Former Deputy Charged in Death of Estranged Wife, a Lieutenant

Former Deputy Charged in Death of Estranged Wife, a Lieutenant

A former deputy has been charged in his estranged wife’s death, as investigators unravel a complex web of deceit.

At a Glance

  • Eloilda Shea was found dead from a gunshot wound in a case originally deemed a suicide.
  • Authorities have charged Anthony Shea with first-degree murder, alleging he staged the scene.
  • Sheriff John Mina praised detectives for unearthing the alleged murder amid agency shock.
  • An audio recording undermines Anthony Shea’s claims regarding Ellie’s death.

The Incident Unfolds

Eloilda “Ellie” Shea, respected Lieutenant of the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, was discovered deceased with a gunshot wound to her head, initially considered a suicide. However, suspicions grew, leading to the arrest of her estranged husband, Anthony Shea. He allegedly attempted to disguise her murder as suicide.

Anthony Shea, a former sergeant with the department, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder involving a firearm. He reportedly shot Ellie and manipulated her phone to fabricate an alibi, making phone calls and sending texts. Skeptical authorities launched an extensive investigation.

Key Evidence Revealed

An inquiry uncovered critical audio from Ellie’s phone, undermining Shea’s narrative. The 50-minute recording, devoid of any gunshot sound, captured Shea entering and quickly exiting the room before dialing 911. Alarmingly, the recording revealed Shea declaring “she’s sleeping” to a child before summoning help.

It emerged that the couple had quarreled over Anthony’s affair, alleged by him to be the root of Ellie’s despondency. During the murder investigation, Anthony Shea did not participate in scheduled court proceedings, and he remains detained without bail.

Impact and Reflection

The fallout from this tragedy has been profound within the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff John Mina expressed shock and sorrow over the loss of a valued and promising team member. He commended detective efforts in conducting a challenging probe. Ellie Shea’s loss reverberates throughout the department and community, with her two daughters now without a mother.

“Ellie cared deeply about this agency and the work we do, and I considered her a rising star. We have all struggled this week with feelings of shock, grief, and guilt while we tried to make sense of Ellie’s death, which was meant to appear as a suicide,” Mina said. He also expressed gratitude to investigators for their work on her case.

Anthony Shea’s upcoming court appearance will determine further legal proceedings. Legal experts and communities await clarity in this grim situation, maintaining hope for justice. Ellie, who was part of the department since 2011, is remembered fondly.

Sources

  1. Florida lieutenant shot, killed by husband in alleged staged suicide, Orange County deputies say
  2. Hearing scheduled for former Orange County deputy accused of killing wife
  3. Former Florida deputy allegedly killed his wife, who served on the same force, and then staged it as a suicide