The body of Karen Solomon, 58, has been found in a wooded area near Fairlawn Rehabilitation Hospital in Worcester, Massachusetts, ending a six-day manhunt. Police confirmed Monday that they believe the remains are Solomon’s, though formal identification is pending from the Medical Examiner. A handgun was recovered near the body, and authorities described the case as a tragic murder-suicide.
The discovery follows the death of Solomon’s husband, Kurt Solomon, a 31-year veteran of the Worcester Police Department, who was found dead at the couple’s home on August 18. Police responded to a report of a person down at the Wildwood Avenue residence just before 5:30 a.m. and found Kurt Solomon deceased. The cause of his death has not been publicly released.
Immediate Developments
1. Discovery of Karen Solomon’s Body
On August 24, two employees at Fairlawn Rehabilitation Hospital reported finding human remains in a wooded area near the facility. Worcester Police Chief Paul Saucier stated that investigators were confident the remains belonged to Solomon, pending final confirmation. A handgun was recovered at the scene, though it was not identified as Kurt Solomon’s service weapon.
2. Official Confirmation of Murder-Suicide
Chief Saucier announced that authorities believe the case is a murder-suicide, though he did not provide details on the sequence of events. He emphasized that the Solomon family had no history of domestic abuse and that the situation appeared to be an isolated tragedy.
Key Details of the Investigation
Timeline of Events
- August 18, 5:28 a.m.: Worcester Police respond to a report of a person down at the Solomon residence. Kurt Solomon is found dead inside the home.
- August 19: Authorities release surveillance footage showing Karen Solomon walking near her home shortly after officers arrived at the residence. She is described as armed and dangerous, and a warrant is issued for her arrest.
- August 20-23: An extensive search involving local, state, and federal agencies—including the U.S. Marshals Service, Homeland Security, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection—focuses on the area around Coes Pond and Fairlawn Rehabilitation Hospital. Drones, boats, and tracking dogs are deployed.
- August 24, 12:40 p.m.: Hospital employees report finding a body in the woods near Fairlawn Rehabilitation Hospital. Police recover the remains and a handgun.
Evidence and Findings
- A handgun was found near Solomon’s body, but it was not Kurt Solomon’s service weapon. Investigators are working to determine the gun’s owner.
- Surveillance video places Karen Solomon near her home around 6 a.m. on August 18, shortly after police arrived at the residence.
- A 911 call was received from a woman reporting a male lying in a backyard on August 18, approximately 20 minutes after police were first called to the Solomon home. The voicemail for the reported number belonged to Karen Solomon.
Background on the Solomons
Karen Solomon was a mental health advocate who co-founded First H.E.L.P., an organization focused on supporting law enforcement officers and their families. She authored books and articles on police mental health and testified before the President’s Commission on Law Enforcement and the Administration of Justice in 2020. Her husband, Kurt Solomon, served with the Worcester Police Department for over three decades and was nearing retirement.
The Solomon family released a statement expressing grief and gratitude for the agencies involved in the search. “The nightmare of the past week has left our family heartbroken and rudderless,” the statement read. “The compassion, dedication, and empathy of all agencies involved have given us light in the face of darkness.”
Ongoing Questions and Next Steps
- The Medical Examiner will determine the final identity of the remains and the cause of death for both individuals.
- Investigators are working to determine the ownership of the handgun found near Solomon’s body.
- The Worcester Police Department has not released details on how Kurt Solomon died or the specific circumstances leading to the alleged murder-suicide.
Authorities continue to urge the public to avoid speculation as the investigation remains active.