VALLEJO, Calif. – Relatives of a missing 28-year-old woman confirmed Tuesday that her body was found hidden inside a secret wall inside a Vallejo home, and a man has been arrested in connection with her death.
Concealed wall in attic
Family members on Tuesday told KTVU that detectives found Renia Lewis, a Berkeley resident, on Sunday, concealed behind a wall in the attic at a house on 14th Street near Starr Avenue, an address the family described as a hoarder-like dwelling. Police said there had been “indications” that she had been at this home before she went missing on Sept. 28.
Her mother said she had tracked her daughter there using Life360.
The family says they have no connection to the home or its residents, though it was not unusual for Lewis to visit Vallejo, where she had friends and relatives.
“What did she do to you for you to kill her, and then put her in a wall? her mother, Teri Lewis of Stockton, asked rhetorically. “And she’s been gone since Friday, so we were out here looking for my daughter, and she’s in the wall – dead. I know she fought.”
“You would miss it, because my baby girl was hidden behind a wall. A secret wall they placed her behind,” added her cousin, Latoya Lewis.
In a news release, Vallejo police said they discovered a “concealed entry into the attic,” where they found Lewis’ body.
“This was a heartbreaking, senseless act of violence that has no place in our community,” Police Chief Jason Ta said in a statement. “Above all, our thoughts are with the decedent’s family during this incredibly difficult time.”
Suspect in custody
Douglas Irwin Shaw. Photo: Vallejo police
Vallejo police told KTVU late Tuesday they had arrested Douglas Irwin Shaw, 41, of Vallejo, at his place of work.
It is still unclear what his relationship was to Renia or to the home. Records show that he lives on Pomona Avenue in Vallejo, a short walk to the home where Lewis’ body was found.
Jail records show he is in custody without bail and is scheduled to be arraigned on Thursday afternoon in Solano County Superior Court.
“The person that they have in custody is being cooperative, stated that he did indeed kill Renia, he threw her phone on top of the school, that’s the most information that I have,” Latoya said.
The family said neighbors described the home where her body was discovered as often messy with many people coming and going, almost like an abandoned junkyard. The owner is reportedly said to be out of town frequently.
No text response
Lewis was seen last Friday.
Her mother said she texted her daughter that day but never got a response. She initially assumed her daughter had put her phone on “Do Not Disturb,” as she often did when she was sleeping.
Using the Life360 tracking app, Teri Lewis saw her daughter’s location near 14th Street in Vallejo, but she never heard from her.
Family-led search
Over the weekend, relatives launched their own search.
On Sunday, they combed the neighborhood where Lewis’ phone last pinged and eventually found the device on the roof of a nearby school.
Two days later, on Tuesday, investigators located Lewis’ body inside the house.
“We all came to search for her, not knowing she was here in the wall,” her mother said. “Gone.”
Mother’s anguish
Teri Lewis said she collapsed when detectives told her the news.
“On our way from Stockton I was praying,” she said. “I just prayed, ‘God please don’t let it be her, please don’t let it be.’ And he didn’t answer my prayer.”
Her mother said the person responsible deserves life in prison.
“He needs to sit there and suffer for my daughter because she didn’t deserve this,” she said.
Remembered as full of life
Relatives described Renia Lewis as vibrant and family-oriented. She also knew her way around the kitchen and loved to cook.
Her cousin, Latoya, said she was in disbelief.
“I’m hurt,” her cousin said. “You would have never thought you would be out posting flyers, and it would be your own family member. My stomach was in knots.”
Since sharing flyers with her mother’s number, the family said it has received numerous prank calls from people pretending to be Renia, luring her mother to false addresses, and demanding money.
“I am devastated,” her mother said. “That’s my youngest daughter.”
The Source: Information for this report was obtained through interviews with relatives of Renia Lewis, and Vallejo police.
