Judge sentences man to life in beating death of 81-year-old man

LAKEWOOD, Colo. — A Jefferson County judge sentenced a man to life in prison plus 12 additional years after he was convicted of killing an 81-year-old man nearly two years ago.

On Thursday Ricardo Perez, 37, was found guilty of the following related to the 2021 death of Gail Wilson.

• First-degree murder
• Tampering with a deceased human body
• Attempt to influence a public servant
• Tampering with physical evidence

Friday morning, Perez was sentenced to life without parole for the first-degree murder conviction. He was sentenced to an additional 12 years for the charge of tampering with a deceased human body. He received a total of six and half years for the other two counts and those will be served concurrent to the life sentence.

On Nov. 1, 2021, Gail Wilson was reported missing by family members. At that time, he resided with his adopted daughter Savannah Wilson, her boyfriend Perez, and another roommate, Jay Griffith. 

RELATED: Missing elderly Lakewood man was beaten to death in his home, tossed in Denver dumpster, affidavit says

The investigation by Lakewood Police revealed that Gail Wilson was killed on Oct. 31, 2021, and his body was disposed of in dumpsters across the metro area. His remains have never been found.

Griffith and Savannah Wilson both pleaded guilty last year and agreed to testify against Perez. 

Griffith pleaded guilty on May 27, 2022 to accessory to a crime and concealing death. He is set for sentencing on July 20. 

On Nov. 3, 2022, Savannah Wilson pleaded guilty to accessory to a crime and concealing death, and is also set for sentencing on July 20.

Perez is also charged in unrelated sexual assault case and is set to go on trial on those charges in October.

RELATED: Suspect pleads guilty in connection with death of elderly Lakewood man

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