ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – A lieutenant with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office in Florida was reportedly shot and killed by her estranged husband who is accused of staging the scene to look like a suicide, according to reports.
On Monday at about 2 p.m., Lt. Eloilda “Ellie” Shea, 39, was found dead from a gunshot wound to the head at a residence on El Prado Avenue in response to what appeared at the time to be a suicide, Law&Crime reported.
The woman’s estranged husband, identified as Anthony Shea, 49, a former OCSO sergeant, is accused of murder in the first degree with a firearm.
“At the time, we responded to those inquiries with the information we had, which was that the call appeared to be a suicide,” the sheriff’s office said in a press statement.
Anthony Shea made the 911 call Monday afternoon, according to an arrest affidavit obtained by WKMG. When homicides detectives arrived, the husband allegedly said he had found his wife on their bed, in a pool of blood, a gun resting on her chest.
“We had a bad night last night, arguing about my affair,” Anthony Shea told detectives, according to a copy of the affidavit obtained by WFTV.
Homicide investigators eventually concluded that Anthony Shea shot and killed his wife in her bedroom and “attempted to conceal his actions under the guise of a suicide,” according to the arrest report, Fox 35 reported.
Lt. Eloilda “Ellie” Shea was found dead on Monday after she was allegedly killed by her husband. (OCSO)
According to the affidavit, a combination of cell phone records as well as audio from a body-worn camera led detectives to believe the victim had been murdered. The defendant reportedly used his wife’s phone to send messages to his own phone, delayed calling 911 after the shooting and misled deputies at the scene, Law&Crime reported.
Anthony Shea was arrested on Friday for first-degree murder with a firearm, and was booked at the Orange County Jail where he is being held without bond, according to Fox News.
The accused murderer resigned from the sheriff’s office in August, while under investigation for allegations that would have resulted in his termination, OCSO said. He resigned due to being under an internal investigation for having an affair and having had intercourse on duty, WESH reported.
Anthony Shea was arrested for first-degree murder with a firearm. (Orange County Sheriff’s Office)
Anthony Shea originally joined the agency in October 2006. Ellie Shea had been with the department since 2011. The couple have two daughters together, according to WESH.
“Ellie cared deeply about this agency and the work we do, and I considered her a rising star,” Sheriff John Mina said in a statement. “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. I want to thank our homicide detectives, who had the extraordinarily difficult job of investigating a colleague’s murder, for their diligence in ensuring justice for Ellie.”
“It’s devastating to know we will never again be on the receiving end of Ellie’s kindness or warm smile,” he added. “We pray for her two girls, the rest of her family, and all of those who love her.”
In a separate press release, OCSO fondly remembered the slain lieutenant for her many attributes.
“She lit up every room she entered with her infectiously bubbly personality, beautiful spirit and kind smile,” the department noted. “Ellie was a mentor, teacher, advocate, protector, cheerleader and an inspiration to women aspiring to be leaders.”
“A loving mommy of two little girls, Ellie served her community with grace, integrity and pride, and she will be profoundly missed.”
“Her Orange County Sheriff’s Office family has been rocked by this tragedy, and we are wrapping our arms around each other – and all those who love Ellie – while we try to cope with this devastating loss,” it concluded.
