On Monday afternoon Orange County Deputies responded to a call that appeared to be a suicide. The call involved an Orange County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) Lieutenant Eloilda “Ellie” Shea.
In a press release OCSO stated, “In the days since this tragedy rocked our agency, OCSO homicide detectives – who conduct all death investigations – have determined that Ellie Shea was murdered by her estranged husband, Anthony Shea, a former OCSO Sergeant.”
Shea’s husband, Anthony Shea, was arrested Friday on charges of First Degree Murder in the shooting death of his wife.
An 18-year veteran, Anthony Shea had worked for OCSO for 18 years. Shea resigned earlier this year while under investigation for allegations that would have resulted in his termination.
“Ellie cared deeply about this agency and the work we do, and I considered her a rising star. We have all struggled this week with feelings of shock, grief and guilt while we tried to make sense of Ellie’s death, which was meant to appear as a suicide. I want to thank our homicide detectives, who had the extraordinarily difficult job of investigating a colleague’s murder, for their diligence in ensuring justice for Ellie,” said Sheriff John Mina. “It’s devastating to know we will never again be on the receiving end of Ellie’s kindness or warm smile. We pray for her two girls, the rest of her family, and all of those who love her.”
Currently, Shea is being held in the Orange County Jail on no bond.
