Suvechha Sarkar
On November 8, 2002, the murder of 32-year-old Anna Lisa Raymundo sent shockwaves through the quiet community of Stamford, Connecticut. The heartbreaking murder left her loved ones completely devastated and searching for answers. The case comes into focus on Investigation Discovery’s ‘Betrayed: Keep Your Friends Close.’ Through interviews with the law enforcement officials who helped solve the case, the episode unravels a complex string of jealousy, betrayal, and a love triangle. It further features a deep discussion with one of Anna’s mentors and friends.
Anna Lisa Raymundo’s Remains Were Found Near Her Condo’s Entrance
Dr. Renato and Dr. Susan Raymundo’s hearts were lit up with joy when their beautiful daughter, Anna Lisa Raymundo, was born on September 11, 1970, in Brooklyn, New York. Anna had always shared a close bond with her siblings, Renato Raymundo Jr. and Bernadette Arnett. Additionally, she loved spending meaningful time with her grandparents, Marcos and Soledad Ramos. Anna was a loving and caring person whose positive outlook toward life often made her well-liked among her loved ones. With a bright mind and high ambitions from a young age, she graduated from high school before completing her undergraduate degree at Harvard University. She then earned a Master’s degree from Columbia University.
Anna aspired to attend medical school and earn a doctorate in public health. She began her career by joining the pharmaceutical industry. She eventually began working at Purdue Pharma in Stamford, Connecticut, where she first met Nelson Sessler. Soon, their friendship grew into a close connection, and they began dating. Around the same time, Anna was living in a condominium complex on Harbor Drive, where Nelson frequently stayed with her. By 2002, she left the previous organization and joined a competitor pharmaceutical company in New Jersey as a researcher. Everything appeared to be going perfectly until her life changed on November 8, 2002. On that fateful day, authorities received a 911 call reporting that the caller’s neighbor was being attacked by a man.
When detectives arrived at the location, they found a woman dead near the front entrance of her condo. She was identified as Anna, and forensic experts noted that there were signs of a violent struggle. They observed that she was struck several times on the head and was stabbed numerous times in her upper chest, neck, and face. Moreover, they found a bloodstain on the handle of the bathroom sink and blood on the kitchen floor. Experts reportedly collected DNA evidence from those stains. Investigators also ruled out burglary, as they found no signs of forced entry or any missing valuables. The autopsy uncovered that Anna was stabbed nine times. Her cause of death was determined to be blunt-force trauma to the head and multiple stab wounds to the upper body.
DNA Match Led to the Indictment of Anna’s Killer 5 Years After the Murder
Shortly after the officials arrived on the scene, Nelson returned from work. According to police records, he informed the officials that he and Anna had broken up just two days prior and emphasized that he was at work at the time of the murder. After speaking to her friend, the authorities discovered that a few months before the murder, one of Anna’s ex-boyfriends, Ryan O’Donnell, had shown up at her workplace, allegedly pressuring her to date him again. The friend alleged that Ryan was quite aggressive and had certain sexual preferences, which made Anna fearful of him, as per the records. Upon questioning, he reportedly admitted visiting the 32-year-old’s office but stated he was in Canada on November 8, 2002. Police records specify that investigators learned about another man who lived in Anna’s complex and had gone on two dates with her.
During his interrogation, the man reportedly emphasized that he was at work in Manhattan at the time of the crime. Ultimately, he, Ryan, and Nelson were all ruled out as suspects after their alibis were verified and their DNA didn’t match the one found at the scene. The case began turning cold, but things changed on March 23, 2003, when Anna’s former co-worker, Sheila Davalloo, was arrested for attempted murder, criminal possession of a weapon, and assault of her then-husband, Paul Christos. According to court records, she and Paul were playing an intimate game during which she stabbed him twice. She then reportedly didn’t call 911 and stabbed him again when they reached a remote parking lot near Westchester Medical Center. Reports indicate that detectives found out that Sheila was having an affair with Nelson.
When Nelson was re-interrogated, he admitted to being in a relationship with Sheila while he was dating Anna. In his statements, he told officials he had actually broken up with Sheila before the murder because he wanted to focus on the 32-year-old. However, they began dating again after Anna’s death, per reports. Sheila’s bench trial for the attempted murder charge began in February 2004, and she was convicted of attempted second-degree murder and first-degree assault. She ultimately received a 25-year term in prison without parole. Following that, forensic experts reportedly confirmed that the DNA and blood found at Anna’s condo matched Sheila’s. Additionally, they discovered that Sheila wasn’t at work the day the murder happened. In November 2007, she was officially charged with the first-degree murder of Anna.
Sheila Davalloo is Incarcerated at a Connecticut Prison Facility Today
Sheila’s jury trial finally commenced on January 24, 2012, during which she decided to represent herself. During the trial, the prosecution presented multiple witness testimonies and forensic evidence to the court. According to court records, a voice recognition expert testified about using voice analysis software to determine that the 911 caller, who claimed that a man had attacked Anna, was actually Sheila. The prosecution alleged that the defendant was obsessed with Nelson. They claimed that Sheila considered the 32-year-old an obstacle to her relationship with Nelson. On the other hand, Sheila contended that the voice recognition was completely accurate.
Sheila reportedly emphasized that the case was circumstantial and challenged the forensic evidence. She further pointed out the lack of a murder weapon. Ultimately, the jury found her guilty of first-degree murder on February 10, 2012. Sheila was sentenced to 50 years behind bars on April 27, 2012, to be served after she completes her previous 25-year term. She had later appealed her judgment on the grounds that the Trial Court improperly allowed her to waive her right to an attorney and represent herself. In September 2014, the Appellate Court reportedly upheld her 50-year sentence. As of writing, Sheila is serving her sentence at the York Correctional Institution in East Lyme, Connecticut. With her combined 75-year term, her maximum release date is scheduled for October 3, 2071.
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