A mental health advocate, Karen Solomon, was found dead on Monday, six days after disappearing from her home in Massachusetts. Authorities had earlier suspected her in the death of her husband, Worcester Police Officer Kurt Solomon.
Karen was known for advocating improvements and raising awareness about mental health issues among police officers. She disappeared shortly after her husband was discovered dead at their residence on August 18, just before 5:30 a.m. Worcester Police Chief Paul Saucier announced that the situation appears to be a tragic murder-suicide.
Human remains discovered by workers at Fairlawn Rehabilitation Hospital led officers to a woman’s body. A final identification was pending, but authorities expressed confidence it was Karen Solomon. Beside her remains, they found a handgun not associated with the Worcester police department. Investigation continues to trace its ownership.
Authorities had released footage from August 19, showing Karen walking in casual attire shortly after officers arrived at her home to find Kurt’s body. Kurt Solomon, a 31-year veteran of the police force, suffered fatal injuries from a sharp object.
An arrest warrant had been issued for Karen over the weekend. It charged her with assault and battery using a dangerous weapon. Local, state, and federal agencies, including drones, boats, and tracking dogs, launched an intensive search near their Worcester home and a nearby reservoir.
Karen Solomon, aged 58, co-founded the organization First H.E.L.P., which supports police officers’ mental health. She authored two books, “Hearts Beneath the Badge” and “The Price They Pay,” detailing first responders’ physical and psychological challenges. During a 2020 “Dr. Phil” interview, she commented on the lack of support for families of officers who died by suicide.
In a statement read by Chief Saucier, the Solomon family expressed their gratitude to law enforcement for providing some answers during a painful ordeal. “The nightmare of the past week has left our family heartbroken and rudderless,” they stated. “The compassion, dedication, and empathy of all agencies involved have given us light in the face of darkness.”
Kurt Solomon’s wake was planned for Tuesday, with his funeral following on Wednesday. Thomas Duffy, the local police union president, remembered him as “a tremendous human being” akin to family.