Misty Wright Herring, a 41-year-old mother of two, was found dead on October 16, 2014, in her home in Jay, Florida. The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call reporting a shooting at 3771 Nowling Road early that morning. Upon arrival, deputies discovered the bodies of Misty and her estranged husband, 43-year-old Max Bruce Herring, inside the residence. The incident was quickly identified as a murder-suicide, with Max Bruce Herring being the perpetrator.
The couple was in the process of getting a divorce, and the shooting appeared to be related to domestic violence. Misty Herring was a pharmacist at Duramed Pharmacy in Jay and had previously worked at Flomaton Pharmacy.
The investigation revealed that the shooting occurred during the overnight hours. Misty had two children from a previous marriage, who were not involved in the incident and were being cared for by relatives. Investigators also examined a truck in the parking lot of the Moore Creek-Mt Carmel Utilities company, a short distance from the scene, and removed at least one weapon, a long gun, from the vehicle. The vehicle reportedly belonged to one of the victims. The Jay schools were placed on a brief lockdown as deputies responded and began their investigation, but the lockdown was lifted after it was determined to be a likely murder-suicide with no other suspects.
Further details from the investigation indicated that the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office received the call at 5:55 a.m., and deputies were on the scene within four minutes. The caller reported hearing gunshots inside the residence and hid in the bushes while talking to dispatchers. Deputies entered the home through the back door and found the two deceased individuals. The deaths were pronounced at 6:37 a.m. Crime scene technicians recovered a weapon, although specific information about the weapon was redacted. The investigation also noted the recovery of photos, negatives, ammunition, an iPad, and a bullet projectile at the scene. Autopsies were conducted, but toxicology results were pending at the time.
The tragic incident of Misty Wright Herring’s death highlighted the severe consequences of domestic violence. The investigation confirmed that there were no other suspects involved, and the case was treated as a murder-suicide. Misty’s children were left in the care of family members, and the community mourned the loss of a dedicated pharmacist and mother. The case remains a somber reminder of the importance of addressing domestic violence and providing support to those affected.
