Authorities have charged a Colorado man with murdering a woman who witnessed him kill a man days earlier in another city.
On Wednesday, Denver District Attorney Beth McCann charged 45-year-old Steven Young with first-degree murder and possession of a weapon by a previous offender for the murder of Charly Lewis. Lewis was murdered in June.
Thirty-two-year-old Lewis was discovered deceased in an alley by a passing cyclist on the morning of June 7th. A .40 caliber shell casing was found on the ground near Lewis’ foot. Another intact bullet was located underneath her head. Authorities were able to confirm that officers in Aurora, Colorado, had been trying to reach Lewis days before her death because she witnessed Young murder 41-year-old John Cyprian in Aurora on June 1st.
According to investigators, they “learned that a witness had identified Charly Lewis as the person who was present with Young during the murder and that Ms. Lewis had witnessed Young commit the murder in Aurora,” the affidavit says. Aurora detectives also confirmed to Denver police that “one of the reasons the Attempt to Locate was issued for Lewis was because they were in fear for her safety.” A warrant had been issued for Young on June 4th for Cyprian’s murder.
Ironically, Aurora police contacted Young on June 1st while he was in a car with Lewis, according to the affidavit. Investigators also “observed other surveillance videos from around the area where the victim was found dead,” and “observed the black male and the victim walking together on numerous occasions throughout the early morning hours, including seeing the two of them on the same surveillance camera” at the location Lewis was killed.
Young was arrested the day after Lewis was found murdered.
