On July 15, 2024, around 4:45 a.m., the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) received a 911 call regarding an unresponsive woman found in a residence on the 18000 block of Crescent Road in Keystone, Florida. Upon arrival, deputies discovered Valerie Dandrea, a 64-year-old woman, with upper body trauma, specifically a gunshot wound. She was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The investigation revealed that the incident was not a random act, and there was no immediate threat to the public. Detectives spoke with Cris Jennings, a 53-year-old man who lived on the same property but in a separate structure from Dandrea's home. Jennings admitted to shooting Dandrea following a verbal altercation over cash that escalated into violence.
Jennings also confessed to threatening another individual with a firearm before the deputies arrived.
He was promptly arrested and is facing multiple charges, including Pre-Meditated First-Degree Murder, Armed Burglary with Battery (x2), Aggravated Battery, and Armed False Imprisonment.
The property where the incident occurred was described as having several living areas under construction and was often home to several transients, with neighbors referring to it as a "compound." The HCSO emphasized their commitment to ensuring that those who commit violent acts are held accountable, and the swift action of the deputies brought some measure of closure to the victim's family.
The investigation is ongoing, but as of the current updates, Cris Jennings remains in custody for his role in Valerie Dandrea's death. The HCSO continues to gather evidence and ensure justice is served for the victim and her family.
