William Romero, a 43-year-old man, was found deceased in a wooded area in Lawrence, Indiana, a discovery that marked the beginning of a homicide investigation. His body was located near Fort Harrison State Park on March 17, 2022, by an individual out walking their dog. Investigators at the scene noted that the body had been deliberately concealed with leaves.
An autopsy later confirmed that Romero had sustained a fatal gunshot wound, and his death was officially ruled a homicide.
The investigation into Romero's death quickly focused on his 26-year-old roommate, Dawaun Lewis. Evidence gathered by law enforcement began to paint a grim picture of the events that transpired. A search of the home shared by Romero and Lewis revealed potential blood spatter on a wall. A significant piece of evidence was a cushion cover found near where Romero's body was discovered, which appeared to match other cushions in their residence.
Further implicating Lewis was the fact that he was found to be in possession of Romero's car in the days following his death. Investigators were able to track the vehicle's movements through the use of license plate readers and other surveillance footage. A crucial piece of forensic evidence came from the discovery of blood inside the car, which DNA testing later confirmed belonged to William Romero.
Based on the evidence collected, Dawaun Lewis was arrested and formally charged with the murder of his roommate. While the initial court documents laid out the evidence against him, a clear motive for the killing was not immediately established. The case against Lewis proceeded through the legal system, culminating in a jury trial where he was found guilty of murder. Following the conviction, Dawaun Lewis was sentenced to 55 years in prison for his role in the death of William Romero.
