A day after an Ebony Alert went out for 28-year-old Renia Lewis, she was found dead on 14th street in Vallejo by the city’s detective division.
Later that day, police arrested Douglas Irwin Shaw on suspicion of murder in the case. The 41-year-old resident of Vallejo was arrested without incident as his place of employment by the Problem Oriented Policing (POP) Team officers.
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According to a Vallejo Police Department news release, Shaw provided a statement to detectives in which he admitted being responsible for the crime. Shaw was subsequently booked into the Solano County Jail, where he is listed as being held without bail and set for arraignment Thursday in Solano County Superior Court.
Lewis’ death is Vallejo’s 14th homicide of the year.
“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 in a news release.
The arrest of Shaw came two days after Vallejo Police were first notified about Lewis being missing on Sunday and that her whereabouts were unknown.
Officers completed a missing person’s report and were assigned to search for Lewis.
Later on Sunday the Patrol Division’s investigation led officers to a home in the unit block of 14th Street in Vallejo. According to the news release, “There were indications that the missing woman may have been inside the residence at some point before going missing.”
Officers entered the residence to conduct a welfare check and a cursory search of all rooms, closets, and places a person could hide, but found no signs of the missing woman.
On Monday the Ebony Alert was approved and activated for Lewis, even though she didn’t meet the requirements for the statewide program. Additionally, the Vallejo Police Department sought assistance from the FBI.
On Tuesday the Detective Division’s investigation led them back to the residence in the unit block of 14th Street. Based on new investigative information, detectives were granted a search warrant to thoroughly search the residence.
During this search, they discovered a concealed entry into the attic, where they located the remains of Lewis. The Neighborhood Impact Team responded, providing trauma-informed outreach and connecting affected residents with critical support resources.
Anyone with information regarding this case is urged to contact Detective Zach Horton at (707) 648-5425 or [email protected] or Detective William Carpenter at (707) 651-7146 or [email protected]. To remain anonymous, call the anonymous tip line at 1-800-488-9383.
