Hillsborough Deputy Kills Wife In Apparent Murder-Suicide

LAND O'LAKES, FL -- The Pasco County Sheriff's Office is investigating an apparent murder-suicide in which a Hillsborough County Sheriff's deputy shot and killed his wife before turning the gun on himself..

Deputy Kirk Keithley, 39, shot and killed his wife Samantha Keithley, 33, around midnight Monday, Sept. 24, in the 17000 block of Terrazzo Way in Bexley Village in Land O' Lakes.

In a press conference, Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco said four children age 14 years old and younger were inside the home when the shootings occurred.

The 14-year-old ran from the house and called 911 after hearing an argument between his parents followed by gunshots, Nocco said.

Deputies found Samantha Keithley's body on the couch and Kirk Keithley dead in another room. All of the children were safe.

"Just pray for these kids," Nocco said. "It's Monday morning; there's a lot of people waking up, getting ready to go to school, and there's four children trying to put their shattered lives together and figure out what just happened to them overnight."

Keithley worked for the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office's District 2 as a patrol deputy for nine years. Prior to joining Hillsborough County, he worked for the St. Petersburg Police Department for six years.

Nocco said the Pasco Sheriff's Office had received no previous calls to Keithley's home.

Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister issued the following statement:

"I cannot begin to express how disheartened I am. Domestic violence has no place in our society. I ask that everyone join me and the rest of our office and pray for those innocent children who are left behind and have to pick up the pieces. This is something that is impossible to comprehend for even the most seasoned person. Please keep them in your hearts as we all try to make our way through this tragedy. We have made every resource within our Employee Assistance programs available to any employee who may be struggling."

Image via Pasco Sheriff

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