PUBLIC INFORMATION ANNOUNCEMENT

Deaths of Three Fleming Island Residents Investigated

Detectives from the CCSO Robbery-Homicide Unit remain at 2921 Grand Oaks Way on Fleming Island, the scene of an apparent double-murder suicide.

The Sheriff’s Office responded to the home at 6:15am this morning and found three people deceased inside; one adult and two juveniles.

Jerry Whitelaw (DOB 4-28-60)
Kevin Whitelaw (DOB 8-22-93)
Katie Whitelaw (DOB 8-17-98)

The bodies of the two children (victims) and the body of the suspected perpetrator were found by Dana Whitelaw (DOB 10-17-62) this morning. Detectives believe the shootings were committed while Dana Whitelaw was in the shower. We are not revealing at this time the number of gun shots, the location of the gun shot wounds on the victims, or the locations inside the homes where the bodies were found. Jerry and Dana Whitelaw had been married for over sixteen years but had filed for divorce this summer. While divorce proceedings were ongoing, the two remained in their home together with their two children. The CCSO has had no prior calls for service to this location for any domestic disputes or otherwise.

The children’s schools have been notified of the incident. Kevin Whitelaw was a student at St. Johns Country Day School in Orange Park and Katie Whitelaw was a student at Grace Episcopal Day School in Orange Park. The family’s next of kin have been notified. Kevin Whitelaw and Katie Whitelaw are the 10th and 11th homicide victims in Clay County in 2009.