Ex-Sheriff’s Sergeant Allegedly Stages Suicide In Killing Of Wife, Who Was A Lieutenant

A lieutenant with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office in Florida died in a shooting that was staged as a suicide by her estranged husband, a former sergeant at the same agency, authorities said Friday.

Anthony Shea, 49, fatally shot 39-year-old Eloilda “Ellie” Shea on Monday, the sheriff’s office said, adding that the husband “resigned earlier this year while under investigation for allegations that would have resulted in his termination.”

An arrest affidavit cited by CBS affiliate WKMG revealed that the probe was related to Anthony Shea allegedly having an intimate relationship while on duty.

The husband had contacted authorities Monday, saying he’d found his wife’s body in bed with a gun on her chest and blood pooled around her, according to WKMG and NBC affiliate WESH.

This came after he returned from a trip to the grocery store with their children, ABC affiliate WFTV reported.

Anthony Shea allegedly told detectives that Eloilda Shea had been overwhelmed by the internal investigation he faced at the sheriff’s office, stating, “We had a bad night last night, arguing about my affair.” He also said that she’d “called in sick” on Monday, according to WFTV.

Detectives, however, believed that Anthony Shea had in fact killed her. The sheriff’s office said the husband attempted to mislead investigators by using the victim’s phone to send messages to himself.

On Friday, Anthony Shea was booked into the Orange County Jail on suspicion of first-degree murder with a firearm, according to court records reviewed by HuffPost. He is being held without bond, and an attorney was not listed in his file.

Eloilda Shea was a “rising star,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement.

“She lit up every room she entered with her infectiously bubbly personality, beautiful spirit and kind smile,” the statement said. “Ellie was a mentor, teacher, advocate, protector, cheerleader and an inspiration to women aspiring to be leaders.”