Dennis Grimes sits at a table in his one-story Brandon home, surrounded by a few close friends. It's been less than 24 hours since his wife died.

"I don't know what I'm going to do because she's been everything to me," Grimes said as he wiped his eyes. "I'll survive. I have to."

Shelley Grimes took her dog Quincy out for a walk around 11 p.m. on Saturday and didn't come back. About 15 to 20 minutes later, Dennis heard a knock.

"The police were at my door," Dennis said.

The dog had made its way back without Shelley, and the police delivered the bad news.

"They stayed with me for probably an hour, telling me over and over again that she was dead, comforting me," Dennis said.



The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office says Shelley was crossing Providence Road when she was struck by a Chrysler 300. The car left the scene, continuing southbound on Providence. Officials say the vehicle is missing its driver's side rear view mirror and will have damage to the hood and windshield. Deputies are still looking for the driver, who may have had two passengers in the car.

Shelley died at the scene.

She was 59 years old and she had spent most of her life with Dennis -- and he with her. They were married 39 years but together for 41. They did everything together, from taking their pets to the park or making plans with friends.

"All of our plans are made together and they have been for as long as I can remember," he said. "There's been two of us, but really it was just one of us."

For now, Dennis says he will take it a day at a time. His friends will take him to the airport to pick up his daughter, Ashley, who flew in from California as soon as she was given the news.

"She's in my heart and I'm going to do everything as I normally would," Dennis said. "That will just keep her with me as best I can."

Shelley leaves behind her husband, a daughter, a dog, two cats, and countless friends. Anyone with information is asked to call the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office at 813-247-8200 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-873-8477.