WORCESTER, Mass. — Karen Solomon, a mental health advocate who was being sought in connection with the death of her husband, Worcester police officer Kurt Solomon, was found dead Monday after nearly a week of searching, authorities said.
Police responded shortly before 1 p.m. Aug. 24 to an area near Fairlawn Rehabilitation Hospital on May Street after two hospital employees reported finding a body in the woods. Worcester Police Chief Paul Saucier said investigators believe the woman was 58-year-old Karen Solomon, although final identification remained pending with the state medical examiner.
A handgun was found near the body. Saucier said it was not a Worcester Police Department service weapon, and investigators were working to determine its ownership. Police have not publicly released additional details about the circumstances of Solomon’s death.
Search ended after six days
The discovery brought an end to an intensive search that began after Kurt Solomon was found dead at the couple’s Wildwood Avenue home shortly before 5:30 a.m. on Aug. 18.
Kurt Solomon, 57, was a 31-year veteran of the Worcester Police Department. Authorities previously said he suffered fatal injuries involving a sharp object. Karen Solomon had been at the home that morning, according to investigators, and police later sought her for questioning.
An arrest warrant had been issued for Karen Solomon on a charge of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury. Police had described her as potentially armed and dangerous and asked the public to help locate her.
Investigators searched areas around the couple’s home and Coes Pond during the weeklong operation. Local, state and federal agencies took part in the effort, with police using resources that included boats, drones and tracking dogs.
On Aug. 19, police released doorbell-camera footage showing Karen Solomon walking away from the area of the couple’s home shortly after officers arrived following the discovery of her husband.
Police describe case as a likely murder-suicide
With Karen Solomon now believed to be dead, Chief Saucier said investigators are treating the deaths as a likely murder-suicide.
“We believe this case is a tragic murder-suicide that occurred,” Saucier said Monday.
Police have continued to work to establish the full sequence of events. The identification of the body and other investigative details remain subject to further review.
City Manager Eric D. Batista said Monday that the past week had been difficult for Worcester and thanked the police department and other agencies involved in the search. He described Kurt Solomon as a valued member of the Worcester community and noted his 31 years of service to the department.
Karen Solomon was an advocate for first responders
Before the investigation, Karen Solomon was known for her work addressing mental health among police officers and other first responders.
She co-founded First H.E.L.P., an organization focused on supporting first responders and their families, reducing the stigma surrounding mental health assistance and raising awareness of challenges within law enforcement and other first-responder communities.
She also wrote two books about the experiences of first responders, including the physical and psychological impact of their work.
The Solomon family said Monday that the past week had left them devastated but thanked the law enforcement agencies that worked to locate Karen.
“The nightmare of the past week has left our family heartbroken and rudderless,” the family said in a statement read by Chief Saucier. “The compassion, dedication and empathy of all agencies involved have given us light in face of darkness.”
Kurt Solomon’s public wake is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 25, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Our Lady of the Angels Church in Worcester. His funeral Mass is scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 26, at 11 a.m. at the same church.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to finalize the identification of Karen Solomon and complete their review of what happened at the couple’s home and in the days that followed.
