NORRISTOWN, Pa. (KYW Newsradio) — The 37-year-old man accused of breaking into a Wyndmoor home and killing his estranged wife has been ordered to stand trial on first-degree murder charges.
Kenneth Shea was served a protection from abuse (PFA) order from his wife, 57-year-old Elizabeth Shea, and charged with strangulation and assault on March 15, which would have been the couple’s first wedding anniversary.
Less than a month later, he took an Uber from a Bensalem hotel, where he had been hiding out, to the Wyndmoor home he used to share with Elizabeth Shea. Investigators said he broke in and stabbed her to death.
“It is unfortunate because this is a case in which she did everything right,” said prosecutor Tanner Beck. “She went and reported to the police. She got the PFA. She changed the locks on her home. And unfortunately, this still happens even when you take all the right steps.”
Elizabeth Shea was found on the floor of her bedroom in the fetal position with multiple stab and slash wounds to her face and neck. During Kenneth Shea’s preliminary hearing on Tuesday, detectives testified that several of her wounds were “more shallow in nature, intended to cause pain or torture.”
“He was there for a little bit less than three hours,” Beck said. “When exactly she was killed during that time, I’m not sure.”
Detectives also testified that they found a bed with restraints along with several knives in the garage of the home. Prosecutors said it was set up before Kenneth Shea was evicted from the home and was not directly connected to the murder.
Kenneth Shea’s lawyer said it’s a tragic situation, and they will “mount an appropriate defense at the appropriate time.”
Beck said the forensic evidence is “very, very much compelling.”
“That certainly demonstrates specific intent to kill in this case, and specific intent of torture in this case as well,” he said.