By Susannah Sudborough
masslive.com
WORCESTER, Mass. — Authorities located a body believed to be Karen Solomon, who was wanted in connection with the death of her husband, Worcester Patrolman Kurt Solomon, dead near a Worcester rehab facility on Monday after a seven-day search, according to Worcester Police Chief Paul Saucier.
Saucier said during a press conference Monday afternoon that they believe the Solomons’ deaths to be a murder-suicide, but that the couple had no known history of domestic abuse. A gun was found near Karen Solomon’s body, but it was not a service weapon.
Police found the body of Kurt Solomon, 57, a police officer with over 30 years of service, at his Wildwood Avenue home in Worcester around 5:40 a.m. on Aug. 18 . Karen Solomon, 58, has been charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury in connection with his death.
Police dispatch recordings reviewed by MassLive indicate that police were called to the Solomons’ home on Aug. 18 by Karen Solomon. The first officers to arrive at the scene reported seeing blood on the side and back doors of the home. Repeated calls to Karen Solomon’s phone went unanswered.
A gray 2003 Toyota Highlander registered to the couple was also reported missing that morning, and police soon issued an alert for the SUV. Authorities have not said whether the Toyota has been found.
Prior to Monday, Karen Solomon was last seen in Worcester near 200 Mill St., close to Coes Pond, around 5:45 a.m. on Aug. 18, according to police. Coes Pond is approximately a mile from the Solomons’ home. The search for Karen Solomon, which involved local, state and federal authorities, centered around the pond and the surrounding area.
What we know about Karen Solomon
Prior to her husband’s death, Karen Solomon was best known as the co-founder of First H.E.L.P., formerly known as Blue H.E.L.P., a nonprofit that tracks first responder suicides and provides support for their families.
Solomon has published at least two books, “Hearts Beneath the Badge” and “The Price They Pay,” and appeared on at least six talk shows, podcasts and media programs to discuss law enforcement mental health and suicide prevention over the past decade.
In interviews, Solomon frequently framed suicide and mental health as issues that land first on families’ doorsteps — including her own, which includes many first responders, she said.
Worcester police are searching for Karen Solomon, 58, in connection with a death investigation. Worcester Police
During one podcast appearance, she said she was struck by how badly police departments treated officers who needed help, and “how poorly we treat the families after a suicide.”
“Having attempted suicide in my early 20s, I know what it’s like to be there,” she told the host, Wendy Hummel.
Solomon also said her husband was initially uneasy about her advocacy moving “into his space” and the spotlight, but eventually “adapted” and became supportive as her work expanded.
What we know about Kurt Solomon
Kurt Solomon’s former partner, retired Worcester Patrolman Douglas Farber, described him to MassLive as a patient and empathetic police officer.
Solomon started his career with Worcester police doing cruiser patrol along Route 12 and Main Street, according to Farber. Around 2009, he transferred to the bike unit and became partners with Farber.
Solomon’s former partner remembered him most for the compassion he showed the people he interacted with. Solomon would often issue a summons for a minor crime rather than make an arrest, Farber said. And when interacting with someone with substance abuse problems, Solomon preferred to take them to a hospital rather than jail.
“Putting somebody in jail for a small amount of time so they’ll get bailed out — it’s not really gonna help somebody,” he said. “He’d rather help them by getting them either mental health care or hospital care, as opposed to just locking somebody up because they did a minor infraction.”
Kurt Solomon’s wake is scheduled for Tuesday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Our Lady of the Angels Church on Main Street in Worcester. His funeral is set to take place at the church at 11 a.m. on Wednesday.
This is a breaking news story that will be updated with additional information.
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