Authorities in California are investigating a “heinous crime” after they found the body of a missing woman stuffed in an attic wall and arrested a man who allegedly admitted to killing her.

Douglas Irwin Shaw, 41, stands accused of murder in the death of 28-year-old Renia Lewis in Vallejo. Cops said in a press release that Lewis was first reported missing on Sunday. Investigators learned Lewis may have last been at a residence on 14th Street in Vallejo. Officers conducted a welfare check at the home and did a “cursory search of all rooms, closets, and places a person could hide, but found no signs of the missing woman,” the press release said.

Officials issued a statewide Ebony Alert on Monday and the FBI began assisting by “lending expert resources” in the investigation. On Tuesday, cops returned to the 14th Street home, this time with a search warrant. Cops searched the attic and found Lewis’ remains, and detectives identified Shaw as the suspect and arrested him while he was at work.

“Following his arrest, Douglas Shaw provided a statement to detectives where he admitted being responsible for this heinous crime,” the press release stated.

Lewis’ family was stunned and said she had no connection to Shaw or the home where she was found dead.

“What did she do to you for you to kill her, and then put her in a wall? And she’s been gone since Friday so we were out here looking for my daughter and she’s in the wall — dead,” Teri Lewis told local Fox affiliate KTVU. “I know she fought.”

The victim’s cousin said it was her understanding the attic was not easily accessible, which is likely why cops missed it the first time.

“You would miss it, because my baby girl was hidden behind a wall. A secret wall they placed her behind,” Latoya Lewis said in an interview with KTVU.

They became concerned about Lewis’ wellbeing after she didn’t answer text messages on Friday. Her Life360 app showed she was in the area of the 14th Street home. Family members spent the weekend searching for her until detectives notified them about the discovery of a body.

“I just prayed, ‘God please don’t let it be her, please don’t let it be.’ And he didn’t answer my prayer,” Teri Lewis told KTVU.

Cops have not released the cause of death or potential motive.

Overhead images from KTVU’s helicopter showed junk and trash strewn across the front yard of the home with some of its windows boarded up. The victim’s family said neighbors said they have seen many people coming to and going from the home.

Shaw remains at the Solano County Jail without bond.

“This was a heartbreaking, senseless act of violence that has no place in our community. I am proud of our officers and detectives for making an arrest and solving this case. Above all, our thoughts are with the decedent’s family during this incredibly difficult time,” Chief Jason Ta said in a statement.