A California woman reported missing late last week has been found dead, hidden behind a concealed entrance to the attic in a Vallejo home.
The Vallejo police reported that Douglas Shaw, aged 41, was arrested for the murder of Renia Lewis and has confessed to committing this egregious act.
Renia Lewis was last seen on Friday and was reported missing by Sunday. Teri Lewis, her mother, attempted to track Renia’s phone and located it near the spot where her daughter’s body was later discovered, though her texts went unanswered, as mentioned by KTVU. The family searched the area on Sunday and eventually found the phone on the roof of a nearby school.
It’s not clear if the family told police about the ping and if so, why relatives found the phone on a roof and not police.
According to Vallejo police, their inquiries led them to a house where Lewis’s remains were subsequently found on Sunday. However, an initial “cursory search” didn’t reveal any signs of her presence.
An Ebony Alert was issued on Monday as efforts to locate Lewis continued. By Tuesday, with additional information, police returned to the house with a search warrant. They discovered “a concealed entry into the attic,” revealing Lewis’s body.
Vallejo Police Chief Jason Ta expressed deep sorrow, stating, “This was a heartbreaking, senseless act of violence that has no place in our community. I am proud of our officers and detectives for making an arrest and solving this case. Above all, our thoughts are with the decedent’s family during this incredibly difficult time.”
Further information regarding the murder has not been disclosed, and the connection between Lewis and Shaw, who was apprehended at his workplace on Tuesday, remains unspecified.
Court records show he has been charged with murder and is being held without bail. He is due in court on Thursday.
