Police believe body found behind rehabilitation hospital is wanted Worcester woman

WORCESTER, Mass. — Police believe that the body of Karen Solomon has been found, days after her Worcester police officer husband was found dead.

The medical examiner will make that final determination, Worcester Police Chief Paul Saucier said. Preliminary evidence suggests Solomon did take her own life.

Karen Solomon had been missing since last Tuesday following the discovery of her husband at the couple’s home.

Solomon was formally charged on Wednesday with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon after Kurt Solomon was found deceased.

The Solomon family did not have a history of domestic abuse, Saucier said, and the situation appeared to be a murder-suicide.

Background

Emergency transmission obtained by Boston 25 detail officials receiving a 911 call from a woman who said a male was lying out in her backyard on Tuesday.

Around 5:50 a.m. that day, 20 minutes after police were first called, the 911 dispatcher attempted to call back the number that first reported the incident.

She said the voicemail stated it belonged to Karen Solomon.

Investigators say surveillance video shows Karen Solomon last seen just before 6 a.m. Tuesday morning on Westcott Street, near her home on Wildwood Avenue.

Since Tuesday, Worcester police have been searching the area, closing down Stearns Tavern and Coes Pond Parks as the manhunt for Solomon continued.

Police are called to Fairlawn Rehabilitation Hospital

On Monday, police said they received a call around noon to Fairlawn Rehabilitation Hospital as two employees had located a deceased body in the woods.

After further examination, they believe the person is Karen Solomon. They located a handgun in the area of the body.

Officials confirmed that the handgun was not Kurt Solomon’s service weapon, but they do believe it’s his. They are working to determine the gun’s owner.

Coes Pond, the focus of their search over the past week, was about 0.6 miles from the hospital.

Police believe body found behind rehabilitation hospital is wanted Worcester woman

Solomon family statement

“The nightmare of the past week has left our family heartbroken and rudderless. The compassion, dedication, and empathy of all the agencies involved have given us light in the face of darkness.
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. We thank the Worcester Police Department, Massachusetts State Police, the Worcester and Holden Fire Department, Auburn Police and Fire Departments, the Quincy Police Department, the Scituate Police Department, the US Marshall Service, Homeland Security Investigations Unit, Us Attorney’s Office, and all of the respective federal partners.
You men and women have taken time out of your lies to help us find answers, if there ever will be any. You have given us comfort knowing that you were working on our behalf, FOR us. God Bless you all.
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 for your basic human compassion.
May God be with us all.
— The Solomon Family

Who is Karen Solomon?

Solomon was the co-founder of a nonprofit called First H.E.L.P, which advocates for the mental health of police officers.

The organization says Solomon has written books and articles about police officer suicide, the impact on families, and the challenges officers face throughout their careers.

Solomon’s biography on the nonprofit’s website states that she is the wife of a police officer and highlights several media appearances, including an appearance on “The Dr. Phil Show.”

Who was Kurt Solomon?

Kurt was a veteran of the department for 31 years. He also served in the United States Army.

His wake will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. at Our Lady of the Angels Church on 1222 Main St., with his funeral scheduled at the church at 11 a.m. on Wednesday.

Both Karen and Kurt Solomon leave behind two adult children.