REHOBOTH BEACH, Del. — Delaware State Police have identified the man found dead inside a parked SUV on Olive Avenue last month as 85-year-old Lewis Johnson of Reston, Virginia. Authorities confirmed Johnson died of natural causes and no criminal charges will be filed in the case. Johnson’s body was discovered around 6:30 p.m. on June 24, after a resident reported a foul odor coming from a grey Mazda CX-5 with Virginia license plates legally parked in the 40 block of Olive Avenue. Investigators said Johnson’s body was partially covered, making it difficult to see him from outside the vehicle.
During the investigation, detectives learned that Johnson’s family member, 53-year-old Venessa Johnson, drove him to Rehoboth Beach after he had already died. Concerns for her well-being led to a Gold Alert being issued on June 28. She was located the next day and transported to a medical facility for evaluation. Forensic testing by the Division of Forensic Science determined Johnson’s death was from natural causes, and officials emphasized that there were no signs of foul play. Police say the case is now closed, with no charges expected.
