AURORA | An Aurora man faces 96 years in prison after being convicted of second-degree murder of his wife, who disappeared in 2021.
Shane Dorsey, 52, was found guilty following a seven-day jury trial in connection with the death of Lisa Marino-Dorsey, 57.
The conviction followed years of investigative work by police, according to Eric Ross, spokesperson for the 18th Judicial District.
Marino-Dorsey was last seen by someone other than her husband on Dec. 28, 2021 at the couple’s Aurora home, according to prosecutors.
The case involved a history of domestic violence between the couple. Aurora police records documented dozens of calls for service involving Shane and Lisa Dorsey dating to 2013, including allegations of physical assault, strangulation and threats.
On Dec. 25, 2021, Lisa reported that her husband struck her in the head three times with a bottle during an argument. Responding officers observed a lump about the size of a golf ball on her head, according to the prosecution.
Two days later, another dispute occurred at the home involving damage to a roommate’s car. Lisa subsequently sent the roommate messages describing physical abuse by her husband.
After Dec. 28, Lisa stopped responding to calls and messages from family and friends. Her personal belongings, clothing, suitcase, cellphone and dog were left behind, prosecutors said.
Lisa’s brother requested a welfare check Jan. 2, 2022, after several days without contact. Officers received no answer at the home. Her brother reported her missing to police the following day.
Investigators said Shane Dorsey initially told others that his wife had left following an argument with a roommate and said she might have gone to New York to visit family. Investigators determined she didn’t.
On Jan. 5, 2022, the Colorado State Patrol found Lisa’s car on Interstate 25 near RidgeGate Parkway, south of Lone Tree. The vehicle had significant damage, and footprints led away from it. Her personal belongings were found inside.
Investigators also examined cellphone and Google location data associated with Shane Dorsey. The data placed his phone in Colorado Springs between Jan. 4 and Jan. 5, 2022.
Detectives identified activity involving Lisa’s car in Colorado Springs before the vehicle was involved in the interstate crash.
Despite years of investigative work, authorities never found Lisa’s body, and the case eventually went cold, Ross said.
The Aurora Police Department reopened the investigation Nov. 15, 2024. Detectives conducted additional interviews, reviewed historical digital evidence and pursued new leads, including interviewing witnesses who hadn’t previously spoken with investigators.
Senior Chief Deputy District Attorney Michael Mauro said the absence of Lisa’s remains presented a significant challenge for prosecutors.
“But the absence of a body does not mean the absence of evidence,” Mauro said in a statement.
Prosecutors presented evidence in court that Lisa had regularly, and traceably, spent money and went to medical appointments before her disappearance, but those activities abruptly stopped afterward. There were no additional bank transactions, medical appointments or communications from her, Mauro said.
“The evidence established that Lisa was no longer alive,” he said.
The Arapahoe County jury found Dorsey guilty of second-degree murder.
Senior Deputy District Attorney Lauren Crisera said the conviction couldn’t erase the loss experienced by Lisa’s family.
Crisera said she hoped the verdict would provide the family some comfort and recognition that Lisa hadn’t been forgotten.
Prosecutors also won three habitual criminal sentence enhancements, which could significantly increase his prison sentence.
Sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 4, 2027. Dorsey faces a mandatory 96-year prison sentence if the court upholds the habitual criminal convictions following anticipated litigation.
He is currently being held in the Arapahoe County Jail without bond until sentencing.