Plant City Quadruple Homicide: Mother, Two Daughters, and Grandmother Killed as Suspect Jay Dempsey Arrested and Later Flees

PLANT CITY, Fla. — Authorities are investigating a fatal incident in which four family members were found dead inside a residence in Plant City, Florida, in early May 2026. The victims have been identified as Hailey Dempsey, her two young daughters, Belle and Kelsey, and their grandmother. Officials have not yet publicly released the grandmother’s name.

Law enforcement has identified a suspect, Jay Dempsey, who is reported to be the estranged husband of Hailey Dempsey and the father of the children. He was initially taken into custody but later released due to insufficient evidence at that stage of the investigation. Authorities subsequently reported developments indicating that the suspect left a wooded area at night, retrieved a vehicle belonging to the deceased, and fled the scene. A multi-agency search effort is currently underway.

The incident occurred at a private residence in Plant City, a community located in Hillsborough County, approximately 25 miles east of Tampa. Investigators have confirmed that all four victims suffered fatal injuries consistent with a violent crime. A third child was discovered unharmed at the scene and is now under the care of relatives or child welfare authorities.

The investigation remains active, and officials have not yet released further details regarding motive or specific circumstances. Law enforcement agencies continue to appeal for public assistance as they work to locate the suspect and clarify the sequence of events.

Authorities have also stated that victim identification and next-of-kin notifications are ongoing. Funeral and memorial arrangements will be released by the families when appropriate.

The information provided is subject to update as the investigation develops, and officials emphasize that all details remain preliminary.