Elmer Edward Solly Escaped killer who spent 27 years on the run Date of Birth: 05.09.1945 Country: USA

1. Biography of Elmer Edward Solly
2. Escape and Life on the Run
3. A Life of False Identities
4. Assuming a New Identity
5. Capture and Conviction
6. Final Years and Death

Biography of Elmer Edward Solly

Elmer Edward Solly was born on September 5, 1945. On the evening of July 25, 1969, Solly, in an alcohol-induced rage, brutally beat two-year-old Christopher, the son of his girlfriend. The poor child succumbed to his injuries and died. A few days later, Solly turned himself in and was convicted of involuntary manslaughter on April 16, 1970. He began serving his sentence in Trenton State Prison.

Escape and Life on the Run

When Solly's mother and grandmother inundated prison authorities with letters claiming mistreatment of their son and grandson by the guards, he was transferred to Leesburg State Prison in 1974. While at the new facility, Solly formed a close relationship with a prison psychologist who convinced officials to allow him to visit his mother. During his third visit, in June 1974, Solly was accompanied only by the psychologist. Taking advantage of the situation, Solly requested permission to meet with his girlfriend and then simply seized the opportunity to escape. Police were informed of his escape only six hours later. Solly began living under different names to avoid being caught by the police.

A Life of False Identities

In 1975, he was arrested in Philadelphia for possession of stolen property, but his false documents prevented his identification as a fugitive. In 1979, he was stopped for a traffic violation, yet again, the police failed to recognize him as Solly. Detectives working on his case had very few leads, and even his relatives, especially his mother Edna Bolt, refused to cooperate. Eventually, his case turned into a cold case.

Assuming a New Identity

Making his way to Florida, Edward assumed the name of Chris Donald, a former guitarist of the band 'Sha Na Na' who performed under the stage name Vinnie Taylor. The real Chris Donald had died of a heroin overdose in 1974, but this did not stop Solly from using fake documents, including a social security card, birth certificate, and even a baptism certificate. Solly claimed that he was Donald, who had faked his own death, and that he would now perform and record songs under the pseudonym Danny C. When the members of 'Sha Na Na' discovered the hoax, they demanded that Solly stop impersonating their former bandmate. Solly refused, and the group members decided against legal action, not wanting to create a scandal and inadvertently promote the imposter.

Capture and Conviction

In 1999, New Jersey police officer Louis Kinkle and investigators from Cumberland County reopened Solly's case. They enlisted the help of forensic artist Frank Bender, who used a photograph of a 25-year-old Solly to create an aged depiction of the fugitive. In March 2000, Edna Bolt passed away, and after her death, members of Edward's family began cooperating with the detectives. Bolt's husband revealed that Solly was living in Florida and performing as Danny C. A photograph of Danny C was found online, and it closely resembled the portrait created by the forensic artist. Eventually, Solly was discovered fishing on a pier near his apartment. He was arrested on May 10, 2001, and returned to New Jersey a week later. He was convicted on October 5, 2010, for his 1974 escape and was required to complete his sentence for the murder. However, he was released on parole in 2003, with special conditions remaining in effect until June 2011.

Final Years and Death

According to the latest information available, Solly resided in a New Jersey hotel room, paid for by social services. He passed away on November 30, 2007.