CONIFER, Colo. — A suspect has been arrested after his ex-girlfriend was found dead in Jefferson County east of Conifer Tuesday, the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office said.
Deputies said on Sunday night, they were called to a home on South Timber Trail in Conifer to check the welfare of 55-year-old Michele Scott. Neighbors told deputies they had not seen her for a few days.
Deputies found the home locked and dark, with no one home. The next day, a family member gave neighbors permission to enter the home. The neighbors found Scott's dogs had not been cared for, which caused them concern, the sheriff's office said.
When deputies returned to the home around 8 a.m., they "found concerning evidence suggesting foul play," the sheriff's office said.
Deputies found evidence that Scott's ex-boyfriend, 58-year-old Wayne Lotz, was involved in her disappearance.
On Monday, deputies found Lotz driving Scott's SUV and carrying her debit card, the sheriff's office said. Deputies arrested him on a variety of charges, including aggravated motor vehicle theft and criminal possession of a financial device. He was booked into jail early Tuesday morning.
Deputies found Scott's body Tuesday afternoon in the area of Pleasant Park Road and High Grade Road, east of Conifer. Lotz is now facing charges of first-degree murder, tampering with evidence, and tampering with a deceased human body, the sheriff's office said.
The sheriff's office said there was a history of domestic violence calls involving Scott and Lotz at Scott's home. The most recent call was on Feb. 7, deputies said. They said no arrests were warranted at that time.
The sheriff's office said Lotz has a lengthy criminal history in Jefferson and Park counties.
The sheriff's office is asking residents and businesses in the area to check their security camera footage from the past week for Scott's SUV, a red 2005 Toyota Highlander. Anyone with information that may help the case is asked to call the sheriff's office tip line at 303-271-5612.
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