CLEARWATER, Fla. — A 38-year-old woman was arrested early Sunday following the discovery of her boyfriend, 60-year-old Patrick Denney, dead from an apparent gunshot wound inside their Clearwater home. Amanda Tenney faces charges of first-degree murder and additional related offenses after authorities allege she attempted to conceal evidence of the crime.
Law enforcement officials responded to a home on Illinois Road just after 1 a.m. Sunday. A neighbor reported hearing a loud sound accompanied by a woman claiming to possess a gun. When deputies arrived, they found Tenney at the entrance. Despite having recently showered, she had blood visible on her face, legs, and feet.
As investigators examined the scene, they discovered bloody footprints leading around the house and located Denney’s body in a bedroom. He was pronounced dead at the scene, suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. A .45 caliber Smith & Wesson handgun, which detectives believe was used in the shooting, was recovered from another room in the residence.
After being read her rights, Tenney allegedly confessed to handling the firearm and moving it outside, but she denied firing it. However, investigators found gunfire evidence outside the home, including bullet holes in nearby structures and a bullet fragment located in a neighbor’s residence.
Authorities later revealed that Tenney has a prior felony conviction, prohibiting her from possessing firearms legally. This initial finding prompted police to take her into custody on multiple charges, including possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and discharging a weapon into a dwelling. The murder charge was added as the investigation progressed.
A motive for the alleged shooting has not been disclosed by authorities. Court records indicate that Tenney has pleaded not guilty and is currently held at the Pinellas County Jail as legal proceedings continue.
Denney operated a local business, Missouri Collision and Paint, and was remembered in his obituary as a passionate supporter of dog welfare, auto racing, and fishing. Friends described him as generous and someone who consistently offered help to others in his community.
Residents in the area expressed their shock concerning the incident, remarking on the generally tranquil nature of the neighborhood. As the investigation unfolds, detectives are continuing to gather evidence and interview acquaintances of both Tenney and Denney.
No additional charges have been announced, and officials have not released further details regarding the circumstances preceding the shooting. The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office is urging anyone with information relevant to this case to come forward.