A California woman reported missing late last week has been found dead, hidden behind a concealed entrance to the attic in a Vallejo home.
Vallejo police said that they had arrested Douglas Shaw, 41, for the death of Renia Lewis and that he had “admitted being responsible for this heinous crime.”
Renia Lewis was last seen on Friday and reported missing on Sunday. Her mother, Teri Lewis, said she had tracked her daughter’s phone to a location near where her body was ultimately found but never got a response to texts, KTVU reported. On Sunday, relatives combed the area and 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.
Vallejo police said their investigation led them to the home where Lewis’s body was eventually found on Sunday, but a “cursory search” of the home at that time “found no signs of the missing woman.”
The department issued an Ebony Alert on Monday as the search continued. On Tuesday, armed with further information, they returned to the home with a search warrant and found “a concealed entry into the attic,” where they found Lewis’s body.
“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.” Vallejo Police Chief Jason Ta said.
No further details of the murder have been released, and investigators have not described the relationship between Lewis and Shaw, who was arrested at his job on Tuesday.
Court records show he has been charged with murder and is being held without bail. He is due in court on Thursday.
For the latest true crime and justice news, subscribe to the ‘Crime Stories with Nancy Grace’ podcast.
[Featured image: Renia Lewis/California Highway Patrol]
