Snapped: Women Who Murder

Episode: Sheila Aidoo

Release Date: November 24, 2024

Host/Author: Oxygen

Introduction

In the gripping episode titled "Sheila Aidoo", Oxygen delves deep into a tragic true crime story that intertwines love, ambition, betrayal, and dark rituals. This detailed summary captures the essence of the case, highlighting the key discussions, investigative breakthroughs, and the unsettling conclusion that points to Sheila Aidoo's involvement in the brutal murders of Seth Adu and Eunice Baugh.

Background: Seth Adu and Eunice Baugh

Seth Adu, a 40-year-old immigrant from Ghana, moved to the United States in 1992 to pursue a degree in Information Technology at Montgomery College in Maryland. Ambitious and driven, Seth worked tirelessly, balancing full-time employment with his studies. In 1996, Seth married Sheila Culley, a 35-year-old successful daycare business owner from a religious family in Washington D.C. Despite their ten-year age gap, the couple shared a strong bond, rooted in mutual ambition and cultural ties.

After nearly three years of dating, Sheila and Seth married in 1996. One year into their marriage, Seth became a U.S. citizen and continued building his IT career. By the mid-2000s, their success culminated in purchasing a $1 million dream home in the exclusive Oak Creek neighborhood of Prince George's County, Maryland, a testament to their hard work and dedication.

The Tragic Turn: Separation and New Beginnings

After thirteen years together, in December 2007, Sheila and Seth amicably separated, initiating divorce proceedings. [10:49] Despite the separation appearing peaceful, financial strains soon surfaced. The housing market collapse of 2008 left Seth struggling to manage the mortgage on their million-dollar home, especially after Sheila took her financial contributions upon leaving.

In 2008, Seth met Eunice Baugh, a 36-year-old nurse from Ghana, at a Ghanaian community gathering. Their relationship blossomed quickly, and after a year of dating, on January 10, 2009, Seth and Eunice announced their engagement and Eunice's pregnancy during a celebratory party at their home. This announcement, however, would set the stage for a horrifying tragedy.

The Murders: A Night of Violence

Just three days after their public announcement, on January 14, 2009, Seth and Eunice were brutally murdered in their Oak Creek home. [03:40] Homicide detectives arrived to find Suleth Adu stabbed over 40 times and Eunice Baugh shot once in the head. The gruesome nature of the attacks suggested a personal vendetta rather than a random act of violence.

Discovery and Initial Investigation

A distress call from David Sarpong, Seth's cousin, prompted the police to investigate. Upon entering the home, detectives found extensive blood evidence indicating a violent struggle. Notably, there were inscriptions on a pillar candle found at the scene that read, "die, die, die, die, die. Seth Ado," hinting at possible occult motives. [03:02], [32:16]

Investigative Breakthroughs: Unraveling the Mystery

The investigation revealed that the Oak Creek community had stringent security measures, including transponders and surveillance cameras. It was discovered that the third transponder, not in Seth or Eunice's possession, was used on the night of the murders by an unidentified dark minivan. [27:18], [28:14]

Further scrutiny led detectives to Sheila Adu, Seth's estranged wife, and her brother, Samuel Culley. Initial suspicions arose when Samuel admitted to a heated altercation with Seth two years prior over his expulsion from the family home. [21:02], [35:11]

The Occult Connection

A pivotal piece of evidence surfaced during the search of a storage unit linked to Delford Barnes, Sheila's boyfriend from Jamaica, associated with voodoo practices. The discovery of the sinister candle with multiple "die" inscriptions connected to the murders pointed towards a ritualistic motive. [31:38], [32:57]

The Arrests: Samuel Culley and Delford Barnes

On March 10, 2009, authorities apprehended Samuel Culley in New Jersey. Samuel confessed that Delford Barnes had orchestrated the murders, driven by jealousy and financial desperation stemming from the impending loss of Seth's life insurance benefits. He detailed how Delford entered the home with the intent to kill Seth, leading to the violent altercation that resulted in Seth and Eunice's deaths. [37:16], [39:26]

Subsequently, Delford Barnes was charged and, with forensic evidence tying him to the crime scene—including DNA under Seth's fingernails and matching boot prints—he was found guilty of two counts of first-degree murder and sentenced to life without parole. [41:21], [43:04]

Sheila Aidoo's Involvement and Downfall

Despite the arrests, investigators believed that Sheila Adu played a crucial role as the mastermind behind the murders. Evidence pointed to her financial motives, particularly her swift claim of the life insurance policy shortly after the murders, just before her divorce was finalized, which would have nullified her beneficiary status. [35:35], [36:01]

Additionally, handwriting analysis of the ominous candle matched Sheila's handwriting, further incriminating her involvement. Prosecutors argued that Sheila leveraged her relationship with Delford to orchestrate the murders, ensuring her financial gain while eliminating Seth, whose divorce would strip her of financial benefits. [42:09], [46:14]

On January 10, 2012, Sheila was charged with conspiracy to commit murder. She entered an Alford plea, acknowledging sufficient evidence for a conviction while maintaining her innocence. Sheila was sentenced to 20 years in prison but was released in 2021 after serving ten years. [45:07], [46:38], [47:26]

Conclusion: Justice and Aftermath

While Samuel Culley and Delford Barnes received life sentences for their direct involvement in the murders, Sheila Adu's role remained a complex narrative of ambition, betrayal, and manipulation. Her release in 2021 left many seeking closure, believing that the full extent of her machinations had not been entirely addressed.

The "Sheila Aidoo" episode serves as a haunting reminder of how personal vendettas and financial desperation can culminate in unimaginable violence. Oxygen's meticulous recounting of the case highlights the intricate web of relationships and motives that ultimately led to justice, albeit with lingering questions about the depths of Sheila's involvement.

Notable Quotes

• Detective ([05:36]): "Seth had been stabbed a number of times and his body was very bloodied. Eunice was shot once in the head. So there was no question this was a double murder and one that was so violent there was no gun on the scene, there was no knife left on the scene."

• Family Member ([07:34]): "Seth was working in this grocery store to pay for college. It's always tough to do when you're working full time and going to school part time. That's hard."

• Expert ([32:16]): "There was some suggestion that this could have been part of some voodoo ritual. Police know that Delford is from Jamaica and some people in Jamaica practice voodoo. So there's at least a suspicion that voodoo could be part of what's going on here."

• Detective ([35:35]): "Sheila put in a claim for the insurance policy within a day of finding out that Seth had been murdered."

• Friend ([46:52]): "Life isn't valued and she didn't value his life. She didn't value the life of fiance when the girl was pregnant with a baby. She didn't value that baby life even so hell with her."

This episode of "Snapped: Women Who Murder" masterfully weaves the narrative of Sheila Aidoo, presenting a comprehensive view of the motivations and actions that led to the tragic demise of Seth Adu and Eunice Baugh. Through a meticulous examination of evidence, witness testimonies, and expert insights, Oxygen delivers a compelling story that underscores the complexities of human relationships and the darkness that can lie beneath the surface.