Witness Forced to Dismember Body at Gunpoint
The grim details of a murder case that shocked Pueblo, Colorado, have grown even more unsettling. Solomon Martinez, 26, was arrested on Jan. 10, 2024, with a severed human hand in his jacket pocket. Martinez stands accused of confessing to the murder in a recorded jailhouse phone call with his mother. The victim, identified as 41-year-old Renee Portillos, was found decapitated in Fountain Creek, but her head has yet to be recovered.
A Chilling Discovery Leads to Arrest
The case began when witnesses reported seeing Martinez dragging what appeared to be a body from his car to Fountain Creek. Police arrived to find Portillos' decapitated body and later arrested Martinez. During his arrest, officers discovered the severed hand wrapped in a plastic bag inside his jacket pocket — a grim clue that led to charges of first-degree murder and tampering with human remains.
In his initial statements, Martinez admitted to hiring Portillos as a prostitute, but denied involvement in the murder, claiming an acquaintance had killed and dismembered her. However, evidence and testimony have since unraveled this narrative.
Disturbing Evidence and a Jailhouse Confession
At a Sept. 3, 2024, hearing, prosecutors presented a recording of two phone calls Martinez made to his mother from jail. In the first call, he claimed to have "blacked out" during the murder, according to The Pueblo Chieftain. However, in the second call, he alleged that Portillos had asked him to kill her. He also blamed his family for "making him into the monster" he had become and insisted he didn't deserve life in prison, as he had "already learned his lesson," as reported by The Pueblo Chieftain.
Investigators combed through Martinez's phone, finding videos and photos that allegedly show evidence of necrophilia. Martinez's digital footprint also revealed a history of interactions on a subreddit thread dedicated to necrophilia, where he allegedly openly discussed his urges over a two-year period. In the phone call to his mother, Martinez reportedly admitted to harboring necrophiliac desires for years, but said he had hidden them from his family.
A Witness Under Duress
The case also involves chilling testimony from an eyewitness, who claimed Martinez forced him at gunpoint to help dismember Portillos' body. The witness alleged that when he first saw the corpse, the head was already missing. Martinez reportedly threatened him, leaving the man too terrified to refuse.
The eyewitness later provided a video of Martinez allegedly dragging Portillos' body to the creek, which police used to corroborate his account. Prosecutors argued that even if the witness participated in dismembering the body, it does not absolve Martinez of responsibility for the murder or for concealing evidence.
Defense and Prosecution Prepare for Trial
Martinez's defense attorney, Jonah Wexler, has argued that the prosecution has not sufficiently proven premeditation, a necessary element for first-degree murder charges. Wexler also suggested Martinez may not have dismembered the body, pointing to the possibility of an alternate suspect. However, Deputy District Attorney Stacey Turner contended that Martinez had ample time to deliberate before the killing and noted that he admitted to his necrophiliac urges and his role in the murder.
Judge Allison P. Ernst ruled that there was sufficient evidence to send the case to trial, pointing out that Martinez was found with a severed hand, an act likely intended to hinder identification. Ernst also noted the disturbing fact that Portillos' head remains missing, further complicating the investigation.
Awaiting Justice
Martinez has pleaded not guilty to all charges. His trial is set to begin in January 2025, where prosecutors will seek to prove his actions were both deliberate and premeditated. The Pueblo community continues to grapple with the shocking details of the case, as new revelations paint a grim portrait of the events leading up to Portillos' death.
As the trial approaches and the investigation continues to unfold, the tragedy underscores the profound consequences of violence and the pursuit of justice for the victim and her family.
References: Security guard arrested with severed hand in his pocket, charged with murder, police say | Severed Hand Found in Man's Pocket After Arrest | Murder suspect found with severed hand in pocket allegedly confessed in jail phone call
