The shooting death of a Florida sheriff's lieutenant by her estranged husband, also a former police sergeant, was allegedly attempted by the suspect to make it look like a suicide, law enforcement officials said.
Orange County Sheriff's Office Lt. Elilda “Ellie” Shea, 39, was found dead of a gunshot wound to the head at a home on El Prado Street around 2 p.m. Monday, an apparent suicide at the time.
“At the time, we responded to the call based on information we had that the call appeared to be a suicide,” the sheriff's office said in a news release.
However, as investigators continued their investigation, they discovered that her estranged husband, Anthony Shea, 49, a former sergeant with the Orange County Sheriff's Department, shot and killed his wife in their bedroom and “faked his actions as a crime.” It turned out that he was trying to cover it up. He committed suicide,” according to the arrest report. fox 35 Reported.
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Lt. Eloilda “Ellie” Shea, 39, was found dead Monday after allegedly being strangled to death by her husband. (Orange County Sheriff's Office)
Anthony Shea was arrested Friday on a charge of first-degree murder with a firearm and is being held in the Orange County Jail without bail.
“We had a bad night last night, arguing about my affair,” Anthony Shea reportedly said.
He resigned from the sheriff's office in August while under investigation for charges that could lead to his termination, according to the sheriff's office. He resigned after being investigated internally for sexual misconduct and adultery on the job. WESH reported.
Anthony Shea was arrested on a charge of first-degree murder using a firearm. (Orange County Sheriff's Office)
Anthony Shea joined the department in October 2006.
Ellie Shea leaves behind two daughters, the sheriff's office said. She joined the agency in 2011.
“Ellie cared deeply about this agency and our work, and I considered her a rising star,” Sheriff John Mina said in a statement. “We have been dealing with shock, grief and guilt this week as we try to make sense of Ellie's death, which we thought was a suicide. We would like to thank our Homicide Unit for their exceptionally difficult investigation. I would like to thank our detectives for their hard work in securing justice for Ellie. ”
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Ellie Shea leaves behind two daughters, the sheriff's office said. She joined the agency in 2011. (Getty Images)
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“It is devastating to think that we will never receive Ellie's kindness and warm smile again,” he added. “We pray for her two girls, the rest of her family, and everyone who loved her.”
