Convicted serial killer Morris Solomon Jr. was found dead last week at a state prison in San Joaquin County, though the circumstances of his death have not been disclosed. Solomon, 80, was serving his sentence at the California Health Care Facility in Stockton. He was discovered dead inside his cell last Thursday at 11:51 p.m. by medical staff, according to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. The Office of the Inspector General was notified of his death.
Solomon had been incarcerated since Sept. 23, 1992, after being convicted in Sacramento County. He was sentenced to death for multiple felonies, including two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of second-degree murder, oral copulation with force, rape and sodomy with force.
Between June 1986 and April 1987, Sacramento police discovered the bodies of seven local prostitutes. Police said all but one of the bodies were found in homes where Solomon had worked or lived. Several of the victims were buried in mass graves.
Solomon’s crimes had a profound impact on the Sacramento community, as police worked to piece together connections between the victims and Solomon’s residences. His conviction brought some relief to the victims’ families, though the community has continued to grapple with the horrors of his actions.
Despite his conviction and subsequent incarceration, Solomon’s death leaves many unanswered questions. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation has yet to release further details about the circumstances of his death and it remains unclear whether it was due to foul play or natural causes.
Solomon’s case is a sad reminder of the devastating impact of serial crimes and the lasting effects they have on the families and communities of the victims. As the investigation into his death continues, the prison and the community at large await more information about the circumstances that led to the end of the life of one of California’s most notorious criminals.