A Colorado Springs woman faces murder charges after police allegedly found a man’s remains in her home months after his reported death.
Sheldon “Shelly” Wilson, 62, was arrested after her daughter brought her to the Colorado Springs Police Department on Sept. 20, according to an arrest affidavit reported by KKTV.
Wilson allegedly told officers that the man had died in March while she was at work and that his remains were inside her home.
Before police searched the residence, Wilson reportedly warned officers that they were about to discover something serious.
“You’re going to find out a lot more real soon, it’s bad,” she allegedly said, according to the affidavit. She also reportedly told officers, “There’s no words for what you’re fixing to find out.”
Police discover remains inside plastic containers
Officers went to the home in the 4000 block of Tappan Drive and reported finding two black plastic containers with red lids. Investigators noticed a strong odor of decomposition, according to the affidavit.
Police allegedly found human remains inside the containers and trash bags. Investigators also documented dark staining on a mattress that they believed could be blood.
Wilson reportedly told police that she had dismembered the body and placed the remains in the containers. She allegedly moved them upstairs because of the smell and slept downstairs because she was having nightmares.
Police had previously responded to the home 18 times since December 2024 over allegations involving the man’s welfare, according to local reports.
Affidavit describes alleged abuse concerns
Family members reportedly told police that Wilson had called them more than 40 times and said she wanted to kill the man. Those claims remain part of the investigation and have not been proven in court.
Wilson allegedly told investigators that she sometimes became heavily intoxicated and physically abused the man. She reportedly said she would later sober up and find him injured.
According to the affidavit, Wilson also acknowledged that she had done “bad things” to him on multiple occasions while drinking. Investigators said the man’s medical condition left him unable to defend himself.
Wilson’s account of the reported death
Wilson allegedly said she found the man unresponsive the day after his birthday. She told investigators she had been drinking and did not remember everything that happened.
She reportedly covered him with blankets, went to work and later returned home, where she confirmed that he was dead.
Wilson allegedly left the body in the home for a period of time before dismembering it and placing the remains in plastic containers. The affidavit says she later told police that she had moved the containers because of the odor.
On Sept. 17, police conducted a welfare check after the man’s family raised concerns. Wilson allegedly told officers that he was staying with relatives in another state.
Woman faces multiple charges
Wilson was charged with second-degree murder, tampering with a deceased human body and tampering with physical evidence. She was being held without bond, according to KRDO.
The man’s identity had not been publicly confirmed in the initial police reports. The El Paso County Coroner’s Office is expected to identify him and determine the cause and manner of death.
Authorities have not announced whether additional charges will be filed. Wilson is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.