ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — A Florida law enforcement officer who initially appeared to have died by suicide was actually shot and killed by her husband, authorities said in a Facebook Post.
Anthony Shea, 49, is facing first-degree murder charges in connection with the death of his wife, Eloilda “Ellie” Shea, a lieutenant at the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. Anthony, an 18-year veteran of the agency, resigned earlier this year while officials said he was "under investigation for allegations that would have resulted in his termination."
According to a report from the Bradenton Herald, deputies wrote in an affidavit that Anthony said he had an affair while on duty.
On Oct. 14, deputies from OSCO responded to a call about a suicide in the Rio Pinar area, the agency said. Once they arrived, law enforcement officials learned the call had to do with Ellie Shea.
The Bradenton Herald explains that text message evidence from Ellie Shea’s cell phone, an inadvertent audio recording and surveillance video eventually led investigators to believe that the incident was not a suicide as they had first believed.
Law enforcement officials concluded that she was "murdered by her estranged husband," the sheriff's office stated.
Authorities said Anthony Shea is now being held in the Orange County jail on no bond.
"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," the sheriff's office said in a Facebook post. "A loving mommy of two little girls, Ellie served her community with grace, integrity and pride, and she will be profoundly missed."
