SAINT PETERSBURG, Fla. – Detectives with the Robbery, Homicide Unit have identified the suspect from the homicide investigation of 71-year-old Daniel Gillespie, Jr., as his daughter, 46-year-old Shannon Gillespie.
Deputies initially responded to a private residence located at 1506 Meadow Dale Drive in Clearwater on Thursday, November 15, 2018, for a report of a deceased person.
Detectives responded to the scene to conduct the death investigation and confirmed Daniel Gillespie, Jr. died from unnatural causes.
On November 17, 2018, the Medical Examiner’s Office performed an autopsy on the victim. The Medical Examiner advised the cause of death was blunt and sharp injuries, and the manner of death was a homicide.
Through new developments in the case, detectives learned Shannon Gillespie hid within the residence and waited for the opportunity to surprise the victim.
The suspect then beat and stabbed her father on November 15, 2018.
On Friday, March 26, 2021, at approximately 8:46 a.m. Shannon Gillespie was arrested at her residence located at 1105 Highland Street North, in St. Petersburg, for First Degree Murder.
During the arrest, Shannon Gillespie was involved in an altercation with another female on scene and was also charged with Battery.
Shannon Gillespie was transported to the Pinellas County Jail without incident.
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