Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele and Springfield Township Police Chief Michael E. Pitkow announced today the arrest of Kenneth Shea, 37, of Feasterville-Trevose, for the first degree murder of Elizabeth Shea on April 10 at her home in Wyndmoor.
According to officials, Shea was found at approximately 7:30am on Wednesday when Springfield Township police responded to a residence in the 1000 block of Cromwell Lane for a requested wellness check.
Police found Shea dead on the master bedroom floor with obvious cut wounds to her head and neck.
A joint investigation by Montgomery County Detectives and the Springfield Township Police Department determined that an air conditioning unit had been pushed inside the residence, allowing access through the window. Four hard drives from the home’s digital recording units and three cellphones had been discarded in the bathroom sink and toilet, police said.
Detectives obtained Uber records showing that Kenneth Shea had utilized the ride share service in the early morning hours of April 10. He was picked up at 12:36am at the Comfort Inn in Feasterville-Trevose and dropped off at 12:55am on Wainwright Road which passes behind the victim’s residence.
At 3:37am, the defendant was picked up on Wainwright Road and returned to the hotel at 3:58am, where video surveillance from the lobby showed him arriving and going to Room 314. Location records for Kenneth Shea’s cellphone showed his phone was in the area of the Comfort Inn in the days leading up to the murder and throughout the day on April 10.
At approximately 6:00pm, Bensalem Police S.W.A.T. officers were stationed outside of Room 314 and arrested Kenneth Shea as he exited the room.
“This is a tragic case, and our hearts go out to the family of Elizabeth Shea,” said DA Steele. “I also want to thank the Bensalem Police for the significant resources they provided, including drone surveillance and a K-9, as well as numerous officers, which enabled this defendant to be taken into custody without incident.”
Kenneth Shea is charged with First Degree Murder, Second Degree Murder and Third Degree Murder. He was arraigned on April 11 by Magisterial District Judge John D. Kessler.
Officials noted that there is no bail available for First Degree Murder charges, and he was remanded to the Montgomery County Correctional Facility. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 11:00am on April 23 before Magisterial District Judge Katherine E. McGill.
For all the latest news, follow us on Facebook or sign up for Glenside Local’s “Daily Buzz” newsletter here.
Photo: Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office