True Crime Stories of Fairfield, California

Murder, mystery and misdemeanors in Solano County’s seat.

From the very beginning, Fairfield hosted its fair share of criminal activity. City founder Robert Waterman, a famed sea captain accused of beating his own crew during the ＂hellship trials,＂ walked away a free man, but the fallout paved the way for seamen’s rights. A spree killer set the state mass murder record in the 1920s, and several decades later, Fairfield was chosen as the location for serial killer Juan Corona’s trial. Mass murders, missing children, political scandals and even a case involving an Armijo High School graduate turned Russian spy all have their roots in this California town.

Author and accidental historian Tony Wade shines a light on the dark past of Fairfield, California.

Tony Wade came to Fairfield in 1976 and never left. In 2006, Wade began writing for the Daily Republic and became an ＂accidental historian＂ with his ＂Back in the Day＂ columns. In 2024, California State Senator Bill Dodd presented Wade with a resolution commending him for his community service and his humorous and historical writings. He lives in Fairfield with his wife and in-house editor, Beth, and their Chiweenie, Chunky Tiberius Wade. Reach Tony Wade at toekneeweighed@gmail.com.