In a shocking case out of South Carolina, a 29-year-old man has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of his ex-girlfriend, Jillian Angner, who was fatally shot in front of her 6-year-old son. The crime, which occurred in March 2023, left the community in disbelief.
The man, John Patrick Shea, admitted to all charges against him, including the premeditated murder of Angner and the attempted murder of her son. Shea’s actions were the result of a troubling obsession with his former partner.
The Crime
John Patrick Shea had previously been in a relationship with Jillian Angner, but their relationship ended in October 2022. Following the breakup, Shea began stalking Angner and engaging in troubling behavior. Angner reported several instances of stalking and break-ins at her home, which she believed were committed by Shea.
On the morning of March 2, 2023, Shea took extreme steps to exact his revenge. He arranged for a friend to drive him to Angner’s home, under the false pretenses of a “drug run.” Once at Angner’s residence, Shea waited for her to leave for the day.
As Angner and her son were preparing to go to school, Shea ambushed them. He opened fire, hitting Angner multiple times, including a fatal wound to her neck. Her son narrowly escaped by crawling out of the back of the vehicle and hiding in a nearby marsh.
Angner was rushed to the hospital and placed on life support. Tragically, she never regained consciousness and passed away in August 2023.
Arrest and Investigation
Following the shooting, Shea attempted to flee the area. He was arrested a few days later while packing his car with suitcases, preparing to leave. Authorities discovered Shea had his passport and birth certificate on him at the time of his arrest.
A deeper investigation into Shea’s life revealed disturbing details. During a search of his apartment, investigators found defaced photographs of Angner, tarot cards, a voodoo doll, a makeshift shrine, and materials related to satanism and the occult.
Additionally, a letter from Shea’s mother expressed deep concern for her son’s behavior, including a threat against his brother’s life. The investigation also revealed that Shea had stalked other women he had dated over the years and had kept detailed notes about these encounters.
Guilty Plea and Sentencing
On the first day of his murder trial, Shea pled guilty to all charges, including the murder of Angner, the attempted murder of her son, and other related crimes. In a courtroom statement, he expressed deep regret and claimed he was mentally unstable at the time of the crime.
He apologized to the family, saying, “I’m sorry, from the deepest reaches of my soul, for what has happened here.” Despite his plea, Shea was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Judge S. Bryan Doby sentenced Shea to life for the murder of Angner and the maximum sentences for the other charges. Shea had begged the judge for mercy, but his actions and the severity of his crimes left little room for leniency.
The case of John Patrick Shea highlights the devastating effects of obsession and violence in relationships. His actions resulted in the tragic loss of a young mother’s life and left her son with lifelong trauma. Despite his apologies, the crime was too horrific for any leniency, and Shea will now spend the rest of his life in prison.
This case serves as a painful reminder of the importance of taking steps to address stalking and relationship violence before it escalates to tragic consequences.
