Colorado felon accused of killing ex-girlfriend, stealing her car and debit card
02/18/2022 2:11 pm PST
JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colo. (TCD) -- A 58-year-old convicted felon was arrested for allegedly killing his ex-girlfriend and stealing her car and credit card.
According to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, deputies conducted a welfare check at a residence on the 27000 block of South Timber Trail in Conifer on the night of Sunday, Feb. 13. Concerned neighbors reportedly called deputies because they had not seen the resident, 55-year-old Michele Scott, in several days. When deputies arrived, they found it "locked and dark with no one home."
Neighbors reportedly spoke with some of Scott’s family members the next day, who gave them permission to enter the house. Neighbors located dogs "who had not been cared for," and deputies returned to the South Timber Trail at approximately 8 a.m. Deputies found "concerning evidence that suggested foul play" and immediately began the process of searching for Scott.
Investigators identified Scott’s ex-boyfriend Wayne Lotz as a person of interest. According to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, there have been domestic violence calls from her house in the past, with the last one occurring Feb. 7. Investigators conducted surveillance on Lotz, and he was reportedly seen driving Scott’s 2005 red Toyota Highlander. He also allegedly had her debit card in his possession.
According to KUSA-TV, deputies reportedly found a large blade with what looked like blood on it inside the car. Lotz reportedly said Scott gave him permission to drive her car because she was on vacation. Scott’s friends, however, said she was protective about her vehicle and did not like other people driving it.
Lotz was arrested for aggravated motor theft and criminal possession of a financial device.
According to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Scott’s body was found Feb. 15 near Pleasant Park Road and High Grade Road. After her body was located, Lotz was charged with first-degree murder, tampering with evidence, and tampering with a deceased human body.
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