Marcus Wesson, once perceived as a caring father, committed a heinous crime over two decades ago that left onlookers traumatized. A former soldier, Wesson subjected his wife and her children, many of whom he fathered, to abuse for 30 years. Following his service in Vietnam, he entered a relationship with Rosemary Solorio and cohabited with her and her eight children.
By 1971, Rosemary had given birth to Wesson’s son, and within three years, he began sexually assaulting his partner’s eight-year-old daughter, Elizabeth. The disturbing cycle continued as Elizabeth, at 14, married Wesson, who was then 34. Shortly after their marriage, Elizabeth gave birth to their first child.
In total, the couple had ten children, including one who tragically passed away. Additionally, one of Elizabeth’s younger sisters entrusted her seven children to the couple due to her struggles with drug addiction.
Wesson, a father and husband, exhibited brutal behavior, avoiding employment and instead relying on welfare and the earnings of his children, which he confiscated. By 1989, he faced convictions for welfare fraud and perjury, and the family frequently resided in dilapidated locations such as abandoned houses, rundown shacks, and even boats.
Yet, the most chilling aspects unfolded behind closed doors. Wesson subjected his family to abuse, enforced strict control over Elizabeth’s involvement in raising their children, and mandated homeschooling for all. Disturbingly, he crafted his distorted version of the Bible, depicting Jesus as a vampire, and proclaimed himself as God to his children, who were required to address him as Master or Lord and prepare for an apocalyptic event.
His daughters were groomed to become his future wives, with lessons on sexual acts starting as early as eight years old. Wesson sexually assaulted his daughters and nieces, resulting in five pregnancies.
Household chores for the children included washing Wesson’s hair and body, and siblings were prohibited from interacting with each other or their mother.
In 2004, Wesson announced their relocation from Fresno, California, to Washington, sparking a confrontation with his extended family and nieces who had fled the household. Upon police intervention, a horrifying scene greeted them, with nine individuals found deceased in a bedroom, each shot in the eye while surrounded by antique coffins.
All victims, including Wesson’s children, fell prey to his heinous acts. Fresno’s current Mayor, Jerry Dyer, who was the police chief during the incident, still grapples with the profound impact of the gruesome crime.
Marcus Wesson, now 79, resides at San Quentin Rehabilitation Center following his death sentence in 2005. Governor Newsom’s suspension of executions in California in 2019 rendered him ineligible for the death penalty. However, for Dyer, seeing Wesson alive remains a source of indignation, believing that he deserves the ultimate punishment.
