Morris Solomon

Serial Killer

Morris Solomon Jr.: The Sacramento Slayer

Overview

Morris Solomon Jr. was an American serial killer and repeat sexual offender who murdered six women in Sacramento, California, during the mid-1980s. A seventh woman, Angela Polidore, was also found dead at a property connected to him, although prosecutors ultimately dismissed the murder charge involving her. Solomon became known as the "Sacramento Slayer" and the "Homicidal Handyman of Oak Park" because numerous victims were hidden or buried at houses where he had lived or performed repair work. The murders occurred primarily in and around Oak Park, a working-class Sacramento neighborhood where Solomon earned money as a handyman. He appeared helpful and familiar to local residents, which allowed him to move through homes and abandoned properties without immediately attracting suspicion. Behind that ordinary appearance was a long history of violence against women, including choking, sexual assault, rape, false imprisonment and attacks involving weapons. Many of the women connected to Solomon were living in vulnerable circumstances. Some struggled with drug addiction or engaged in sex work. Their disappearances did not initially produce a coordinated investigation, allowing Solomon to continue offending while bodies remained concealed in closets, yards and shallow graves. The eventual discovery of several victims at properties associated with the same handyman exposed the disturbing pattern.

Early History of Violence

Solomon was born on March 15, 1944, in Albany, Georgia. Accounts presented during his trial described a childhood marked by severe physical abuse. He later served in the United States military during the Vietnam era and eventually settled in California. Although his attorneys later argued that childhood trauma, military experiences, psychological problems and cocaine use contributed to his behavior, the prosecution emphasized the calculated and repetitive nature of his violence. His attacks on women began long before the Sacramento murders. In September 1969, he attacked an 18-year-old woman with a knife. On January 12, 1971, another woman was reportedly threatened with a firearm, forced into a vehicle and sexually assaulted. In May 1971, Solomon kicked a woman in the face during an attack and was convicted of assault with intent to commit rape. On October 18, 1975, Solomon placed a chain around a woman's neck, choked her until she lost consciousness, humiliated her and sexually assaulted her. He was convicted of aggravated assault and false imprisonment. In December 1976, he choked another 18-year-old woman unconscious and was again convicted of assault with intent to commit rape and false imprisonment. Despite this established history of predatory violence, he was eventually released and returned to the Sacramento area. ...

Confirmed Victims: (7)

Yolanda Johnson Age: (22), Date of Death: 1986-06-18

Morris Solomon Jr. - Wikipedia