VALLEJO, CA – A Vallejo man is behind bars after police discovered the body of a missing woman hidden inside the walls of a home, in what authorities are calling a particularly disturbing crime.
Renia Lewis, 28, was reported missing over the weekend after family members grew concerned when their calls and messages went unanswered. Relatives used a mobile tracking app to trace her last known location to a residence on 14th Street, which prompted them to start their own search efforts.
On Sunday, police carried out an initial welfare check at the residence but were unable to find any sign of Lewis after inspecting all accessible rooms, closets, and other spaces where someone might hide. With no evidence of the missing woman found, the incident remained unresolved.
As concern mounted, law enforcement officials activated a statewide Ebony Alert for Lewis on Monday, and the FBI joined the inquiry, offering specialized resources. Investigators obtained a search warrant for the 14th Street home and returned on Tuesday for a more thorough inspection.
During that second search, officers discovered Lewis’ body concealed within a hidden section of the attic, prompting a swift escalation of the investigation. Detectives quickly identified 41-year-old Douglas Irwin Shaw as a suspect. Shaw was taken into custody at his place of employment later the same day.
According to officials, Shaw subsequently made a statement to detectives in which he admitted to killing Lewis. However, authorities have not yet disclosed a motive for the killing or the specific cause of death.
Lewis’ family has expressed shock and disbelief following her tragic death. Relatives say they do not know Shaw and that Lewis had no known connection to either him or the residence where her body was found. They described the ordeal of spending days searching for her, only to learn that she had been in the very home they had been focused on.
Family members noted that the attic where Lewis’ body was discovered was not readily accessible, which may have allowed the hiding place to go unnoticed during the police’s initial search. “She was hidden behind a secret wall, and that’s likely why no one found her at first,” a family member said.
Neighborhood residents have described the property as rundown, with boarded-up windows and debris scattered about, adding to concerns about the safety of the area. Some neighbors have reported an unusual amount of foot traffic to and from the home in recent months.
Shaw is currently being held in the Solano County Jail without bail as the investigation continues. Authorities are awaiting autopsy results and have not ruled out additional charges as they piece together the circumstances surrounding Lewis’ death.
Officials say the case has deeply affected the Vallejo community and renewed calls for increased vigilance and support for families of missing persons. As the investigation moves forward, law enforcement has emphasized their commitment to bringing justice in Lewis’ case.