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3rd suspect arrested in disappearance of 81-year-old Lakewood man

Gail Wilson was last seen Oct. 31 and remains missing, although Lakewood Police think his remains were left in Denver's Capitol Hill area.

LAKEWOOD, Colo. — A third suspect has been arrested in connection with the presumed death of an 81-year-old Lakewood man.

The Lakewood Police Department (LPD) said Thursday that detectives have arrested 21-year-old Jay Sean Griffith. He is being held on charges of accessory to first-degree murder and tampering with a deceased body. 

Additional charges have also been filed against the man and woman who were initially arrested in connection with Gail Wilson's disappearance.

Savannah Wilson, 24, and Ricardo Perez, 35, were both arrested Nov. 11 and appeared in court Thursday morning.

Perez is now charged with the following:

  • First-degree murder after deliberation
  • Tampering with a deceased human body
  • Attempt to influence a public servant
  • Tampering with physical evidence

He also faces a violent crime sentence enhancer count, which if he's convicted, would increase possible penalties.

>The video is above is from the day the arrests were made.

Savannah Wilson is now charged with the following:

  • Accessory to a crime
  • Attempting to influence a public servant
  • Tampering with physical evidence

RELATED: Relative among 2 arrested in connection with presumed death of 81-year-old man

Gail Wilson, who is related to Savannah Wilson, was last seen Oct. 31 and remains missing but is believed to be dead, according to Lakewood Police (LPD).

On Halloween morning, LPD said, Gail Wilson left his home in the 1300 block of South Reed Street in his red truck. Later that same day, LPD said "unidentified suspects" drove that 1997 red Ford F-150 into downtown Denver about 3:30 p.m.

Credit: KUSA
Gail Wilson

In the back of the truck, there was rolled up carpet, a tall white laundry basket and numerous black trash bags that likely contained the remains of Gail Wilson, LPD said.

LPD said they believe those items were deposited in the area of Denver's Capitol Hill neighborhood between the borders of Colfax Avenue, Broadway Avenue, 6th Avenue and York Street.

Credit: Lakewood Police
Lakewood Police identified an area in the Capital Hill area where parts of Gail Wilson's body were discovered.

The truck was recovered abandoned Nov. 5 in an area just northwest of Interstate 25 and Colfax Avenue in Denver, according to LPD. There was no sign of Gail Wilson or the contents that LPD said were earlier in the truck.

On Thursday, an LPD spokesperson said there was "nothing new" when asked whether police had located Gail Wilson's remains or narrowed down their search for him.

Credit: Lakewood Police
Lakewood Police say Gail Wilson's own truck was used to distribute his body around Denver's downtown.

LPD asks anyone who lives or works in the area who may have witnessed or have video of the items from the truck being dumped to contact the LPD tip line at 303-763-6800 and reference the case number CR# LK21040621.  

RELATED: Parents hope for change after daughter is killed in crash caused by suspected street racers

Savannah Wilson is due back in court Nov. 22, and Perez has his next appearance set for Dec. 7. Court documents related to their arrests remain sealed.

Credit: LPD
Savannah Wilson, Ricardo Perez, and Jay Griffith

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