Michelle Hochman, a 15-year-old girl from Northridge, California, was last seen on October 12, 1982, along with her entire family. Michelle lived with her mother, Elaine Salomon, stepfather Sol Salomon, and younger brother Mitchel Salomon. The family, originally from Israel, disappeared under suspicious circumstances from their home on Lassen Street. Evidence at the scene suggested foul play, including small blood splatters and personal items such as passports and wallets later found scattered along a freeway near Acton, California.
Investigators focused on a man named Harvey Rader, a business associate of Sol Salomon, as the prime suspect. Prosecutors theorized that Rader had killed Sol after a dispute over a $20,000 investment Sol made in Rader’s car business. It was believed that Elaine and the children were also killed because they knew Sol had been with Rader that night. Despite this theory and some testimony, the case against Rader resulted in two mistrials, and he was eventually acquitted in 1992 due to lack of concrete evidence. The family’s bodies have never been found, and the case remains unsolved.
Last Seen: Oct 12, 1982
