HOLIDAY DEATHS A MYSTERY: Scant few details as to why an Ormond Beach couple died outside their SUV on side of I-4 in DeLand with 3 small sons unharmed inside

Create: Mon, 01/02/2017 - 19:50
Author: Henry
Heather Keelsey's thjree young sons / Headline SurferPhotos for Headline Surfer / Above and at left, recent images of Heather Kelsey, 30, and Daniel Kelsey, 32,  from her Facebook page, as well as their three young sons, ranging in age from 8 months to 4 years old. The parents died on the side of Interstate 4 early Saturday, but their three small boys were fund inside the married couple's SUV unharmed. 
 
By HENRY FREDERICK
Headline Surfer

DELAND, Fla. -- There are far more questions than answers to why an Ormond Beach husband and wife died shortly after they were found unconscious outside their maroon SUV on the side of I-4 eastbound with the flashers on, which drew the attention of a Florida trooper on New Year's Eve. A full 48 hours later there's absolutely nothing new as to how or why they died.

The trooper, whose name was not released arrived on scene at 2:08 a.m. to check out the SUV parked I-4 near DeLand with its hazard lights on, according to a press release from Volusia County Sheriff's spokesman Andrew Gant. While Daniel A. Kelsey, 32, and Heather L. Kelsey, 30, were unconscious outside the SUV, their three  boys, between the ages of 8 months and 4 years were sitting safely inside the vehicle, Gant said. But a short time later, the parents were pronounced dead on the scene.

The children were taken to Halifax Health Medical Center in Daytona Beach as a precautionary measure, even though they appeared be unharmed, Gant said. The Florida Department of Children and Families went to meet the children at the hospital to help with the investigation.

With the case now at least 48 hours old, Headline Surfer asked Gant in writing at 4:19 p.m. today for a copy of the incident report via email, but got no response, though in fairness to Gant, this Monday is considered a holiday and the Volusia County Sheriff's Office is closed for the holiday and investigators tend to hold onto incident reports as long as possible before turning them in because they typically have basic details, though they are often heavily redacted on the basis the case is ongoing and therefore exempt from the public, even though the incident report itself is a public record.

Andrew Gant, VCSO / Headline SurferWith the case now at least 48 hours old, Headline Surfer asked Volusia County Sheriff's PIO Andrew Gan, shown here at left, in writing via email at 4:19 p.m. today for a copy of the incident report, but got no response, though in fairness to Gant, this Monday is considered a holiday and the Volusia County Sheriff's Office is closed for the holiday and investigators tend to hold onto incident reports as long as possible before turning them in because they typically have basic details, though they are often heavily redacted on the basis the case is ongoing and therefore exempt from the public, even though the incident reportt itself is a public record.

One thing Gant did say was there were no signs of foul play from the scene.

At 2:15 p.m. on this Monday holiday Gant released the following information: "FYI for all those seeking updates in this case: Our investigators are awaiting the preliminary results of autopsies on Daniel and Heather Kelsey. Those autopsies have not yet been scheduled by the medical examiner’s office. As soon as we have those results, we will send you an update with preliminary causes of death, if available, and any other details we’re able to release from our investigation. In the meantime, thanks for your patience and understanding."

Nothing was released as to where the Kelseys may have been coming from since their SUV was eastbound on I-4 during the early morning hours of New Year's Eve, but Heather Kelsey has said she's from Sanford.