Arizona investigators ask public to help in case of woman found dead in desert in 2005

Arizona investigators are asking the public to help in the investigation into the death of an Oro Valley woman from 2005.

Over 20 years ago, Zuraida “Bee Bee” Lewis left for work on Friday, Jan. 28, at about 6:45 a.m. and never arrived for her shift. Lewis worked at the Hilton Tucson El Conquistador Hotel and Resort.

Zuraida “Bee Bee” Lewis (Attorney General’s Office)

Her coworker noticed Lewis’ vehicle was in the hotel parking lot but not in her designated spot, which sparked concern and led to her being reported missing and an investigation being opened, according to a news release.

Hunters found a nude female body the next morning, Saturday, Jan. 29, in a desert area near Willow Springs Road and State Highway 77 in Pinal County, which was later identified as Lewis.

“If anyone has information on the death or disappearance of Zuraida ‘Bee Bee’ Lewis, we are urging them to come forward and share what they know,” Attorney General Kris Mayes said in the release. “Even though over 21 years have passed since Ms. Lewis’ death, my office and local law enforcement have not given up on finding answers.

“Any detail, no matter how small, may help lead to a resolution in this case.”

The Arizona Attorney General’s Office and Pinal County authorities are working together in the ongoing investigation.

Anyone with information can report it to the Attorney General’s Office Cold Case Unit or anonymously to Silent Witness.

The Cold Case Unit in the Arizona Attorney General’s Office was created in 2025 to re-examine unsolved cases. On Tuesday, authorities announced the Unit helped solve a 39-year-old case.

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