Bond denied for former Orange County deputy accused of killing wife

Former Orange County deputy seeks bond in wife?s killing case

A former Orange County sheriff?s sergeant accused of killing his wife and staging it as a suicide appeared in court Wednesday in a bid to be released on bond. Anthony Shea, charged with first-degree murder in the October 2024 death of his wife, spent hours before a judge as attorneys debated whether he should remain in custody.

ORLANDO, Fla. - A judge has denied a bond request from a former Orange County sheriff’s sergeant accused of killing his wife and staging it as a suicide.

What we know:

Former Orange County sheriff’s sergeant Anthony Shea has been denied a request for bond by Chief Judge Lisa Munyon as he awaits trial on first-degree murder charges in the death of his wife, Lt. Eloilda "Ellie" Shea. 

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Prosecutors contend he killed her in October 2024 and staged it to look like suicide. The hearing lasted hours but ended without a decision, with the judge promising a written ruling within days.

Orange County Sheriff's Office Lt. Eloilda Ellie Shea

What we don't know:

Eloilda "Ellie" Shea’s official cause of death has not been fully detailed in court, and questions remain over whether digital evidence — including text messages and an audio recording — will prove decisive at trial.

The backstory:

On Oct. 14, 2024, Shea called 911, claiming to have found his wife shot in a bedroom. Investigators initially believed it was suicide, but four days later arrested Shea, citing his DNA on the gun’s trigger and evidence they say pointed to a cover-up. 

Prosecutors also referenced a message that Lt. Shea sent a friend before her death in which she said she would not take her own life.

Looking Ahead:

The trial is scheduled to begin in February 2026.

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