Karen Solomon found dead in suspected murder-suicide of officer husband

A Massachusetts woman who spent years advocating for the mental health of first responders was found dead Monday, ending a multiday search following the death of her husband, a veteran police officer.

Worcester Police Chief Paul Saucier announced that a body believed to be that of Karen Solomon, 58, was discovered in a wooded area. Two employees from Fairlawn Rehabilitation Hospital on May Street found the remains while out for a walk just before 1 p.m. Monday. A handgun was recovered near the body, though authorities noted the weapon was not a Worcester police service weapon. Investigators are currently working to determine the ownership of the firearm.

The discovery concludes a search that began Tuesday, after officers responded to a report of a person down at the couple's Wildwood Avenue home at approximately 5:30 a.m. There, police found the body of Kurt Solomon, a patrol officer with the Worcester Police Department for 31 years. He was off-duty at the time of his death and was nearing retirement.

Chief Saucier described the deaths as a tragic murder-suicide and characterized the death of the officer as an act of domestic violence. While Karen Solomon faced charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon leading to serious bodily injury, Saucier emphasized that the couple had no prior history of domestic abuse.

According to investigators, the death of Kurt Solomon involved a sharp object. His service weapon remained at the residence.

The search for Karen Solomon involved a wide array of local, state, and federal agencies. U.S. Marshals, Homeland Security Investigations, and a helicopter from U.S. Customs and Border Protection assisted in the effort. Police utilized drones, boats, and tracking dogs, focusing their search on the area around Mill Street and Coes Pond, as well as a reservoir about a mile from the home. Officers also distributed flyers with her photograph to drivers in the area on Wednesday morning.

Doorbell camera footage released on August 19 showed Solomon walking down a street shortly after police arrived at the home. She was dressed in a T-shirt or tank top, shorts, and flip-flops. Because she was presumed to be armed, police warned that she should be considered dangerous.

The deaths have stunned the local law enforcement community. Karen Solomon was a co-founder of First H.E.L.P., an organization dedicated to reducing the stigma of seeking mental health assistance and supporting the families of first responders who have died by suicide. She had testified before the President’s Commission on Law Enforcement and the Administration of Justice in 2020 on a panel regarding support for officers.

Solomon was also the author of two books. Hearts Beneath the Badge detailed the good deeds and experiences of law enforcement, while The Price They Pay examined the physical and emotional toll of traumatic events on officers. In a 2016 interview with WBZ-TV, she discussed developing an app to support officers in crisis.

Thomas Duffy III, president of NEPBA Local 911, described Kurt Solomon as a loved and respected member of the department. He is survived by two adult sons.

In a statement read by Chief Saucier, the Solomon family described the past week as a nightmare that left them heartbroken and rudderless. They expressed gratitude for the compassion, dedication and empathy of the agencies involved in the search.

A wake for Officer Kurt Solomon is scheduled for Tuesday, followed by his funeral on Wednesday.