Darlene Solis, a 33-year-old Hispanic woman from Houston, Texas, was tragically murdered on April 28, 2020. Darlene was known for her vibrant personality, adventurous spirit, and dedication to her family and friends. She was born in McAllen, Texas, and had a large extended family who loved her dearly. Darlene's life was cut short when she was shot four times by her ex-boyfriend, Corey Lewis Campbell, in her apartment on West Little York.
Corey Lewis Campbell, a 34-year-old construction
worker, had been in an on-and-off relationship with Darlene for about three years. Despite their breakup, Darlene allowed Campbell to stay with her temporarily while he was between jobs. At the time of the murder, Darlene was dating another man but wanted to help Campbell out. On the day of the murder, Campbell shot Darlene four times with a .40-caliber pistol while they were alone in her apartment. He then left the murder weapon under the bed and fled to North Carolina, where his mother lived.
Darlene's body was discovered by her stepfather, a deputy with the Harris County Sheriff's Office, after her mother became concerned when she hadn't heard from her daughter for two days. The deputy found Darlene's body in the bathroom of her apartment, and the body-camera footage was used as evidence during the trial. Campbell was arrested in North Carolina after confessing to a witness who knew details about the case that were not public. He was later extradited to Houston to face trial.
During the two-week trial, many members of Darlene's large extended family were present in the courtroom. Campbell was convicted of murder and sentenced to 40 years in prison. He will have to serve at least half of his sentence before he is eligible for parole. The trial included emotional impact statements from Darlene's family, highlighting the devastating loss they experienced. Darlene's mother and one of her brothers, who is an active member of the U.S. Army, provided heartfelt statements about the impact of her death on their lives.
The case of Darlene Solis' murder serves as a tragic reminder of the dangers of domestic violence and the lasting impact it has on families and communities. Darlene's family continues to mourn the loss of their beloved daughter, sister, and friend, while Campbell serves his sentence for the senseless crime he committed.
