PHILADELPHIA, PA – Kenneth Shea, 37, pleaded guilty on June 10 to the murder of his estranged wife, Elizabeth Shea. On April 10, Shea took an Uber to Elizabeth’s home in Wyndmoor and fatally stabbed her. He was sentenced to life in prison on Monday.
Reports revealed a history of abuse in the Sheas’ marriage. Kenneth Shea had previously been charged with simple assault and strangulation for a January incident, leading Elizabeth to obtain a protection from abuse order in March. Shea was subsequently evicted from their home.
Elizabeth’s family stated that Shea had exploited her, her business, and her home. Prosecutor Tanner Beck attributed the motive to jealousy, the protection order, and the eviction. “But this was a relationship that had turned abusive and was going downhill,” he said.
On the night of the murder, Shea was staying at a Comfort Inn. He took an Uber to Elizabeth’s home shortly after midnight, committed the crime, and returned to the hotel at 3:58 a.m. Surveillance footage showed him entering his hotel room in camouflage pants, authorities confirmed.