Deaths Of 2 Hillsborough Deputies An Apparent Murder Suicide

CARROLLWOOD, FL — An investigation is underway in the death of two Hillsborough County sheriff's deputies whose bodies were discovered Saturday night at a vacation rental home in St. Augustine.

The sheriff's office said the deputies were in a romantic relationship and were heard arguing in a bedroom by fellow deputies on vacation with them just before the sound of gunshots.

Both deputies died of gunshot wounds.

The sheriff's office said the sole shooter appears to be Detective Daniel Leyden who shot his fellow deputy before shooting himself.

Leyden was assigned to the criminal investigations division. The deputy he shot was assigned to District II in the Carrollwood area as a patrol deputy.

The shooting remains under investigation by the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office.

The Hillsborough County sheriff's peer support team, a group of employees who volunteer to provide confidential assistance to other employees and their families in times of trauma, is in touch with the colleagues of both deputies involved and available as a resource to all sheriff's personnel.

"Our sheriff's office family is still reeling from the shock of this unthinkable tragedy. My prayers for strength and comfort are with the families and loved ones of these deputies, and every member of Team HCSO affected by this painful loss," said Sheriff Chad Chronister. "Violence is never a solution, and I urge any employee who is dealing with a crisis to take advantage of the many resources our agency has created over the past several years which include peer support, chaplains and a clinical psychologist. Help is just a phone call away."