Adrian Lewis sentenced to life for murdering his wife; still no body
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) — Adrian Lewis was sentenced to life in prison on Jan. 19 after he was convicted in September for murdering his wife of 17 years, despite the body still not being found.
Previous Coverage: Despite no body, man found guilty of killing wife in Newport News
Lewis was convicted of first-degree murder on Sept. 28 for his wife Shanita Eure-Lewis’ death after she disappeared on July 17, 2022. They had two sons, and the judge ruled Lewis will not be allowed to have any contact with them until they turn 18. Lewis also can’t have any uninvited contact with his sons after they are adults, and he can’t contact friends or family who testified in court.
Each person who took the stand left with tears streaming down their face as they remembered someone who they’ll never see smile again.
One of those people was Shanita’s sister Deidra Eure.
She said while the decision offers justice for the family, they still have no closure.
“Yeah I don’t think I will ever have closure until she’s found but it does take some weight off my shoulders for sure,” she said, “Not knowing where she is, not being able to give her the proper burial. She didn’t deserve that. She deserves you know to be laid to rest properly. So my hope is that we will find her.”
Each loved one who took the stand said they think of Shanita every day.
They think of her kindness, of her big heart, and the hole her death leaves in so many people’s lives.
Her dad, Tony Eure told 10 On Your Side through their pain, the family will continue to only remember Shanita as the bright light she was.
“As I said before there were no winners here today. Both sides really lost especially mine over here and the whole family. We’re just going to go on with our lives and keep a positive memory of my daughter, Shanita, and just go on with our lives.”
During his trial, prosecutors brought out evidence of threats Lewis made saying he would kill his wife if he ever caught her cheating. Evidence also revealed that Lewis showed his former girlfriend a gun in days prior to his wife’s disappearance, and there was blood found on rags used to clean the Lewis’ truck that matched Eure-Lewis’ DNA.
There’s still no information regarding what happened to Eure-Lewis’ body. While he was in jail, Lewis made outside phone calls, including to Eure-Lewis’ mother where he said, “I can’t tell you” when she asked where the body was.
Even though they have no body to bury, Tony said they’re still going to say their final goodbyes.
“We’re going to have a memorial service tomorrow at Gethsemane Baptist Church at 1:00.”
Lewis’ Google searches of “What happens when you shoot someone in the head?” and “penalty for murder in Virginia” likely didn’t help his case.
10 On Your Side also spoke with Adrian’s sister, Andrea.
She said while she believes the sentencing is heartbreaking, she believes in the justice system.
“To my brother, frankly I hope that he can accept what’s going on, what has been going on, what was done and you know, pray to God for forgiveness. I don’t believe this is a mistake.”
She also said Shanita’s mom has been and will continue to raise her daughter’s sons.
“And she’s allowing us to see them any time that we want and that’s a godsend because we want to be on their lives.”
Andrea told 10 On Your Side she doesn’t have any plans to visit her brother in prison any time soon.
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