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Man Arrested for Keystone Murder

For Immediate Release : Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office
Release Number: 24-147

Date

Location

Man Arrested for Keystone Murder

UPDATE:

July 15, 6 p.m.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office has arrested a man responsible for a murder in Keystone.

On July 15, 2024, around 4:45 a.m., HCSO received a 911 call from an individual who located an unresponsive woman inside a residence on the 18000 block of Crescent Road.

Upon arrival, deputies located Valerie Dandrea, 64, with upper body trauma. She was pronounced deceased on the scene.

During the investigation, detectives spoke to Cris Jennings, 53, who lives on the property in a structure separate from the victim's home. Jennings admitted there was a verbal altercation over cash that escalated into him shooting Dandrea.

"Our deputies acted quickly to apprehend the suspect and bring some measure of closure to the victim's family," said Sheriff Chad Chronister. "This tragic incident underscores our commitment to ensuring that those who commit violent acts are held accountable."

Detectives also learned that Jennings threatened an additional victim with a firearm at his residence prior to deputies arriving.

Jennings is now facing charges of:

  • Pre-Meditated First-Degree Murder
  • Armed Burglary with Battery x2
  • Aggravated Battery
  • Armed False Imprisonment

The booking photo above was from an arrest of Jennings in 2002.

This is an active investigation. Any updates will come from the Public Affairs Office.

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UPDATE:

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a murder in Keystone.

Around 4:45 a.m. HCSO received a 911 call indicating they located an unresponsive woman inside a residence on 18000 block of Crescent Road.

Upon arrival, deputies located a woman in her 60s with upper body trauma. She was pronounced deceased on the scene.

Our detectives are talking with neighbors and potential witnesses working to determine what transpired this morning.

“No one wants to wake up to police cars on the street of their neighborhood,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “Our detectives are working diligently to gather all the evidence to bring justice to this victim.”

At this point in the investigation, our detectives do not believe this was a random act and that there is no threat to the public.

This is an active investigation. Any updates will come from the Public Affairs Office.

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July 15, 2024, 6 a.m.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office is on the scene of a death investigation in Keystone.

Around 4:45 a.m. HCSO received a 911 call indicating they located an unresponsive adult inside a residence on Crescent Road in Keystone.

Once on scene, deputies located an adult woman with signs of upper body trauma. 

Media responding to the scene are asked to RSVP to publicaffairs@teamhcso.com