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Body Found After Search
Authorities found the body of Karen Solomon, a mental health activist sought as a suspect in the killing of her police husband, Worcester Police Officer Kurt Solomon, six days after she disappeared from her Massachusetts home.
“We believe this case involves a tragic homicide-suicide”
Worcester Police Chief Paul Saucier said at a news conference Monday, "We believe this case involves a tragic homicide-suicide," after officers recovered a woman’s corpse and were still awaiting a final ID.
The search that preceded the discovery involved local, state, and federal agencies centered on the couple’s Worcester home and a reservoir about a mile away, with drones, boats, and tracking dogs deployed.
The Associated Press reported that Kurt Solomon was found dead just before 5:30 a.m. on August 18, and that Karen Solomon was last seen on doorbell camera footage walking down a street in a T-shirt, shorts, and sandals just minutes after officers responded.
Investigators said a pistol found near Karen Solomon’s body did not belong to Worcester Police, and they were working to determine who owned it.
Competing Case Framing
While Worcester police described the case as a "tragic murder-suicide," ABC News reported that police believed the death involved Karen Solomon, 58, and that the investigation still had "plenty of work to do as far as wrapping up all the pieces to this."
ABC News also said an arrest warrant issued over the weekend charged Karen Solomon with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon with serious bodily injury, and police handed out flyers with her photo to drivers in the area.
The Guardian likewise quoted Worcester police chief Paul Saucier saying, “We believe this case is a tragic murder-suicide that occurred,” and it reported that a handgun found near her body was not a Worcester police service weapon.
Both outlets tied the search to Worcester and described an intensive law enforcement effort that included local, state and federal agencies, with authorities deploying drones, boats and tracking dogs.
The Guardian added that Kurt Solomon, who had served 31 years with the police department, was mortally injured with a sharp object, and Worcester County District Attorney Joseph Early Jr. said investigators wanted to question Karen Solomon.
Family, Union, and Next Steps
In a statement read by Saucier during Monday’s news conference, the Solomon family thanked law enforcement for helping them find answers, saying, "The nightmare of the past week has left our family heartbroken and rudderless."
“The nightmare of the past week has left our family heartbroken and rudderless”
The Associated Press reported that Kurt Solomon’s wake was scheduled for Tuesday and his funeral for Wednesday, with Worcester police union president Thomas Duffy describing him as “a tremendous human being” who was like family.
Telemundo reported that the Solomon family statement said, "The compassion, dedication, and empathy of all the agencies involved have given us light in the darkness," and it said the chief of police reported Kurt Solomon’s wake and funeral dates.
Authorities also said Kurt Solomon suffered mortal injuries caused by a sharp object, and that his service weapon was not missing, while investigators worked to determine who owned the pistol found near Karen Solomon.
The case remained under investigation as police sought to question Karen Solomon, with an arrest warrant issued for assault with a dangerous weapon and police releasing doorbell camera footage of her walking minutes after officers found her husband’s body.