A tragic and shocking case has unfolded in Napa, California, where a 40-year-old man, Ernie Solis, is facing multiple murder charges after allegedly killing his fiancée, Hailey Privett, and her unborn twins.
The horrific crime occurred on June 8, 2025, and has left the community reeling. Authorities have detailed the disturbing circumstances surrounding the murder, which was reportedly committed by Solis hours before the victim’s family discovered her body.
The Discovery of the Crime
On the morning of June 8, Napa Police responded to a call reporting a deceased woman. Upon arriving at the scene, authorities identified the victim as Hailey Privett, a 33-year-old woman who was pregnant with twins, due to arrive in December. Investigators quickly named her fiancée, Ernie Solis, as the primary suspect in the brutal crime.
According to court documents, Privett’s children woke up that morning to find blood droplets and a bloody knife sheath inside their home. The children noticed that their mother’s bedroom door was locked and her vehicle was missing.
Concerned, a family member forced entry into the bedroom and tragically found Privett’s lifeless body. One of Privett’s other children was reportedly sleeping in a separate bed in the same room at the time of the discovery.
Solis’ Alleged Actions and Motive
Further investigation revealed that Solis had known about Privett’s pregnancy and had expressed troubling thoughts about it. According to messages sent to a relative, Solis allegedly mentioned that he was “really thinking about saying that we need to have an abortion and just wait for a better time to have kids.” Authorities believe this may have been a factor in his violent actions.
Solis reportedly stabbed Privett multiple times, killing her and the unborn twins she carried. The brutality of the crime has shocked both the local community and those who knew Privett, a woman described as a loving mother with a promising future.
Solis’ Criminal History and Arrest
This is not the first time Solis has been involved in violent behavior. In 2013, he was convicted for a knife attack in Napa and sentenced to 10 years in prison. Solis was also convicted in 2019 for assaulting another inmate. After serving his time, he was released on parole in May 2024, just over a year before the alleged murder.
Authorities tracked Solis to Fairfield, where he was apprehended on the night of June 9, 2025, and taken into custody. After further investigation, Solis was charged with three counts of murder, one for Privett and two for the unborn twins.
He faces the special allegation of multiple murder, which carries the added penalty of being convicted for the unlawful killing of more than one person.
Legal Consequences and Potential Sentencing
If convicted, Solis faces serious consequences, including life in prison without the possibility of parole. Depending on the circumstances, he could also face the death penalty. The Napa County District Attorney’s Office is treating this as a tragic case of extreme violence and is determined to seek justice for the victims.