family.
If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or are experiencing a mental health crisis and live in New York City, you can call 1-888-NYC-WELL for free and confidential crisis counseling.
If you live outside the five boroughs, you can dial the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention hotline at 1-800-273-8255 or go to SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.