Man Found In Lakewood Car Trunk Was Shot: JeffCo Coroner

LAKEWOOD, CO – Investigators still have not made an arrest in the death of a parolee whose remains were found last summer in the trunk of a car in Lakewood, the Jefferson County Sheriff's office said – but his cause of death was released last week.

Dean C. Wallis, 52, of Lakewood, died of a gunshot wound to the head, according to an autopsy report released last week by the the JeffCo Coroner's office in response to a July, 2018, Colorado Open Records Act request.

Wallis had last been seen in early May and a missing person report had been filed for him with the Lakewood police.

On June 28, Wallis's remains were found partially wrapped in plastic in the trunk of his white 2001 Ford Focus the coroner's report said. The car was found parked on a frontage road across the street from the Whisper Creek apartments in the 3500 block of South Nelson Circle.

The report did not specify how long Wallis had been deceased. Wallis's body was identified by a DNA analysis, the report said.

Wallis was on parole after being sentenced to 24 years in prison in 1996. He was convicted in Montrose County of first-degree assault of a public safety officer, the Denver Post reported.

A family member, contact by Patch, declined to comment on the case.

The Jeffco Sheriff's Office in July offered a $2,000 reward for information about this case. Tipsters may call the JCSO tip line at 303-271-5612 or Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at (720) 913-STOP (7867).

Related: Body In Lakewood Car Trunk: Sheriff's Office Seeks Public Help

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Related: Human Remains Found In Lakewood Car Trunk: JeffCo Sheriff

Image Dean Wallis (provided)

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