UPDATE: Husband Charged in Missing Adult Investigation
Updated July 19, 2022
Adrian Salvatore Lewis, husband of missing person Shanitia Mikell Eure, has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with her disappearance.
On Sunday, July 17, 2022, family reported Mrs. Eure missing after they were unable to make contact with her. Mrs. Eure’s family stated her lack of communication with them and inconsistent behavior was unusual. Mrs. Eure attended church service Sunday morning at Gethsemane Baptist Church, 5405 Roanoke Ave. in Newport News. She left the church shortly after 9 a.m. with plans to return for the second service; however, she did not return. This information led investigators to believe she was possibly endangered, and a missing person alert was issued to the media and shared on NNPD’s social media platforms. Additionally, Virginia State Police issued an Ashanti Alert, which allowed for rapid dissemination of information regarding the case outside the Hampton Roads area.
Further investigation revealed Mrs. Eure was observed approximately 9:40 a.m. Sunday leaving her residence with her husband, Mr. Lewis. The vehicle they were traveling in was located in Hampton Monday afternoon. The vehicle was processed Monday evening and additional evidence was recovered. The case has transitioned to a homicide investigation based on the evidence that was recovered.
Warrants were obtained and served early Tuesday morning charging Mr. Lewis, 49, of Newport News, in connection with this investigation. Mr. Lewis is charged with one count each first-degree murder and use of a firearm in commission of a felony.
NNPD continues to search for Mrs. Eure’s body. NNPD has narrowed the search to a few specific locations and is not requesting the public’s assistance at this time in order to preserve evidence.
“My heart goes out to Mrs. Eure’s family, especially her children, as well as the Gethsemane Baptist Church community,” Chief of Police Steve Drew said. “We are doing everything we can to find her and bring her loved ones some closure.”
“I want to thank the officers, detectives, forensics staff and other NNPD personnel who have been working tirelessly on this case,” Chief Drew added. “I also want to thank our state and federal partners for their assistance.”
Original Release:
Newport News Police Department needs your assistance locating a missing, and possibly endangered, adult. Shanitia Mikell Eure, 35, of Newport News, was reported missing by family Sunday, July 17, 2022.
Mrs. Eure was last seen approximately 9 a.m. Sunday, July 17, 2022, at Gethsemane Baptist Church, at 5405 Roanoke Ave. in Newport News.
Mrs. Eure’s family reported her missing after they were unable to get in contact with her. She is possibly endangered because her lack of communication with family is inconsistent with her normal behavior.
Mrs. Eure is described as a black female with black hair and brown eyes. She is approximately 5-foot-7 and 178 pounds. She was last seen wearing a cream-colored pants suit with flat beige shoes.
Anyone with information about Mrs. Eure’s whereabouts is asked to contact Newport News Police Department at 757–247–2500.
