UPDATE 18-218 – Detectives Arrest St. Petersburg Woman for First Degree Murder
Homicide Arrest
Update as of 1:40 p.m. on Friday, March 26, 2021
Shannon Mary Gillespie (Suspect – Arrested)
DOB: 9/27/1974
Address: 1105 Highland Street, N #1, St. Petersburg
Charges: One count of First Degree Murder and one count of Battery (Simple)
The battery victim has requested to remain confidential under Amendment 6. No further details will be released that would tend to identify the victim.
PINELLAS COUNTY – 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 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.
The investigation continues.
Booking photo is below.
***End of Update***
***Original News Release***
18-218 Detectives Conducting Death Investigation In Clearwater
Death Investigation
Who:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Patrol Operations Bureau
Investigative Operations Bureau
-Robbery/Homicide Unit
Daniel Gillespie Jr. (Deceased)
DOB: 11/13/1947
Address: 1506 Meadow Dale Drive, Clearwater
What:
Detectives assigned to the Robbery/Homicide Unit are conducting a death investigation where a man was found deceased inside his residence.
When:
Deputies responded to the private residence in Clearwater at approximately 9:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 15, 2018.
Where:
The incident occurred at the victim's home located at 1506 Meadow Dale Drive in Clearwater.
Why/How:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s deputies responded to 1506 Meadow Dale Drive in Clearwater, regarding reports of a deceased person.
According to detectives, 71-year-old Daniel Gillespie, Jr. was found inside of his residence. When deputies arrived he was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Detectives have confirmed that Gillespie died from unnatural causes.
Next of kin has been notified.
This continues to be an open and on-going investigation.
This investigation does not appear to be related to any other open death investigations.
No further information is available at this time.
