What happened to Orange County Lt. Eloilda Shea? Former Florida sheriff’s deputy arrested after killing estranged wife

Eloilda Shea (Image via Instagram / @sheriffdeputies)
Eloilda Shea (Image via Instagram / @sheriffdeputies)

Eloilda Shea, a 39-year-old Lt. at the Orange County Sherrif's Office, was allegedly murdered by her estranged husband, former Sgt. Anthony Shea, 49, on Friday.

They worked at the same police department, and Anthony had initially attempted to disguise Eloilda Shea's murder as a suicide. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office initially responded on Monday to what seemed to be the suicide of Lt. Eloilda “Ellie” Shea.


What led to the murder of Eloilda Shea?

According to the sheriff’s office, Anthony Shea had resigned earlier this year while under investigation for issues that could have led to his termination. Reports indicate that he was being investigated for having an affair while on duty.

According to the arrest report, the murder happened at around 2 p.m. on Monday. On the night before the incident, Anthony told the police that he and Eloilda Shea had a heated argument about his infidelity. He claimed Ellie needed space, prompting him to leave the house and go to a grocery store. When he returned, he found her lying in a pool of blood in the bedroom.

Initially, Shea cooperated with the detectives to investigate the scene but rescinded that consent. However, by the end of the week, homicide investigators concluded that Eloilda Shea had been shot and killed by her estranged husband, former Sgt. Anthony Shea.

The police report indicated that Anthony Shea tried to manipulate the crime scene and guided deputies to evidence that would support his alibi. Investigators suspect he sent messages from Eloilda’s phone and accidentally activated an audio recorder that ran for 50 minutes, which did not capture any gunshots.

Detectives believe Ellie was already deceased at that time. The recording did, however, capture Anthony entering the room and staying there for nearly a minute before dialing 911, but it did not show him attempting to administer any medical assistance.

Eloilda Shea had been a member of the Orange County Sherrif's Office department since 2011 and was the mother of two daughters. The OCSO posted on X, clarifying the details of Eloilda Shea's murder. They wrote:

An official page that pays tribute to Sherrif Deputies wrote on their Instagram account:

"Words cannot do justice to the pain our OCSO family is experiencing this week as we mourn the loss of Lieutenant Eloilda "Ellie" Shea, who was shot and killed by her estranged husband on Monday, October 14. Lt. Shea, just 39 years old, joined the Orange County Sheriff’s Office in 2011, quickly making her mark as a compassionate law enforcement officer, rising star and friend to so many she worked alongside."
"She lit up every room she entered with her infectiously bubbly personality, beautiful spirit and kind smile. 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.🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽💙🇺🇸Florida"

Anthony Shea, who had served with the department since 2006, is being held without bail.

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Edited by pshmueni