WORCESTER, Mass. – On Monday, Worcester police announced that they had found the body of Karen Solomon, a 58‑year‑old advocate for police mental‑health issues, near Fairlawn Rehabilitation Hospital. Solomon had been named a suspect after her husband, Officer Kurt Solomon, who served the Worcester Police Department for 31 years, was discovered dead at their home on Tuesday.
Search effort and discovery
The intensive search involved local, state and federal resources, including drones, boats and tracking dogs. Two hospital employees reported finding human remains on the hospital grounds, and officers recovered a woman’s corpse shortly thereafter. While a final identification was still pending at the time of the announcement, police expressed confidence that the remains were those of Karen Solomon.
Police statements
Worcester Police Chief Paul Saucier told reporters, “We believe this case is a tragic murder‑suicide that occurred.” He added that a handgun recovered at the scene was not a Worcester police service weapon, and investigators were working to determine its owner.
Background on Karen Solomon
Karen Solomon was known in the community for founding First H.E.L.P., an organization dedicated to honoring first‑responders who have died by suicide, supporting their families, reducing stigma around mental‑health care, and raising awareness of mental‑health challenges within law‑enforcement and first‑responder circles. She authored two books on the physical and psychological experiences of first responders.
On August 19, police released doorbell‑camera footage showing Solomon walking down a street in a T‑shirt, shorts and flip‑flops minutes after officers responded to the couple’s home and found Officer Solomon’s body. The search area included the neighborhood surrounding the Solomons’ residence and a nearby reservoir about a mile away. Police had warned that she was believed to be armed.
Investigation details
Worcester County District Attorney Joseph Early Jr. confirmed that Solomon had been at the house early Tuesday and that investigators wanted to speak with her about the circumstances surrounding Officer Solomon’s death. Police distributed flyers with her photo to drivers in the area on Wednesday morning.
The case has drawn attention to the ongoing conversation about mental‑health resources for police officers and first responders, a cause Solomon championed throughout her life. While the investigation continues, authorities are focusing on confirming the identity of the recovered remains and determining the ownership of the firearm found at the scene.
Community response
Local residents and first‑responder groups have expressed sorrow over the loss of both the officer and the advocate. First H.E.L.P. released a statement reaffirming its mission to support families of first responders and to continue the work Solomon began.
The Worcester Police Department urges anyone with additional information about the incident to contact them directly.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
