Karen Solomon, wife wanted in connection with Worcester police officer's death, found dead
Karen Solomon, wanted for questioning in the death of her Worcester, Massachusetts police officer husband, has been found dead after an extensive, multi-day search. Worcester police made the announcement during a Monday news conference.
Her husband Kurt Solomon, a 31-year veteran of the force, was found dead by police at their Wildwood Avenue home just before 5:30 a.m. Tuesday. She was last seen walking in the area wearing pajama shorts and a tank top, and police said she was "presumed to be armed and dangerous."
Just before 1 p.m. on Monday, two employees from Fairlawn Rehabilitation Hospital on May Street were out for a walk when they found a body in the woods, police said.
"At no time did the Solomon family have any history of domestic abuse. I want to make myself absolutely clear, at this point that has nothing to do with this case. We believe this case is a tragic murder-suicide that occurred and we still have plenty of work to do as far as wrapping up all the pieces to this," Worcester Police Chief Paul Saucier said, adding a gun was found near Karen Solomon's body.
The focus of the search was the area around Mill Street and Coes Pond in Worcester, about a half mile away from the couple's home. A helicopter from U.S. Customs and Border Protection and personnel from Homeland Security and the U.S. Marshals Service were part of the search.
Saucier read a statement from the Solomon family during the Monday news conference.
"The nightmare of the past week has left our family heartbroken and rudderless. The compassion, dedication and empathy of all agencies involved have given us light in face of darkness. The selflessness of those who have helped us weather the storm cannot be expressed in simple words," the family said.
The family also thanked all the departments that were involved in the search.
"You men and women have taken time out of your lives to help us find answers, if there ever will be any. You have given us comfort knowing you are working on our behalf, for us. God bless you all," the family said in its statement. "For those in Massachusetts and throughout the world who have offered up prayers and sympathies, they have helped us through each minute of the day. Thank you for your basic human compassion. May God be with all of us."
Who is Karen Solomon?
Karen and Kurt Solomon were married. Karen, 58, was the founder of First H.E.L.P., an organization that addresses the mental health crisis facing first responders.
Karen Solomon sat down for an interview with WBZ-TV's Louisa Moller in 2016 to talk about an app she was developing to support police officers in crisis. She was also the author of a book called "Hearts Beneath the Badge," which recounted good deeds performed by law enforcement.
"I'm going to tell some stories about all the good things people forget they do," Solomon said. "They buy meals, they save people's lives, they put themselves in jeopardy."
Who is Kurt Solomon?
Officer Kurt Solomon was a distinguished member of the Worcester Police Department who was getting close to retirement, the local police union said. He had two adult sons.
"Kurt was a loved and respected member of our department with 31 years," Officer Thomas Duffy, president of NEPBA Local 911, said. "When you serve 31 years with an individual, you become more than co-workers, you become family and today we lost a member of our family."
Kurt Solomon's cause of death has not yet been released.
