The wife of a slain police patrolman, who had been sought by authorities after his death, has been found dead in a wooded area near a medical facility.
Karen Solomon, 58, disappeared from her Massachusetts home after police obtained a warrant for her arrest in connection with the killing of her husband, 57-year-old Kurt Solomon.
Worcester Police Chief Paul Saucier said Monday afternoon that medical staff at Fairlawn Rehabilitation Hospital discovered what investigators believe to be Solomon’s body in woods near the hospital.
Authorities had been seeking Solomon on a warrant charging her with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing bodily injury.
‘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,’ Saucier said. He also confirmed that a handgun was recovered near the body.
Police said the firearm was not a service weapon, and investigators found preliminary evidence indicating a gunshot wound on her body.
The most recent video released to the media showed Solomon entering the water at Coes Pond. According to Saucier, the body was located about 0.6 miles from the pond.
During Monday’s update, Saucier read a statement from the couple’s family that said in part, ‘The nightmare of the past week has left our family heartbroken and rudderless.’ The family also expressed gratitude to the officers working on the investigation.
Police have located what they believe is Karen Solomon’s body. She fled her Massachusetts home earlier this month after her husband was found dead
Officers were seen at the Solomon’s residence after Kurt Solomon was found dead in the home
Kurt Solomon served as a police officer the Worcester force for 31 years, and his colleagues are now having to investigate his untimely death
Police have been combing the Worcester neighborhood in search of Solomon. The new discovery comes just one day before her husband’s wake and two days before his funeral.
Last Thursday, Worcester Police shared footage of the alleged killer wife strolling outside a veterinary medical facility about a mile from the crime scene.
Solomon can be seen slouching slightly as she walked past the animal center, and at one point glancing over her left shoulder.
The Ring security video was filmed at about 5.40am last Tuesday – roughly 10 minutes after officers found her husband dead inside their Wildwood Avenue home.
Kurt Solomon served as a police officer with the Worcester force for 31 years, and his former colleagues are now having to investigate his untimely death. He was a father to two sons.
Their leafy Webster Square neighborhood has been rocked by the tragedy, with neighbors telling local media there were no warning signs.
Karen Solomon was even known as a champion for first responders after co-founding FIRST H.E.L.P, a group advocating for the mental health of police officers.
She also wrote two books about the physical and psychological experiences of emergency responders.
Before locating Solomon, police initiated a manhunt for the accused killer. They shared surveillance footage of her walking around the street in flip-flops
Solomon was last seen on surveillance footage near the parking lot of Westside Animal Clinic on Mill Street
At a press conference last week, Worcester District Attorney Joseph Early would not disclose how Kurt died, describing the situation as a domestic incident.
Saucier clarified on Monday that the situation was described as ‘domestic’ per Massachusetts state law.
Public records seen by Our News Outlet indicated that the two were married and had lived inside their $370,000 home for several years.
Solomon’s police officer mental health group, First H.E.L.P, released a statement in response to the tragedy.
‘Our first concern is for the officer who lost his life, his family, his colleagues, and the Worcester law-enforcement community,’ the group said.
‘We extend our deepest condolences to all those affected by this tragedy.
‘The Board of Directors is focused on maintaining the continuity, integrity, and independence of First H.E.L.P.’s mission, programs, and services to the first-responder community and the families we serve,’ the group added.
‘The organization will continue its work in support of those families and the broader first-responder communities.
‘The circumstances surrounding the Worcester investigation are an active matter for law enforcement.
‘First H.E.L.P. will have no further comment on the specific circumstances of the investigation.’
Members of the Massachusetts State Police Special Emergency Response Team (SERT) are seen here searching for Solomon
Police tape is seen here across the front yard of the Wildwood Avenue property in the Webster Square neighborhood of Worcester following the death of Kurt Solomon, 57
The New England Police Benevolent Association said in a statement that Kurt had worked for the department for more than 30 years and had two sons.
‘The New England Police Benevolent Association extends its deepest condolences to the family, friends and fellow officers of Worcester Police Officer Kurt Solomon, a 31-year veteran of the Worcester Police Department and valued member of the NEPBA family,’ the group said.
‘Officer Solomon dedicated more than three decades of his life to serving the City of Worcester.
‘Throughout his distinguished career, he earned the respect of those who served alongside him and was known as an incredibly dependable officer, colleague and friend,’ the statement continued.
‘His loss is being felt deeply throughout the Worcester Police Department, NEPBA Local 911 and our entire Association.
‘Our hearts are especially with Kurt’s sons, Niklas and Brandon; his mother, Shirley; his brothers, Karl and Eric; and all those who knew and loved him as they navigate this unimaginable loss.’
