On September 26, 2012, Lewis and his 81-year-old landlady Catherine Davis were found dead at Davis' home. Davis was known in Hollywood for operating the Writers' Villa, a bed-and-breakfast for up-and-coming performers, directors and writers, in her home. Lewis, who had previously lived there in 2009, had recently moved back in. Police were called by neighbors after Lewis violently attacked two people at the property next door and Davis was heard screaming. Upon arriving, officers from the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) found Lewis' body on the home's driveway. Davis was found dead inside the house, having suffered severe head injuries; her pet cat Jessie was also found dead in a bathroom.