A Florida law enforcement officer who appeared to have died by suicide last week was actually shot and killed by her husband, authorities and the officer’s former colleagues said.
Officers with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office responded on Monday, October 14, to a call that initially appeared to be a suicide. They found Lt. Eloilda “Ellie” Shea, 39, dead in Orlando’s Rio Pinar neighborhood, the sheriff’s office said in an announcement days later.
But Orange County homicide detectives conducted a death investigation and determined that Shea was actually murdered by her estranged husband, Anthony Shea, who previously served as a sergeant in the same sheriff’s office. Detectives believe Anthony Shea tried to make his wife’s death look like a suicide by using her phone to send messages to his own phone and mislead officers who arrived to investigate, CBS affiliate WKMG-TV reported.
Authorities arrested Anthony Shea, 49, on charges of first-degree murder in the shooting death of his wife. He was being held without bond at the Orange County Jail on Friday, according to the sheriff’s office.
Anthony Shea joined the Orange County Sheriff’s Office in 2006 and resigned as a sergeant earlier this year. The office said he was under investigation at the time for allegations that led to his dismissal, although details about the nature of those allegations were not made clear.
“We are grateful to our homicide detectives, who had the extremely difficult task of investigating the murder of a colleague, for their dedication in ensuring justice for Ellie,” the sheriff’s office said.
The office said in a separate statement that its staff was mourning the death of Ellie Shea and struggling to come to terms with “a devastating loss,” praising the friendly attitude and work ethic for which the lieutenant was “beloved.”
“At just 39 years old, Lt. Shea joined the Orange County Sheriff’s Office in 2011 and quickly made a name for herself as a compassionate law enforcement officer, a rising star and friend to so many she worked with,” the statement said. “She lit up every room she entered with her infectiously bubbly personality, beautiful spirit and friendly smile.”
Shea’s colleagues describe her as “a mentor, teacher, advocate, protector, cheerleader and an inspiration to women who want to become leaders.” She was also the mother of two young children, seven-year-old daughter Lana and two-year-old Raquel. Anthony Shea is their father.
The sheriff’s office asked community members to consider donating to a GoFundMe campaign to support the children as they face a “difficult road ahead.” The fundraiser received more than $38,000 of its $100,000 goal as of Tuesday morning.
“Family and friends will care for Lana and Rocky during the most devastating time of their lives. So any kindness that can be shown to the family will be greatly appreciated. Your donation will go towards everything the family needs during this time. time,” reads a description of the campaign. “Please keep the family in your prayers as they grieve and process the sadness of this situation.”
