CRIS JENNINGS

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

On Monday, July 15, 2024, around 4:45 a. m., HCSO received a 9-1-1 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.

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; 2 counts of armed burglary with battery; aggravated battery; and armed false imprisonment.

This is an active investigation.