Detectives from Modesto Police Department’s Violent Crimes Unit have arrested Scott Allen Tackett, 40, of Ceres for the murder of a woman who was reported missing on Jan. 13 after they hadn’t heard from her in a week.
The body of 46-year-old Rita Solis was found in a remote area near Vernalis just outside western Stanislaus County on Feb. 14.
Along with coordinated efforts by Ceres Police, Department of Justice, and the Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office, Tackett was identified and arrested on Friday, March 31. Tackett has been in custody at the Stanislaus County Jail on two cases being investigated by Ceres Police. He was rebooked on murder charges by MPD’s Violent Crimes detectives.
Solis had been last seen in the area of Ninth Street and River Road in south Modesto.
Police are not releasing information about whether Tackett knew Solis and no other additional information to preserve the integrity of the investigation.
Witnesses or anyone with information that would be helpful with this homicide investigation is encouraged to contact Detective Randy Bolinger at BolingerR@ModestoPD.com.