A police report shows officers responded to a domestic disturbance at a Plant City homicide scene less than 48 hours before four family members were found dead.
PLANT CITY, Fla. — A police report obtained by 10 Tampa Bay News is shedding new light on events leading up to a quadruple homicide in Plant City that left a mother, her two young children and their grandmother dead.
Plant City police said a 27-year-old woman and her two daughters, ages 4 years and 4 months, were found shot Sunday morning in a lot near Tever and Wheeler streets. The children died at the scene, and the mother later died at the hospital.
A third daughter was also found at the scene but was not injured.
A short time later, police said a 55-year-old woman was found shot and killed inside a home about a half mile away on North Burton.
According to a police report obtained by 10 Tampa Bay News, officers responded to a domestic disturbance at that home on Friday, less than 48 hours before the killings.
The report states that around 6:30 p.m., 27-year-old Hailey Dempsey caught her husband, Jay Dempsey, watching pornography and discovered he was cheating.
According to the report, the couple told officers Jay admitted to it and became angry. Hailey reportedly wanted to leave the home with their three children and called her mother, who heard the argument and contacted police.
Officers documented no visible injuries, and both Hailey and Jay Dempsey told police the incident was only verbal and did not become physical.
The report states Hailey’s mother later arrived at the home, and Hailey left with her children.
Less than two days later, four people were dead.
Police have not publicly identified the victims and say no one is in custody. They are asking for anyone with doorbell or surveillance video from Sunday between 5:30 am and 7 a.m. in the areas of North Burton and West Tever to contact the police department.
Neighbors said the lack of information has left many in the community uneasy, but Plant City police continue to maintain there is no threat to public safety.
Jay Dempsey has deleted his social media accounts. He worked for 2 College Brothers Moving and Storage, but in a statement, CEO Wade Swinkle said he’s no longer employed:
“We are heartbroken by the recent tragic incident that led to the loss of life for members of the Dempsey family,” Swinkle said. “Jay Dempsey is no longer an employee at 2 College Brothers Moving and Storage. Our thoughts and prayers are with the loved ones of the deceased. We stand with the Tampa Bay community in grief, and will continue to support and uplift our neighbors in every way possible during this trying time. We are cooperating with authorities amid the ongoing investigation and cannot comment further.”