Senta Yolanda Authorlee, a 53-year-old African American woman, tragically passed away on July 12, 2018, in Houston, Texas. She was born on October 19, 1964, in Jasper, Texas, to George Armstrong and Nedra Hitchens. Senta was a private duty attendant, hired independently by one of the residents at The Medallion Jewish Assisted Living Center to help for a few hours each day.
On the morning of her death, Senta was ambushed by her husband, Anthony Ray Authorlee, outside the assisted living
facility. Anthony, who was 61 years old at the time, had been waiting for her with a shotgun hidden from her view. After a verbal altercation, Anthony shot Senta in the stomach, and she was pronounced dead at the scene. Anthony later turned himself into the police and confessed to the crime.
Anthony was charged with murder and taken into custody. The couple had been married for 31 years but had recently separated due to a dispute over their adult son. The case drew significant media attention and highlighted the dangers faced by individuals leaving abusive relationships.
The tragic incident also prompted the Houston Area Women’s Center to remind individuals leaving abusive relationships to develop a safety plan and seek help from domestic abuse hotlines. The center offered counseling services to the residents of the assisted living facility to help them cope with the traumatic event.
Senta Authorlee's death was a heartbreaking event that underscored the importance of addressing domestic violence and providing support to those in need.
