Colo. man accused of killing, decapitating woman had her severed hand in his pocket during arrest
01/18/2024 1:25 pm PST
PUEBLO, Colo. (TCD) -- A 26-year-old security guard was arrested on suspicion of murder for allegedly decapitating a 47-year-old woman, severing her hand, and keeping it in his jacket pocket.
According to the Pueblo Police Department, on Jan. 10 at 3:47 p.m., officers responded to Fountain Creek and found a female, who was identified as Renee Marie Portillos, deceased in the water. Officers later arrested Solomon Martinez on a charge of first-degree murder.
Martinez’s affidavit, cited by KRDO-TV, says on the morning of Jan. 9, Martinez met up with his roommate, Joshua Mazzurco, and another person at a car wash. Martinez reportedly had dirt on his clothing and blood on his hands, which he cleaned off with a power washer.
Martinez allegedly asked Mazzurco if he wanted to "absolve $1,000 off your debt" and help him dig a 10-foot hole. He allegedly later claimed it was a joke.
Mazzurco reportedly went to Martinez’s car to retrieve a tool bag and saw Martinez attempt to push a "big" object out of the way, but he was having a hard time.
According to the Pueblo Chieftain, which also cites the affidavit, the second witness and Martinez drove to the Fountain Creek area and Martinez moved the body to the water. Martinez allegedly threatened the witness with a gun because he needed help, but the person refused.
That witness ultimately reported him to police and led officers to the woman's body.
Martinez purportedly shot a video of the body to "cover for himself," then put a blanket over the corpse. Video seen by the police reportedly showed the headless victim with blood around various parts of her body.
KRDO reports police went to an arts center where Martinez worked as a security guard to place him under arrest. Before they took him into custody, he reportedly said, "I had a hand in my jacket for two days."
Officers located the hand inside a plastic bag in his front pocket.
When speaking with investigators, Martinez reportedly claimed the witness who reported him to police borrowed his car that night and returned it on Jan. 9. He said he left his gun and phone in the car. Then, he later allegedly changed his story and said he picked up a prostitute on Jan. 8. She reportedly asked for money for a sexual act, but he said no. He allegedly told police he dropped off the victim sometime around 2 a.m. to 3 a.m. and she was still alive.
Martinez reportedly had cuts on his hands, which he claimed came from his dogs, then he said the cuts came from picking up dog feces near rocks.
Additionally, detectives located blood inside Martinez’s vehicle.
Martinez is in custody at the Pueblo County Jail with bond set at $1 million.
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