Person of Interest named in murder of married couple

By: Dave Balut

Update: Pasco County Sheriff’s Office has named Jackie Lee Braden as the person of interest in the homicide of Sherrill Shelton Wright and David Ray Wright. Braden is the son of Sherrill, and David's step-son.

According to the Pasco Sheriff's Office, Braden was one of two individuals arrested Monday February 11 by the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office on drug-related charges and is being held in the Pinellas County Jail.

Pinellas County has impounded the silver, 2005 Toyota Tundra that belongs to the victims.

The Sheriff's Office believes the murders happened between February 7 and February 11, 2008 when their bodies were found.

The Pasco Sheriff's Office is asking that if anyone has information about Jackie Lee Braden and his whereabouts during the past week to contact Detective Lisa Schoneman at 1-800-854-2862, extension 7473.

Original Story 2/12/08:

Spring Hill, Florida - Denise Hammond had a long-standing arrangement with her next-door neighbor. He'd pass her plate back over the fence, and she'd make whatever cake he wanted for the upcoming holiday.

She's already bought everything for a double fudge chocolate cake with cherries for Valentine's Day.

"And I saw him Thursday, and he gave me back the plate, that's the last I saw of him," said Hammond.

Pasco County Sheriff's deputies say David Wright and his wife Sherrill, both 54 years old, were found murdered in separate rooms in their home.

David Wright's brother and nephew went to their home Monday night, because they hadn't heard from the couple for several days.

“We're not saying whether they were shot or stabbed or anything at this point, we'd like to hold that close to our vest until we get an arrest,” said Pasco Co. Sheriff’s Spokesman Doug Tobin.

Hammond says Sherrill Wright's son had been staying with the couple recently. Deputies are talking to a person of interest, but they aren't saying who.

“They know where this person is. So it's not like this individual is out in the community to where he may be able to threaten other people," said Tobin.

Investigators spent much of the day gathering evidence before storms were forecast to move in. Other neighbors watched in shock.

"They're just quiet people, it's just surprising something like that would happen," said Mike Sinn, who lives across the street.

"Things like that just don't happen around here. Or you don't think they do," said Loretta Bennett, another neighbor.

It's especially difficult, for the neighbor who for years passed cakes and tools back and forth over the fence.

"I'm going to miss the hell of him, (cries) Oh Lord, because they were like family," said Hammond.

Neighbors say David Wright was a contractor who owned Gibraltor Construction Incorporated. Sherrill Wright stayed home and tended to her flowers.