Matthew Kelley, a 48-year-old resident of Panama City, Florida, tragically lost his life on November 18, 2017. Kelley, who was employed at the Shrimp Basket Restaurant on Panama City Beach, was found dead in his home. The investigation revealed that he was murdered by his former roommate, Billy Herman Shaffer. Shaffer, who had previously lived with Kelley, had been evicted from the residence following the end of their domestic relationship.
On the day of the murder, Shaffer waited for Kelley to return home and then shot him with a shotgun.
The case quickly drew the attention of local law enforcement. Shaffer was apprehended shortly after the incident, having called 911 to confess to the crime. He was found a few blocks away from Kelley's home, sleeping in a storage container. Shaffer was charged with first-degree murder, burglary of a dwelling, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. During the investigation, it was revealed that Shaffer had planned the murder for about a month and a half, motivated by the failed domestic relationship and his subsequent eviction.
In February 2018, Shaffer pled guilty to first-degree murder with a firearm and other related charges. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The sentencing brought some measure of closure to Kelley's family, who expressed their struggle with forgiveness but also their relief that Shaffer would not be able to harm anyone else. The case was prosecuted by the Office of the State Attorney, with Assistant State Attorney Bob Sombathy leading the prosecution. The judge overseeing the case, Michael Overstreet, handed down the life sentence, ensuring that Shaffer would spend the rest of his life behind bars.
