Woman sought in Worcester police officer’s death found dead, police say

Karen Solomon, a Worcester mental health advocate who had been sought as a suspect in the death of her husband, a Worcester police officer, has been found dead, police said Monday.

Shortly before 1 p.m. Monday, two people walking from Fairlawn Rehabilitation Hospital found a body in the woods near 189 May St., Worcester Police Chief Paul B. Saucier announced at a news conference. 

Police believe the body is that of 58-year-old Karen Solomon. A handgun was found nearby, Saucier said.

“Forensically, this still needs to be vetted through the [Medical Examiner’s] office, but we do believe it’s her,” Saucier said. 

Karen Solomon had been sought since Aug. 18, when Kurt Solomon, a 31-year-old veteran of the Worcester Police Department, was found dead inside his Wildwood Avenue home. 

Authorities had described Karen Solomon as “armed and dangerous,” and Saucier previously said the officer was mortally injured with a sharp object. 

Saucier said investigators are now treating the case as a “murder-suicide.” 

“We still have plenty of work to do as far as wrapping up all the pieces to this,” he added. 

Kurt and Karen Solomon had been married and shared a home, court records indicated. Officials previously described the investigation as a domestic violence case because the Solomons were family or household members under Massachusetts law, but Saucier emphasized on Monday that domestic abuse was not a factor in this case.

“At no time did the Solomon family have any history of domestic abuse,” Saucier said. “I want to make myself absolutely clear at this point that has nothing to do with this case.” 

The Solomon family provided a statement that Saucier read during the news conference. 

“The compassion, dedication, and empathy of all agencies involved have given us light in the face of darkness,” the statement said. “The selflessness of those who have helped us weather the storm cannot be expressed in simple words. However, we, the members of the Solomon family, will try.” 

The search for Karen Solomon

Authorities spent nearly a week searching for Karen Solomon, concentrating much of their efforts around Coes Pond, Saucier said. 

Police said Saturday in a Facebook post that Solomon was last seen near 200 Mill St. and the Coes Pond area around 5:45 a.m. Aug. 18. Authorities also released Ring camera footage showing Solomon walking around 5:40 a.m. towards Westcott Street, wearing a tank top and pajama shorts. 

On Friday, the city closed Coes Pond Parks and Stearns Tavern as police, including dive teams and police dogs, searched the area. 

An arrest warrant was issued for Solomon that same day, charging her with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.

The area where Solomon was found Monday, near 189 May St., is roughly 1 to 1.5 miles from Coes Pond. 

Who was Karen Solomon? 

Karen Solomon was the co-founder and president of First H.E.L.P., the organization’s website indicates. The nonprofit works to reduce mental health stigma among first responders and provide support to surviving families. 

According to First H.E.L.P., Solomon has written books and articles about police officer suicide, its impact on families, and the challenges officers face on duty. 

First H.E.L.P. released a statement on Saturday, thanking the “outpouring of support, compassion, prayers, and messages” from the public and safety community. 

“No words can adequately convey the depth of grief surrounding this tragedy,” the nonprofit said in a Facebook post. “We continue to hold the Solomon family, and all those whose lives have been forever changed, in our thoughts and prayers.” 

First H.E.L.P. said it would not comment further on the investigation, adding that it has “confidence in the justice system.”