Whipple Pleads Guilty, Sentenced to Life for Murder of Carol Demmons

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that Darryl Whipple pleaded guilty to First-Degree Murder for the 2016 murder of Carol Demmons. Following his plea, the Honorable Jeb Branham sentenced Whipple to life in Florida State Prison without the possibility of parole.

On Oct. 12, 2016, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office responded to a Memorial Park Boulevard restaurant after receiving a call that a woman inside had been set on fire. When officers arrived, witnesses directed them to Whipple, who was sitting in the parking lot.

The investigation revealed that Whipple and Demmons were previously in a relationship. On the day of the incident, Whipple walked into the restaurant and approached Demmons, who was working in the bakery area. Whipple poured gasoline over Demmons’ head and back before pulling out a lighter and setting her on fire as she tried to get away. Whipple walked back outside and waited for police to arrive. Demmons was badly burned, and she was transported to the burn unit at UF Health Gainesville where she later died from her injuries.

The case was investigated by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Chris Huband.